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Dissertation 08.10.2026

Cutting emissions from heavy-duty transport requires real data on costs, benefits, and practical limitations

A doctoral dissertation in Industrial Management to be defended at the University of Vaasa examines the energy transition in transport and the decarbonisation of heavy road transport. Clara Rajalehto’s research shows that electricity, biogas, and renewable diesel (HVO) can all be competitive.

News 07.10.2026

How can grid reliability be secured in the future? Professor Hannu Laaksonen emphasises flexible energy solutions

Electricity consumption is expected to increase by as much as 40–50% by 2030 due to the growing number of data centres under construction and the electrification of transport, heating and industry.
– Energy storage, demand-side flexibility, flexible engine power plants and microgrids will all play a major role in the electricity system of the future, says Professor Hannu Laaksonen from the University of Vaasa.

Oana Apostol, Tatiana King, Elina Haapamäki, Erkki Liikanen, Sami Vähämaa, Vanja Piljak, Marko Järvenpää

News 02.10.2026

Chair of the IFRS Foundation Trustees Erkki Liikanen: Accounting and sustainability disclosure standards strengthen investor confidence

Investors cannot make informed decisions without reliable and comparable information about companies. In his guest lecture at the University of Vaasa on 1 October, Erkki Liikanen, Chair of the IFRS Foundation Trustees, highlighted the importance of common international reporting standards for trust, access to finance and a sustainable economy.

News 02.10.2026

From research to business: FlexiPower unlocking the energy flexibility potential of buildings

What if buildings were no longer just energy consumers, but flexible energy resources helping to create a smarter, more resilient, and more sustainable energy system? The FlexiPower research project has shown how buildings can actively support power system balancing and has led to the creation of a startup commercialising the technology.

Media release 01.10.2026

University of Vaasa ranks among the world's top 500 universities and leads Finland in research quality

The University of Vaasa has once again secured its place among the world's top 500 universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2027. The university is ranked in the 451-500 band among 2,297 universities from 118 countries.

Vaasan yliopiston kampus kuvattuna ulkoa syksyllä

News 28.09.2026

Shanghai Ranking: University of Vaasa enters global top 100 in Public Administration

The University of Vaasa has strengthened its position in the prestigious Shanghai Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) 2026, achieving a place among the world's top 100 universities in Public Administration. Ranked in the 76-100 category globally, the university is the only Finnish university included in the field this year.

Dissertation 28.09.2026

New model supports AI adoption in small and medium-sized enterprises

Some small and medium-sized accountancy firms have lagged behind larger firms in adopting artificial intelligence. Both a lack of expertise and investment costs can act as barriers, and now a new maturity model is helping to plan new development initiatives.

Alisa Flinck Pahkasalo seisomassa yliopiston logoseinän edessä

News 18.09.2026

Master’s programme in Strategic Business Development acknowledges Alisa Flinck Pahkasalo’s thesis as the best in 2025

The Best Master’s Thesis in Strategic Business Development in 2025 acknowledgement has been awarded to Alisa Flinck Pahkasalo for her Thesis titled “Leveraging relational buyer-supplier collaboration for supplier sustainability development: Towards Scope 3 emission reductions - A qualitative case study”

Dissertation 17.09.2026

Health and social services reform highlights the need for collaboration in a fragmented system – systemic cooperation still needs building

A doctoral dissertation to be defended at the University of Vaasa contributes to the current debate on the health and social services sector and its development. Marina Kinnunen’s doctoral thesis in Health and Social Management Sciences examines the roles of different actors and their collaboration within the health and social services system.

News 16.09.2026

ICT Systems must become more energy-efficient and long-lasting – universities and TIEKE develop new solutions for businesses

Requirements related to the ecodesign and energy efficiency of ICT equipment will become stricter in the coming years. Energy efficiency, repairability, and long service life will become increasingly important factors in both product development and procurement. At the same time, sustainability, emissions reduction, and energy efficiency are gaining greater importance as decision-making criteria in both the public and private sectors.