The University of Helsinki (UH) has the widest range of disciplines in Finland. It was established in Turku in 1640, but was transferred to Helsinki in 1828. The number of faculties is eleven concentrating on high-level scientific research and researcher education. There are 38,000 degree students and 7,400 staff. The number of degrees taken each year is 4,200, of which 350 are doctorates.

Scientific research is also the basis of the teaching provided by the University. UH participates in more than half of the national Centres of Excellence in Research and has been invited to be a member of the League of European Research Universities, a co-operation body for the leading European research universities. UH has strong international connections: WebALT is just one among 80 co-operation agreements with universities on different continents.

At Helsinki University, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and the Department of Linguistics first initiated and now coordinate the WebALT project.