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News articles

Article type
Avajaiskulkue 2026
Media release 07.09.2026
High-level expertise – in particular, the expertise developed through university education and research – is the most important foundation for Finland’s growth, Rector of the University of Vaasa Minna Martikainen emphasised at the University’s opening ceremony for the academic year on 7 September. According to Martikainen, high-quality university research and education produce new knowledge and innovations, improve productivity and strengthen the capacity of businesses and society to renew themselves.
Elina Bardram
News 07.09.2026
Doctor of Economics Elina Bardram has been selected as the University of Vaasa’s Alumna of the Year. Bardram has built an exceptionally influential international career in climate policy and sustainable development. She currently serves as Director for Climate Resilience and Information Management at the European Commission in Brussels and has led the EU’s negotiating efforts in several major international climate negotiations, including those that resulted in the historic Paris Climate Agreement.
Kaisa Penttinen
Dissertation 04.09.2026
The specialised language used by analysts and management in listed companies' Q&A sessions can be challenging for individual investors to follow. However, Kaisa Penttinen's doctoral dissertation in Accounting at the University of Vaasa shows these sessions still deliver useful information beyond what is disclosed in written reports alone.
Jukka Sihvonen
Media release 03.09.2026
Doctor of Science (Economics and Business Administration) Jukka Sihvonen has been appointed Professor of Accounting at the University of Vaasa as of September. His professorship focuses on business data analytics. Sihvonen specialises in the digital transformation of accounting and finance, particularly in the use of data, analytics and artificial intelligence in business.
Bonnie Buchanan
Media release 01.09.2026
PhD Bonnie Buchanan has been appointed Professor of Finance with a specialisation in Sustainable Finance and Business Transformation in the Energy Transition. An internationally recognised scholar in finance and sustainability, Buchanan joins the University of Vaasa through a strategic profiling initiative funded by a €2.5 million grant awarded by the Research Council of Finland.
Petrelius ja Opoku Acquah
Media release 25.08.2026
The realisation of human rights cannot be taken for granted. It is reflected in matters ranging from asylum decisions to the governance of natural resources. In their doctoral research, University of Vaasa public law doctoral researchers Tiina Petrelius and Ama Opoku Acquah explore how rights are protected in practice in very different contexts.
Civil society organisations
Media release 20.08.2026
When a crisis affects society, the authorities are supported by a broad network of civil society organisations and volunteers. A research consortium led by the University of Vaasa has been selected to investigate the importance, roles, capacity and value of these organisations in contributing to Finland’s comprehensive security and societal resilience.
Ilmakuva kampuksesta
Media release 18.08.2026
The new joint 3.5 + 1.5 model developed by the University of Vaasa and Vaasa University of Applied Sciences (VAMK) enables students to begin master’s studies in economics and business already during their UAS degree and shorten the time to graduation by six months. The University of Vaasa and VAMK are at the forefront in Finland in developing a new type of study pathway that allows students to complete master’s-level studies as part of their Bachelor of Business Administration degree.