Alumni of the Year
Vaasan yliopistoseura (the Vaasa University Society) acts as a panel, to select the Alumni of the Year each year.
Who do you think would be a good choice for the University of Vaasa's Alumni of the Year?
Nominate the Alumni of the Year
The deadline for responses is 15.6.2025. There will be a prize draw for University of Vaasa merchandise among the respondents.
Katja Rajala is the alumna of the year 2024
Chair of the Women Entrepreneurs of Finland Katja Rajala has been elected as the University of Vaasa's Alumna of the Year 2024. Rajala graduated from the University of Vaasa in 2007 with a Master's degree in Social and Health Administration. Her minor was public law.
Jarno Syrjälä is the alumnus of the year 2023
Under-Secretary of State Jarno Syrjälä has been named alumnus of the year 2023 at the University of Vaasa. Syrjälä graduated with a master's degree in economics and business administration in 1988 from the former degree programme in marketing and international trade. Since graduation, he has built an impressive career as a diplomat, and he has also shared his expertise as a lecturer and seminar speaker at the university.
Tiina Helenius is alumni of the Year 2022
Tiina Helenius, the cheif economist of the Mutual Pension Insurance Company Elo is our alumni of the year 2022. Helenius graduated in 1992 with a master's degree in economics.
Jakamo's team is Alumni of the Year 2021
For the first time, a team was awarded as the alumni of the year at the University of Vaasa instead of a person. The award-winning team includes nine founders or core influencers of the growth company Jakamo. They are also alumni or doctoral alumni of the University of Vaasa.
The alumni of the Year are Jarl Matti Anttila, Timo Rossi, Jukka Vesalainen, Matti Manner, Matti Mäkelä, Anssi Uitto, Tapio Niemi, Tommi Ranta, Anssi Kumpula ja Aki Vainio.
Eeva Kalli is Alumni of the Year 2020
The Vaasa University Society has chosen Eeva Kalli as the University of Vaasa Alumni of the year. Eeva Kalli is an excellent example of what the University of Vaasa represents: strong expertise, courage and innovation.
- Read more about Eeva Kalli
- Alumni of the Year award was given at Opening of the Academic Year.
Recording of the Opening of the Academic YearImage
Samuli Manninen is alumni of the Year 2018
Alumni of the Year 2018 is M.Sc. Samuli Mannisen, success full in his business and a very active alumni. He has among other things arranged several alumni meetings in the Helsinki area over the years, thus raising awareness about University of Vaasa.
Previous Alumni of the Year
Previous Alumni of the Year are Anne Korkiakoski, Sari Essayah and Kari Leppilahti.