News articles

Article type

- Any -

News

Media release

Dissertation

Impact case

Podcast

Categories

Professori Jimmy ja Katja Kolehmainen, Finland Investment Institute, University of Vaasa

News 14.10.2026

University of Vaasa seeks new perspectives and collaboration in Silicon Valley

The University of Vaasa and its Finland Investment Institute are participating in Nordic Impact Week activities in Silicon Valley and Stanford Energy Nexus this October. Engagement with researchers, investors, venture capital firms and other stakeholders brings international perspectives into research on Finland’s investment environment.

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.

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.

Dissertation 14.09.2026

Foreign divestments can increase risk for multinationals – risk assessments are crucial

Foreign divestments can be costly, warns doctoral student Arshed Iqbal from the University of Vaasa. As the world around us becomes more challenging, risk assessments are also more important than ever.

News 07.09.2026

Ostrobothnia Chamber of Commerce Award presented to Seyedehsahar Seyedbarhagh – sector coupling enhances energy system flexibility

The Ostrobothnia Chamber of Commerce has awarded University of Vaasa Project Researcher Seyedehsahar Seyedbarhagh a prize of EUR 5,000 for energy-related research. The award was presented at the University of Vaasa’s opening ceremony for the academic year on Monday 7 September.