Vox Cordis University of Vaasa Magazine 4/2014

University of Vaasa Magazine

tional a n r e t In Edition

8 Competent Experts for the Needs of the Future 11 Institutes Combine Expertise 21 International University of Vaasa 28 Equipped for International Business

4/2014

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UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

22 “The most important job an international tutor can do is to be a friend.” – Maija Rossi

10 4 / 2014 Editor-in-chief Maria Mäkelä Subeditor Niina Heikkinen Layout C2 Advertising Printing Fram

Cover photo Photographer, Katja Lösönen Publisher University of Vaasa ISSN 2323-8313 (printed) ISSN 2323-8321 (online publication)

Vox Cordis is the University of Vaasa’s magazine.

The electronic version can be accessed at www.uva.fi/yliopistolehti. The magazine’s name, Vox cordis (the sound of the heart), refers to the University’s own voice and responsible knowledge creation.

University of Vaasa PO Box 700, Wolffintie 34 FI-65101 Vaasa, Finland Tel. +358 29 449 8000

Subscriptions, change of addresses and advertising sales: yliopistolehti@uva.fi

The University of Vaasa educates responsible leaders and experts for the future. The strategic areas of focus for research are energy, management, multilingualism and finance.

Feedback: yliopistolehti@uva.fi

“I’d also really like to get my PhD at the University of Vaasa.”

– Daniel Lucas

“In my 16 years in office I have seen the university become actively international” – Rector Matti Jakobsson

Theme 4 / 2014: Internationalism

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12 Presenting the International Office

4 5 6 8 10 11 12 13 21 22 24 24 25 26 27 28 29

The Word on Campus: This Is Finland Editorial News International Master’s Programmes Useful Business Studies Institutes Combine Expertise Presenting the International Office Small, but with a big heart.

International University of Vaasa International Tutors at Your Service Do You Remember?

Did You Know?

Dissertations My Campus Comic Column Teaching Staff

uva.fi/en facebook.com/vaasanyliopisto instagram.com/UniVaasa uva.fi/linkedin youtube.com/UniversityOfVaasa twitter.com/univaasa

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UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

The Word on Campus

This is Finland smart and good in school

What are Finns like:

modest blue-eyed, blond-haired and whiteskinned

It is the norm to have a sauna in your house

go to the sauna very often

They do the best mobile games in the world, e.g. Angry Birds

good at playing ice hockey

have Nokia mobile phones

do not give up (sisu!)

can cope well with cold weather

listen to black metal

drink a lot of milk

They drink more coffee per person than anyone else in the world, 12 kg per year

always on time (and let you know immediately if they are going to be late)

go to Ikea often What is Finland like?

E E E E E E E

There are no payphones.

Finland has been ranked number 1 in the world for education.

Traffic violation fines depend on how much you earn.

In June and July the sun doesn’t drop below the horizon.

In the winter the sun never reaches the horizon.

Finland has the most heavy metal bands, with 53 per 100 000 people.

Finland created a National Failure Day in 2010.

do not know how to dress

They borrow more books from public libraries than anyone else in the world (18 books per year per person)

good drivers

(Sources: Venere.com, Buzzfeed.com)

UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

Editorial

Energetic and Business-minded University P.S. Learn more: uva.fi/en

T

he University of Vaasa is today a well-profiled business-minded university with strong programmes in business studies, public administration, languages and communication, and technology. Although our university is rather young, approaching the 50-year milestone, our roots lie in our region’s 400-year-old tradition of education, international trade, industry and government. We carry with pride the names of 19th century industrialists Levón, Wolff and Kurtén on the doors of our lecture halls, connecting us to the city’s industrial past.

In my 16 years in office I have seen the university become actively international, with accredited Master’s programmes and an international faculty. Our Master’s and Doctor’s programmes provide opportunities for domestic and international students.

I am especially impressed by the way our faculty, staff and students have adopted the idea of strategic planning and goal-oriented management and leadership in the newly reformed study programmes and research groups.

We have built an appropriate and representative partner network that has helped us successfully gather the basic capital for the university in a recent fund raising campaign.

