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A road with a clear target

Strategy and values

Focused on sustainable business, energy and society

The University of Vaasa is an international, business-oriented, multidisciplinary university focused on sustainable business, energy and society. Our strategic focus areas are energy transition and technology, business management and governance and society. Via our multidisciplinary schools and research platforms, we solve complex societal challenges by combining expertise in business, technology and governance.

We are a valued partner within Europe's largest energy and environment business cluster, working towards affordable and clean energy, economic growth, industry innovation, and responsible consumption and production.

Kuva
Visio-ikoni

Vision

The University of Vaasa is internationally recognized as a high-impact research university. Research in our focus areas contributes significantly to international scholarship, is increasingly multidisciplinary, and informs both policy and practice. The education we provide offers a transformative learner experience for future employment built on teaching excellence, high-quality learning environments, equality and inclusion. We make a positive societal impact on the economy, energy (transition) and governance.
Kuva
Missio-ikoni

Mission

The University of Vaasa creates and disseminates knowledge to advance sustainable business, energy, and society. Through innovative and high-quality research and education, we address global challenges that support the sustainable development of our learners, collaborators, ecosystems and society, both
regionally and globally.
Kuva
Arvot-ikoni

Values

Courage, Community, Responsibility

University of Vaasa strategy 2030

Document

Research

Research in our focus areas is internationally high-quality. Our key themes are sustainable business, energy and society. Via our research platforms, we conduct challenge- and phenomenon-driven, interdisciplinary
research that makes a difference in the real world, addressing global societal challenges. We emphasise the importance of engaging collaborators from industry and society. Given our location at the heart of Northern Europe's largest energy and environment cluster, it is especially our responsibility to spearhead the promotion of sustainability.

We carry out ethical research that is both sustainable and responsible. We are committed to the principles of open science.

Education

The educational experience at the University of Vaasa emphasises the role of teaching excellence, high-quality learning environments, equality and inclusion and community. At its core, the education experience is built upon cutting-edge, research-based knowledge, utilising the latest advances in technology and digitalisation, engaging the students in the projects and focusing on flexible study pathways and guidance.

We work responsibly towards the integration of domestic and international graduates into Finnish companies, the labour market and society. The university is an important cooperation partner to the City of Vaasa, to the Vaasa innovation ecosystem and to companies, especially those in the Vaasa Energy cluster. Modules within our programmes emphasise work-life relevance, employment, and re-employment in a rapidly changing society. We proactively offer support services to our students through study guidance, mentoring, wellbeing and career development services.

Sustainability and responsibility

Universities have a key role to play in combating and resolving climate change and other crises, in creating the necessary expertise and in fostering a secure and stable society.

An open, inclusive and international community

We are truly international and want to be recognised for our diversity and inclusivity. Our personnel are the key to our success. Our working culture and community are based on equality and non-discrimination.

We are active contributors both nationally and internationally to leading research and educational networks and partnerships. Members of our university community visit, develop and work in scientific communities and companies around the world during different phases of their careers. We also work responsibly towards the integration of international experts into Finnish society.

War in Ukraine – University of Vaasa guidelines