Alexandra Middleton & Elena Zhurova Sæther
The Arctic region faces a significant demographic challenge, characterized by a population decline and youth outmigration projected until 2060. This phenomenon, driven by harsh climatic conditions, limited economic opportunities, and social isolation, threatens the region's future sustainability and development. Universities play a crucial role in mitigating this challenge by attracting, retaining, and integrating young talent into the Arctic workforce. This study investigates the role of institutional settings in facilitating the integration of highly skilled migrants into the Finnish and Norwegian Arctic regions. This paper explores national higher education strategies, employability support mechanisms and the strategies employed by several prominent Arctic universities, University of Oulu and University of Lapland in Finland, and Nord University in Norway, to retain graduating students and foster their engagement and employment in the corresponding Arctic regions. Employing a comparative case study approach, this study analyzes qualitative and quantitative data, including university strategies, government policies, and regional demographic statistics. Additionally, the analysis incorporates relevant sociological theories on employability and social capital, providing a deeper understanding of the factors that influence youth migration decisions. The study also explores the potential conflict between university-led retention strategies and national-level policies, such as the introduction of tuition fees for non-EU students. This policy change, while generating revenue for universities, might impede international student recruitment and contribute to regional brain drain. Finally, this study questions how universities can embed retention strategies into their core functions and foster sustainable long-term solutions to the demographic challenges of the Arctic regions. By understanding the effectiveness of various strategies and potential challenges, stakeholders can collaborate to develop comprehensive approaches to retaining young talent and creating vibrant, sustainable communities in the Arctic and beyond.
