News articles
The University of Vaasa expands its educational offering with three new master’s programmes that respond to the rapidly evolving competence needs of society and working life. The new programmes, Preparedness and Resilience, Artificial Intelligence for Accounting and Finance, and Artificial Intelligence and Analytics, will begin in autumn 2026. They provide students with up‑to‑date expertise, international perspectives, and strong career opportunities. The application period for the new programmes is open 2-31 March 2026.
Professors Petri Välisuo and Catharina von Koskull, who began their full professor positions at the University of Vaasa last year, presented themselves at the university’s anniversary ceremony in January. During the event, they outlined their research areas and ongoing projects. With these experienced professors, the University of Vaasa strengthens its expertise in both technology and marketing research.
The University of Vaasa’s Big Heart Award has been granted to Senior Researcher in Energy Technology Carolin Nuortila. The Big Heart Award is the university’s annual equality and non-discrimination prize, awarded to a person or group that has significantly promoted equality, inclusion, and community within the university.
Doctor of Technology Ali Arslan has started as Professor of Space Data Processing at the University of Vaasa in February, bringing with him a strong expertise in space technology and satellite-based Earth Observation. In his new position, he will focus on integrating space data and artificial intelligence to support the energy transition and climate action.
The University of Vaasa is strengthening its presence in the Helsinki metropolitan area and moving into new, larger premises in the heart of the city. The new Helsinki campus, opening at the end of March, will serve as a base for the University’s students, staff and partners.
The University of Vaasa has appointed Juha Gröhn, former CEO of Atria Plc, as Professor of Practice in Seinäjoki. Gröhn has spent his career in the food industry and played a key role in Atria’s internationalisation. His area of focus will be the growth and competitiveness of the food economy value chain.
LocalTapiola will donate EUR 900,000 to the University of Vaasa for the years 2026–2028. The Growth Spark donation supports multidisciplinary innovation activities related to the energy transition and aims to strengthen students’ competences, advance research, development and innovation activities, and enhance Finland’s competitiveness.
VTT is developing, together with the University of Vaasa, Pääkaupunkiseudun kierrätyskeskus and Emmy Clothing Company, the TexMat deposit-return solution for textile collection that rewards consumers for returning their used clothes.
The University of Vaasa reached a new milestone in the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2026 by securing the number one position in Europe for ‘Citations per Paper’. The university achieved a top score of 100, well above the ranking average of 36.7. This ratio measures the average number of citations obtained per publication, and is a proxy of the impact and quality of the scientific work done by universities.