I thank our donors and partners for their cooperation and hope for continuing interest in the success of our university.

Matti Jakobsson Rector 1998 – 2014

S

cience and the application of scientific insight provide the energy that drives Western economic and cultural develop­ ment. The key significance of universities as engines for development is the reason behind the variety of demands placed on them. For the same reason, universities are in a strong position.

In the current operating environment, the University of Vaasa has every advantage on its side except size. In terms of student numbers we are a small university and it is not realistic to envisage much growth while youth populations in Europe decline. It is also not necessary.

Instead of growth, we need uncompromising, more determined development of quality.

The university’s profile combines scientific knowledge with a practical orientation. The subjects form a whole that provides a wealth of opportunities to turn collaboration into new ideas. The purposeful development of partnerships and an appreciation of our own expertise will drive the university forward.

Rector, Matti Jakobsson, has created a vivid, lively university community that does not shy away from new challenges. This will provide us with the energy we need to move forwards.

Thoughts and deed can change the world. It is the university’s duty to distil thoughts and deeds into knowledge. That is what we will do. With genuine purpose.

Suvi Ronkainen Rector 2015 –

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UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

News

International Conferences at the University Every year, researchers from several disciplines convene at the university for various conferences. In February, researchers in translation, specialised communication and multilingualism will participate in the VAKKI symposium. Every other August, researchers in international marketing meet for the Vaasa International Business conference. The beautiful seaside campus offers modern facilities near the city centre.

Well done!

In January each year, the University of Vaasa marks its anniversary by granting awards for the Teaching Act of the Year and the Research Act of the Year.

University Teacher Minna-Maarit Jaskari received the Teaching Act of the Year award for 2013.

Jaskari completed her doctorate in marketing in December 2013 with a dissertation focusing on the concept workshop method.

The concept workshop was born under the leadership of Marketing Professor Martti Laaksonen. It is a methodology that enables company-specific development projects to be realised using experiential learning methods. Jaskari has led concept workshops for several years with good results, collaborating closely with Aalto University’s design centre, Muova.

The Research Act of the Year award for 2013 was granted to Professor Petri Helo, the leader of the Network Value Systems research group.

Helo’s research combines solutions to economic and business problems with scientific relevance. Helo has been highly effective in acquiring research funding. He is also a successful educator of doctoral students and a publisher of research results. Last year, Helo’s research publications (numbering almost 20) mainly consisted of joint publications with international colleagues and members of research groups.

Read the University’s Research News at uva.fi/researchnews

UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

Suvi Ronkainen Rector of the University of Vaasa 2015 The Board of the University of Vaasa has selected Suvi Ronkainen as the University’s new Rector. Her five-year term of office will begin in early 2015.

Professor Suvi Ronkainen, PhD (Social Science), 52, has worked at the University of Lapland as Director of the Graduate School and Vice-Rector with special responsibility for research. Ronkainen is currently a Professor of Research Methodology. Her interests include knowledge, the applicability of knowledge and interests in ignorance.

Follow us in social media!

EnergyWeek Energises Vaasa energyweek.fi

The criteria for the new Rector were strategic skills, good leadership skills and networking at various levels. The Chairman of the Board of the University of Vaasa, Johnny Åkerholm, says that the nomination working group was looking for an expert leader and visionary with a track record of leadership in the academic research community.

uva.fi/en facebook.com/vaasanyliopisto youtube.com/UniversityOfVaasa instagram.com/UniVaasa uva.fi/linkedin twitter.com/univaasa

V

aasa EnergyWeek, an international conference for the energy sector, will be held for the fourth time in November 2015. During the week there will be five events: the Energy and Environment Seminar, the Vaasa Energy Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (EIEF), Vaasa Wind Exchange & Solar, Renewable Efficient Energy V, and Energy and Buildings.

The Vaasa region is powered by EnergyVaasa, the largest energy cluster in the Nordic countries. The annual Vaasa EnergyWeek offers interesting events and forums for experts and researchers. As a part of the EnergyWeek the university arranges a Renewable Efficient Energy Conference. It is an excellent forum to meet experts in the international fields of renewable energy, distributed energy production and energy technology.

