The University of Kuopio (Finnish Kuopion yliopisto) is situated in the town of Kuopio in Eastern Finland. The University's Foundation Act was passed in 1966, and teaching started in 1972. The University of Kuopio has an international reputation in the fields of health, environment and well-being, with particular strengths in biotechnology, biosciences and molecular medicine. The University's latest fields of expertise are business administration and technology education. On the national level, the University contributes to the improvement of well-being and quality of life through its operations of an internationally high quality. On the regional level, the University promotes the vitality of Eastern Finland in particular as well as the development of the Kuopio region and the entire region of Northern Savonia as a growth centre. The University of Kuopio is listed 353rd on The Times Higher Education Supplement 2006 World University Ranking. According to QS world university rankings Kuopio university stands at 267th position in the world in 2007. The University of Kuopio is certified with the ISO 9001:2000 quality management standard. The University contains five faculties: The A.