Mari Kiviniemi, continuing as Chair of the Board, believes in strengthening the impact of the University of Vaasa
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The University of Vaasa’s new Board will begin its work at the start of January. Continuing as Chair of the Board, Mari Kiviniemi embarks on her new term with a calm yet energetic mindset. She believes that by building on the university’s strengths and focusing on impact, even better results can be achieved.
– Calm, because in recent years we have built a solid foundation: the university has grown in a controlled manner, operational capacity and finances have been strengthened, and our work has had a clear direction. Our skilled and competent staff is also a major asset. Energetic, because challenges will remain in the future, Kiviniemi says.
Kiviniemi sees the Board’s most important task as ensuring that the university’s strategy is reflected in its decisions: where to invest, what to monitor, and how to allocate resources.
– At the core is strengthening the University of Vaasa’s position as a university of science, research, and education – not only in Finland but also internationally. The Board must act as a sparring partner for the Rector and management, helping to respond to changes in the operating environment in time – rather than reacting retrospectively, she emphasises.
The higher education consortium attracts international interest
According to Kiviniemi, the University of Vaasa’s key strengths – sustainable business, energy, and society – are themes that are highly relevant globally and strongly supported by the Vaasa region’s energy cluster.
– I see continued growth ahead, but above all, an opportunity to increase impact. The challenges are familiar: predictability of funding, competition for talent as age cohorts shrink, and how internationalisation works in everyday practice. Mere attraction is not enough – success also requires commitment and integration.
The higher education consortium established in summer 2025 by the University of Vaasa and Vaasa University of Applied Sciences is, in Kiviniemi’s view, significant for both the region and Finland as a whole. It is also an internationally interesting solution.
– By combining the expertise of both institutions, we create a stronger entity for education, RDI activities, and ecosystem collaboration. This enhances our ability to build large-scale partnerships with businesses and the public sector and strengthens our attractiveness internationally.
Towards the 2030 goal
Mari Kiviniemi emphasises that the University of Vaasa’s strategic objectives are clear. In the upcoming term, it will be crucial to ensure that the strategic priorities are reflected in resource allocation, management, and performance indicators: what is being targeted in research, education, and collaboration – and how success is measured.
– We are on a steady path toward our 2030 goal: to be an internationally successful and impactful research university, Kiviniemi says.
Starting in early 2026, the University of Vaasa’s Board will have ten members: four external and six from within the university community. The external members, in addition to Chair Mari Kiviniemi, are Hannu Mäntymaa,Managing Director of Wärtsilä Finland Oy, Jarno Syrjälä, Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and incoming Vice-Chair; and Eriikka Söderström, professional board member.
The internal members are Professors Hannu Laaksonen, Liisa Mäkelä, and Timo Rothovius; other teaching and research staff and other staff representatives Susanna Kultalahti, Senior University Lecturer, and Marja Vettenranta, Subject Area Administrative Manager; and student representative Jenni Hiltunen.
In the photo (top left): Marja Vettenranta, Hannu Mäntymaa, Hannu Laaksonen, Timo Rothovius, (middle left) Susanna Kultalahti, Liisa Mäkelä, Jenni Hiltunen, (front) Mari Kiviniemi, and Jarno Syrjälä.