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UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

International

Studying

The University of Vaasa educates competent experts for the needs of the future.

At our university you can complete studies at Bachelor, Master or Doctoral level.

We offer several master’s programmes entirely in English.

Faculty of Business Studies Master’s Degree Programme in International Business

Master’s Degree Programme in Finance

Master’s Programme in Strategic Management

Future Leaders for Global Business

International Specialists in the Financial Market

Gateway to Business Development

Do you want to be a future leader? Are you talented and motivated? Do you have a Bachelor’s degree in international business, management or marketing? This is the twoyear, full-time programme for you.

Do you want a challenging career with a good salary? Are you talented and motivated? Do you have a Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or economics? This is the twoyear, full-time programme for you.

The Master’s Degree Programme in International Business is your gateway to an international career. Our EPAS accreditation is a worldwide quality label in the field of busi­ ness studies.

The Master’s Degree Programme in Finance is your key to a career. Our EPAS accreditation is a worldwide quality label in the field of business studies, and our graduates have been very successful in their careers both in Finland and internationally.

We focus on international strategic management, international marketing mana­ gement, and international human resource management.

With us you will master both current theory and practice of international business. We have good connections with the corporate world and use these both for research and for teaching. The programme also offers a range of country-focused studies, which prepare students to do business in key emerging markets.

Teaching of the programme is based on our high-quality and internationally recognized research groups, who have been rewarded several times for their contributions to the international academic community.

Our high-quality teaching staff and scientific research have placed the Department of Accounting and Finance among the top research centres in Europe, ranking number 10 in Europe and number 1 in the Nordic Countries.

The programme gives you an overview of corporate finance, investments, and option pricing. You can develop a specialisation in the areas of modern finance: corporate finance and investments, such as the evaluation of stocks and bonds, financial markets, option pricing, capital budgeting, cost of capital and long-term financial policy.

An intensive two-year programme leads you to a Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration degree.

An intensive two-year programme leads you to a Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration degree.

efmd.org

efmd.org

Are you planning to develop successful business in the future? Do you have a genuine interest in finance? Have you completed Bachelor’s degree in international business, marketing or management and organization?

This is the two-year, full-time programme for you.

The Master’s Programme in Strategic Management is your way to business. The programme offers you excellent opportunities to work in technology and service companies, in the business-consulting sector, or to pursue the academic career.

You will learn the theory and practice of strategic business development. We also offer a wide range of electives that will enable you to deepen knowledge in areas such as human resource and cross-cultural management. The programme provides you with skills and knowledge required at middle and upper management level in all kinds of businesses and organisations, large or small, public or private.

An intensive two-year programme leads you to a Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration degree.

UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

Master’s Programmes at the University of Vaasa Faculty of Technology

Faculty of Philosophy

Master’s Programme in Industrial Management

Master’s Programme in Communications and Systems Engineering

Master’s Degree Programme in Intercultural Studies in Communication and Administration.

Be Part of the Future

Experts of the Wireless World

Become a World Citizen

Do you wish to combine business with technical skills? Are you interested in environment and energy? Do you have a Bachelor’s degree in business administration or technology? This is the two-year, full-time programme for you.

Are you interested in wireless communication? Do you have a Bachelor’s degree in telecommunication, computer science, production automation, or electrical engineering? This is the two-year, full-time programme for you.

The Master’s Programme in Industrial Management is your key to a career in technology management: a future-oriented area with a good salary.

The Master’s Programme in Communications and Systems Engineering opens many doors, since Finland’s success in the technology sector is highly recognised.

The main focus of the programme is on questions of identity and cultural difference and how these affect people’s behaviour, ways of thinking, and their organised interaction in international, multilingual, and intercultural contexts. Its theoretical framework draws on comparative management sciences, sociology, anthropology, semiotics, linguistics, and literary studies. The unique curriculum concentrates on the interplay of communication, identity and cultures, and the main themes of management sciences.

The programme has close cooperation with high-tech companies in the area, with the advantage of Vaasa’s location in the centre of a growing renewable energy business.

