Viestintä, brändi ja markkinointi
Become a mentee
Would you like help with transitioning to working life, considering career options and identifying your strengths? Would you like to discuss your thoughts or dreams for your future working life with an experienced expert?
Apply for the University of Vaasa mentoring programme. To be eligible for the mentoring programme, you must be an undergraduate student at the University of Vaasa close to graduation who wants coaching in job search, transition to working life and career planning.
Our mentoring programme will assign you an experienced alumnus of the University of Vaasa to act as your mentor, and you will also receive peer support from others participating in the mentoring programme.
As a mentee, you agree to the following.
- The programme will last from 25 September 2023 to 13 May 2024. The joint meetings are all online, the mentee and mentor can decide for themselves if they meet online or live.
- The programme will start on Monday, 25 September 2023 at 16.30–18.30.
- There will be interim meetings on Monday, 11 December 2023 and Monday, 11 March 2024.
- The programme closing event will be on Monday, 13 May 2024 at 16.30–18.30.
- You will meet with your mentor once a month for 1–2 hours. The two of you will schedule things together.
- You will send your mentor a list of desired topics of conversation before each meeting so that your mentor can prepare for the meeting. Responsibility for the topics discussed at the meetings lies with the mentee.
As a mentee, your tasks are as follows.
- You need to set goals and evaluate the achievement of the goals during the process.
- You must be open to confidential discussions about your transition to the world of work and your career plans.
You do not have to have a career plan ready. You can graduate during the mentoring programme. Group meetings will offer support for completing the programme and opportunities to network with the other participants.
Application for the 2023–2024 programme
Application is closed.
Mentor-mentee pairs will be formed after the end of the application period, and selections will be announced by the end of August.
Questions can be sent to: mentorointi@uwasa.fi
Become a mentor
Would you like to help a student with career planning and gift your time and knowledge to a mentee? Do you appreciate discussions where you get to give constructive and honest feedback and to hear the perspectives of a student close to graduation on the field they are studying and their future?
Mentoring is an educational and rewarding experience for both the mentee and the mentor. In discussions, both are allowed to question the other’s views, and the mentor gains new perspectives on their own work. At group meetings, mentors get to know other alumni of the University of Vaasa working in different fields.
As a mentor, you commit to the following.
- The programme will last from September 2023 to May 2024 . The joint meetings are all online, the mentee and mentor can decide for themselves if they meet online or live.
- The programme will start on Monday, 25 September 2023 at 16.30–18.30.
- There will be interim meetings on Monday, 11 December 2023 and Monday, 11 March 2024.
- The programme closing event will be on Monday, 13 May 2024 at 16.30–18.30.
- You will meet with your mentee once a month for 1–2 hours. The two of you will schedule things together.
- Prepare for meetings with your mentee and discuss the topics requested by the mentee.
As a mentor, your task is to:
- encourage and guide your mentee;
- share your knowledge and experiences of working life;
- support your mentee in creating their own networks;
- ask questions and give your mentee an opportunity for their own reflection;
- give feedback and present perspectives.
A mentor does not need to be able to answer all questions or to provide career guidance, study guidance or other support functions. The mentor also does not have to offer a job or a traineeship. Group meetings will offer support for completing the programme and opportunities to network with the other participants.
Application for the 2023–2024 programme
Application is closed.
Mentor-mentee pairs will be formed after the end of the application period, and selections will be announced by the end of August.
Questions can be sent to:: mentorointi@uwasa.fi
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 university’s operations are led by the Rector, appointed by the Board. In this role, the Rector is supported by the Management Group. The University Advisory Board provides a valuable perspective for the university’s development work.
- University collegium
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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 2026–2029
Professor representatives
- Sami Vähämaa (chair), deputy member Annukka Jokipii
- Hannu Makkonen, deputy member Merja Koskela
- Tanja Sihvonen, deputy member Peter Gabrielsson
- Tero Vartiainen, deputy member Jouni Lampinen
- Tomi Kallio, deputy member Marko Kohtamäki
Representatives of other personnel
- Mia Smedlund, deputy member Susanna Laurila
- Kaisu Piirainen, deputy member Ilpo Ojala
- Ulla Laakkonen, deputy member Heidi Troberg
- Tuukka Järvinen, deputy member Katja Sirviö
- Kati Kangasniemi, deputy member Elina Haapamäki
Student representatives 2026–2027
- Elle Koskimies, deputy member Heidi Elers
- Sami Hasunen, deputy member Aleksi Peltosaari
- Julius Pentti, deputy member Erika Strömberg
- Laura Vuorenoja, deputy member Helen Rankaviita
- Muhammad Hamza, deputy member Satu Kuoppamaa
- Board
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The board of the University of Vaasa 2026–2029
- Mari Kiviniemi, former DSG of the OECD, former Prime Minister of Finland, former Managing Director of the Finnish Federation of Commerce (Chair)
- Jarno Syrjälä, Under-Secretary of State (Vice-Chair)
- Jenni Hiltunen, Student, University of Vaasa (2026–2027)
- Susanna Kultalahti, Senior University Lecturer, University of Vaasa
- Hannu Laaksonen, Professor, University of Vaasa
- Liisa Mäkelä, Professor, University of Vaasa
- Hannu Mäntymaa, Managing Director, Wärtsilä Finland
- Timo Rothovius, Professor, University of Vaasa
- Eriikka Söderström, professional board member (2026–2027)
- Marja Vettenranta, Subject Area Administrative Manager, University of Vaasa
Meet the board members and explore the board’s duties
Contact information
Secretary to the Board: University Lawyer Samu Leskinen
Contact person: Executive Assistant Emmi Karjaluoto / emmi.karjaluoto@uwasa.fi - Rector and vice-rectors
- University Advisory Board
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The 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
- Unit Head Tomas Kåberger, Energy excellence unit at Chalmers University of Technology
- Rector Minna Martikainen, University of Vaasa (Chair)
- 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
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 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.
The University of Vaasa Executive Education offers continuing education solutions for organizations and companies. The offerings include the Executive MBA programme as well as customized training tailored to specific organizations and needs.
University services
Administrative services for the university’s schools are provided by the university services unit and its different teams.
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.
Alumni meetings
Has your class been in contact over the years? Do you organise get-togethers with your student friends? We'd love to hear about these meetings, and we'd love to share news about them in the alumni newsletter and on social media. In addition, we could help you with the arrangements.
Alumni meetings
We are happy to help when our alumni want to arrange a meeting. Of course, we hope that the participants of the meeting will join the alumni network so that keeping in touch will be easier.
Our help/support may include:
- Information in an alumni newsletter or on social media channels
- Creating an electronic registration form for the event
- Assisting with the booking of rooms and meals if the event is at the university (Please note, that we do not automatically promise to cover the cost of meals.)
- Organising a university greeting or speaker for the event
Please contact us when you are arranging a meeting. Let's discuss how we can help with your event.
Further information: alumni(a)uwasa.fi