The Finnish Institute in the Middle East is maintained by the Foundation of the Finnish Institute in the Middle East, which aims to support and promote research and teaching in the languages and cultures of the Middle East, as well as the artistic endeavours of Finns in the Middle East. The Foundation also carries out its purpose by giving grants for academic research. The Foundation was established in 1994 by the Finnish Cultural Foundation, the Universities of Helsinki and Joensuu, Åbo Akademi University, the Evangelical Lutheran, Orthodox, and Catholic Churches of Finland, and a number of organizations and individuals.
The board of the Foundation consists of the following experts:
Members of the Board
Chair: Senior Adviser, Dr. Olli Ruohomäki
Vice Chair: Professor Jutta Jokiranta
MA Laura Wickström
Doc. Jyri Komulainen
Dr. Anasse Bouhlal
Lieutenant colonel, DMSc Juha Mäkelä
Professor Saana Svärd
Regional Director Miikka Kallio
Ambassador Kari Kahiluoto
CEO Gunvor Kronman
Deputy members
University lecturer, Dr. Heta Hurskainen
Doc. Ilkka Lindstedt
Dr. Topias Tanskanen
Adviser Laura Huovinen
Doc. Marko Juntunen
Dr. Tiina Järvi
Senior Research Fellow, Dr. Timo R. Stewart
Director of International Cooperation Tero Norjanen
Team leader (CMI), M.Soc.Sc. Maruan El-Krekshi
Director of Life Force Sector, Dr. Maria Leppäkari
