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. 

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

The board of the University of Vaasa 2022–2025

  • Mari Kiviniemi, former DSG of the OECD, former Prime Minister of Finland, former Managing Director of the Finnish Federation of Commerce (Chair)
  • Juha Kytölä, Chief Technology Officer, Wärtsilä (Vice-Chair)
  • Mervi Airaksinen, CEO, Microsoft Oy
  • Timo Aukia, CEO, Jaakko Aukia Oy
  • Marko Kohtamäki, Professor, University of Vaasa
  • Susanna Kultalahti, Post Doc Researcher, University of Vaasa
  • Elmo Paloniemi, Student, University of Vaasa (2024–2025)
  • Timo Rothovius, Professor, University of Vaasa
  • Tommi Sottinen, Professor, University of Vaasa
  • Markku Stenborg, Financial Advisor, Ministry of Finance
  • Marja Vettenranta, Supervisory Education Coordinator, 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

Meet the Rectors
Minna Martikainen

Minna Martikainen

Rector
University of Vaasa > University Services
Open profile page
Mika Grundström

Mika Grundström

Vice-Rector
University of Vaasa > University Services
mika.grundstrom [at] uwasa.fi
+358294498786
Open profile page
Martin Meyer

Martin Meyer

Vice-Rector
University of Vaasa > University Services
martin.meyer [at] uwasa.fi
+358294498629
Open profile page
Tanja Risikko

Tanja Risikko

Vice-Rector
University of Vaasa > University Services
tanja.risikko [at] uwasa.fi
+358294498612
Open profile page

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

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. 

University services

Administrative services for the university’s schools are provided by the university services unit and its different teams.