Strategy 2035
Focused on sustainable business, energy and society
We are an international, business- and society-integrated, multidisciplinary research university. Through our research and education, we focus on developing future solutions for sustainable business, the energy transition, and a resilient society.
Working at the heart of the Nordic region’s largest energy technology hub, we collaborate closely with businesses and society to turn knowledge into impact. Through research, innovation, and partnerships, we advance clean energy, responsible consumption and production, and sustainable economic growth.
Vision
Mission
solutions for global challenges related to sustainable business, the energy transition, and a resilient society.
Values
We value courage as the driving force behind our innovative and agile approach, empowering our community to experiment and pilot new initiatives. We foster a strong sense of community built on equality, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring that all members feel supported and connected. Responsibility guides our commitment to ethical conduct, sustainable practices, and meaningful societal impact across all areas of university life.
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 University of Vaasa provides internationally high-quality, research-based education that prepares graduates for sustainable careers, lifelong learning, and responsible citizenship. We offer a future-oriented study experience that prepares students for working life through top-quality teaching, cutting-edge research, and modern learning environments. Our students benefit from the latest technology, digital tools, engaging project-based learning, flexible study paths, and personalised guidance.
We strengthen the international student community and support the integration of international students into the university, the region, and Finnish working life.
In renewing education, we emphasise flexible and individual learning pathways, multidisciplinarity, and new ways of combining expertise in technology, business, and other fields.
Cooperation
Our strength lies in internationally relevant research and strong partnerships across regional and global innovation ecosystems, rooted in our location at the heart of Northern Europe’s largest energy and environment cluster. Partnerships enhance the impact of our research, support the development of new solutions, and promote the transfer of knowledge into society. Advancing the energy transition and climate change mitigation guides how we internationalise and whom we partner with.
An open, inclusive and international community
Our success is built on the expertise and dedication of our researchers, teachers, and experts. We build a work community that is supportive, inclusive, and inspiring, and that provides people with the best possible opportunities to succeed and develop. By investing in wellbeing, supervisory work, competence development, and rewarding, the university continues to build an inclusive and collaborative culture.
By 2035, a substantially larger share of our students and faculty will come from abroad, making us a truly international academic community recognised for its diversity and inclusivity.