Viestintä, brändi ja markkinointi
Organisation and management
University management
The highest decision-making body of the University of Vaasa is the board which is appointed by the university collegium. The board chooses a rector who leads the operations of the university. The rector is supported in their tasks by the management team. The International Advisory Board brings a valuable insight into the development of the university.
Schools
The University of Vaasa has four schools for research and teaching: the School of Management, the School of Accounting and Finance, the School of Marketing and Communication, and the School of Technology and Innovations.
Research platforms
The University of Vaasa also has four open, multidisciplinary research platforms: Vaasa Energy Business Innovation Centre VEBIC, Digital Economy, Preparedness and Resilience, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship InnoLab.
Affiliated institutions
Affiliated institutions of the University of Vaasa are the language centre Linginno, and the academic library Tritonia.
University services
Administrative services for the university’s schools are provided by the university services unit and its different teams.
International Advisory Board
The International Advisory Board of the University of Vaasa brings a valuable insight into the development of the university.
The members of the Advisory Board are:
- General Director Anders Ahnlid, National Board of Trade Sweden
- Professor Agnes Cheng, Oklahoma University
- Director Riikka Heikinheimo, Confederation of Finnish Industries
- Mayor Tomas Häyry, City of Vaasa
- Managing Director Hannu Mäntymaa, Wärtsilä Finland
- Finnish Member of the European Parliament Sirpa Pietikäinen
- President Timo Ritakallio, OP Financial Group
- Professor James L. Smith, Edwin L. Cox School of Business Southern Methodist University
- President Karen Spens, BI Norwegian Business School
- Country Managing Director Finland Pekka Tiitinen, ABB Finland
- President-Rector Bruno Van Pottelsberg, Corvinus University of Budapest
University collegium
The university collegium consists of 15 members of the university community. The members of the collegium represent professors, other teachers, researchers, and other personnel as well as students.
Members of the university collegium 2022–2025
Professor representatives
- Sami Vähämaa, deputy member Hannu Piekkola
- Hannu Makkonen, deputy member Tanja Sihvonen
- Jouni Lampinen, deputy member Tero Vartiainen
- Riitta Viitala, deputy member Adam Smale
- Arto Ojala, deputy member Merja Koskela
Representatives of other personnel
- Tuukka Järvinen, deputy member Niina Nissilä
- Kaisu Piirainen, deputy member Sunna Vainiomaa
- Ulla Laakkonen, deputy member Hanna Snellman
- Mia Smedlund, deputy member Heli Katajamäki
- Laura Perttola, deputy member Kaisu Säilä
Student representatives 2022–2023
- Lili Tyynismaa, deputy member Laura Karppinen
- Vappu Vuori, deputy member Eevi Ursin
- Jaber McBreen, deputy member Joona Malinen
- Elli Uusi-Kokko, deputy member Ida Kettuoja
- Mikko Nieminen, deputy member Darius Rahim
Alumni of the Year
Alumni of the Year honorary title is given to alumni who have used the abilities they have acquired at the university in a positive way and increased the interaction among the university, the society, and the economy and inspired other alumni.
Vaasan yliopistoseura (the Vaasa University Society) acts as a panel, to select the Alumni of the Year each year.
Who do you think would be a good choice for the University of Vaasa's Alumni of the Year?
Nominate the Alumni of the Year
The deadline for responses is 15.6.2025. There will be a prize draw for University of Vaasa merchandise among the respondents.
Katja Rajala is the alumna of the year 2024
Chair of the Women Entrepreneurs of Finland Katja Rajala has been elected as the University of Vaasa's Alumna of the Year 2024. Rajala graduated from the University of Vaasa in 2007 with a Master's degree in Social and Health Administration. Her minor was public law.
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Jarno Syrjälä is the alumnus of the year 2023
Under-Secretary of State Jarno Syrjälä has been named alumnus of the year 2023 at the University of Vaasa. Syrjälä graduated with a master's degree in economics and business administration in 1988 from the former degree programme in marketing and international trade. Since graduation, he has built an impressive career as a diplomat, and he has also shared his expertise as a lecturer and seminar speaker at the university.
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Tiina Helenius is alumni of the Year 2022
Tiina Helenius, the cheif economist of the Mutual Pension Insurance Company Elo is our alumni of the year 2022. Helenius graduated in 1992 with a master's degree in economics.
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Jakamo's team is Alumni of the Year 2021
For the first time, a team was awarded as the alumni of the year at the University of Vaasa instead of a person. The award-winning team includes nine founders or core influencers of the growth company Jakamo. They are also alumni or doctoral alumni of the University of Vaasa.
The alumni of the Year are Jarl Matti Anttila, Timo Rossi, Jukka Vesalainen, Matti Manner, Matti Mäkelä, Anssi Uitto, Tapio Niemi, Tommi Ranta, Anssi Kumpula ja Aki Vainio.
Eeva Kalli is Alumni of the Year 2020
The Vaasa University Society has chosen Eeva Kalli as the University of Vaasa Alumni of the year. Eeva Kalli is an excellent example of what the University of Vaasa represents: strong expertise, courage and innovation.
- Read more about Eeva Kalli
- Alumni of the Year award was given at Opening of the Academic Year.
Recording of the Opening of the Academic YearImage
Samuli Manninen is alumni of the Year 2018
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Alumni of the Year 2018 is M.Sc. Samuli Mannisen, success full in his business and a very active alumni. He has among other things arranged several alumni meetings in the Helsinki area over the years, thus raising awareness about University of Vaasa.
Previous Alumni of the Year
Previous Alumni of the Year are Anne Korkiakoski, Sari Essayah and Kari Leppilahti.