Professor Sami Vähämaa to continue as the Chair of the University Collegium
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Professor Sami Vähämaa will continue as the Chair of the University Collegium for a new term from 2026 to 2029. Vähämaa has served as the Chair of the Collegium since 2022.
– I greatly appreciate the opportunity to continue as the Chair of the University Collegium. In this role, I want to ensure that the Collegium fulfils the duties assigned to it under the Universities Act and contributes to the development of the University as an internationally influential and respected research university, Vähämaa says.
Kaisu Piirainen, the Head of Administrative Services, was elected as the 1st Vice Chair of the Collegium for the term 2026–2029, and student representative Julius Pentti, the Chair of the Student Union Council of the University of Vaasa, was elected as the 2nd Vice Chair for the term 2026–2027.
The Collegium is the highest administrative and supervisory body of the University. Its key responsibilities include deciding on the composition of the University Board, appointing the external members of the Board, confirming the University’s financial statements and annual report, and overseeing the administration and operations of the University.
The Collegium consists of 15 members: five represent the professors, five represent the teaching and research staff as well as other personnel, and five represent students. Staff representatives are elected in internal elections, while student representatives are appointed by the Student Union.
See the composition of the University Collegium for the 2026–2029 term.