Rector Minna Martikainen at the University of Vaasa anniversary celebration: “High-level knowledge is Finland’s essential strength”

In her speech, Rector Minna Martikainen highlighted that high-level expertise and knowledge as a key asset for Finland, both in terms of security of supply and economic growth. 

– A better future does not happen by chance. It comes only by building high-level expertise in a timely and long-term manner. Without a sufficient and predictable supply of skilled professionals, we are unable to attract the foreign capital needed to support investment and competitive, sustainable growth. We cannot constantly save on education and research without simultaneously weakening our country’s future, Martikainen said. 

According to Rector Martikainen, Finland’s higher education attainment among young age groups currently lags behind many other OECD countries. The shared view of Finnish universities is that by 2040, 60 per cent of young people should hold a higher education degree. 

–  While Finland is investing – quite rightly – in national defence and material security of supply, we cannot afford to weaken the security and resilience of our country’s knowledge capital.  As we grow and develop our education, we strengthen Finland’s overall competence base as a profiled university. This is an investment in our country’s competitiveness, economic growth and resilience, Martikainen said. 

Heidi Backman: “The University of Vaasa has built its profile on the region’s strengths and Finland’s needs” 

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In her ceremonial speech, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Heidi Backman, emphasised how important it is that the education system produces expertise for critical sectors to safeguard national resilience. 

– Whatever direction the world may take, Finland can succeed only if it invests in education, competence, research, RDI activities and culture. The University of Vaasa has built its profile on the strengths of the region and, at the same time, on the needs of Finland. Its graduates understand the combined competencies of economics, technology, and governance. These are exactly the kinds of experts that the critical sectors of society require. 

Joakim Strand: “At the University of Vaasa, top-level energy research, international partnerships, industry collaboration and student multiculturalism come together” 

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In his ceremonial address, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering, Joakim Strand, highlighted the EU’s role as a guarantor of democracy and competence, as well as the University of Vaasa’s position as an educator of experts and a creator of new knowledge. 

–  The European Union has become a global powerhouse of expertise through education, research and RDI activities. At the University of Vaasa, top-level energy research, international partnerships, industry collaboration and student multiculturalism converge. The Vaasa energy cluster is the most significant in Northern Europe, and the university serves as the heart of this ecosystem –  producing experts, generating new knowledge and strengthening Finland’s position among the leading countries in European research. 

–  When democracy is challenged globally, the EU’s common voice is heard and has an impact in a way that no single member state could achieve alone. The EU and the rest of the world will continue to face challenges. Solving them requires new kinds of expertise –  expertise that can only emerge in ambitious, international and multidisciplinary environments. Exactly the kind of environments in which the University of Vaasa operates. 

University of Vaasa awarded its best research and teaching acts 

During the anniversary celebration, the University of Vaasa awarded the Research and Teaching Acts of the Year along with the awards and honorary mentions granted by the Student Union of the University of Vaasa. Professor Sami Vähämaa from the School of Accounting and Finance received the Research Act of the Year Award for his paper on companies’ environmental responsibility. Professor of Practise Elina Melgin, Professor Rebekah Rousi and Researcher Hanna Hietikko received the Teaching Act of the Year award for the course Luova tapahtumatuotanto ja markkinointiviestintä (Creative Event Production and Marketing Communication).  

The Student Union’s  Good Teacher award was given to University Teacher Otto Ellonen, and an honourable mention was awarded to University Teacher Mirjam Särs. This year, the Student Union also presented the Good Supervisor award to University Lecturer Laura Perttola. Read more about the awards.

Watch the recording of the event