With us you will understand the basics of technology management: to analyse the future of technology, policy and market, and manage research and development projects – not to forget the environmental responsibility.

We provide students with a competence in both telecommunication engineering and computer science, contributing to the current technological demand of professionals in this field. Key subject areas in mobile networks are wireless communication, quality of service, mobility and security. You will also master telecommunication architecture evolution, digital communication and radio technology.

Your knowledge will be useful in hightech companies and businesses with core technologies, in research centres and universities, as well as in the development of regional and national technology policies.

The curriculum is carefully designed with high-quality courses and up-to-date teaching methods.

N.B. For the academic year 2015-16, there is no admission. A renewed Master’s programme will be offered on the academic year 2016–17. The application period to the programme is January–February 2016.

An intensive two-year programme leads you to a Master of Science in Technology degree.

An intensive two-year programme leads you to a Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration degree.

>> uva.fi/masterapplication

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Studying

Useful Business Studies Text NIINA HEIKKINEN Photo KATJA LÖSÖNEN

In 2010, Daniel Lucas, a Canadian, became friends with a Finnish student from Pedersöre whom he met while living in Australia. Lucas visited Finland a couple of times before deciding to move to Vaasa in 2012 and search for a job.

“I moved to Vaasa for three-months, visa-free, with the plan to get a job in Finland which would grant a work residence permit to stay longer,” Lucas says.

However, he soon realised that getting a job in Finland was not as easy as he expected.

Several employers demanded a Master’s degree and he only had a Bachelor’s degree.

During his time in Vaasa, Lucas found out about the international programmes offered by the University of Vaasa.

“At the beginning of 2013 I decided to apply to the University of Vaasa to study on the Master’s Programme in International Business and I got in,” he says.

Representing the programme Daniel Lucas thinks that Vaasa is a pleasant city and he enjoys living here. The MIB programme has also provided rewarding and useful studies. He has not participated in student night-life to a great extent but he has otherwise been actively involved in international student activities.

“I am one of the student representatives of the International Business programme.

I work with the other representative to organise a range of events and activities,” Lucas says.

Work from the university International student activities helped Lucas to find work at the university.

At the beginning of 2014 he was involved in the application process for all international degree programmes at the International Office of University of Vaasa and he now works for the Faculty of Business Studies, analysing the University of Vaasa’s international network of partner universities.

“Over the summer, I also got a two-month internship at a family business in Vaasa via the university’s Vaasa Internship Programme for International Students programme (VIPIS).”

Doctoral studies at the University of Vaasa?

Lucas is currently writing his Master’s thesis and searching for case companies for which he could write his thesis. The future is still undecided.

“I want to stay in Vaasa for a while yet. I’ve got good networks both in Finland and in Canada but I could also move elsewhere depending on where opportunities are available.”

“On the other hand, I’d also really like to get my PhD at the University of Vaasa.”

UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

University

Institutes Combine Expertise Text VIRPI JUPPO

The University of Vaasa’s focus areas are management, energy, multilingualism and finance. The following institutes have been formed to strengthen the cooperation in these areas.

Vaasa Energy Institute (VEI)

Vaasa Management Institute

Institute for Multilingualism

vei.fi

vmi.fi

multilingualism.fi

is an organisation founded by the University of Vaasa, the Levón Institute, the Vaasa University of Applied Sciences and the Novia University of Applied Sciences to combine expertise in the energy sector. VEI offers research, marketing, consulting and additional training services for the energy sector. VEI’s expertise combines commercial and technical know-how in a unique way.

is a cooperation organisation involving the University’s faculties and the Levón Institute that combines the University’s management expertise in one place. The institute is tasked with promoting cross-faculty, interorganisational research and education in management in its interactions with national and international partners.

University’s focus areas: EE EE EE EE

Finance Management Energy Multilingualism

is jointly operated by the University of Vaasa and Åbo Akademi University. Its principal aim is to promote research and education in multilingualism, and to work with stakeholders with an interest in multilingualism and related topics. Multilingualism as a crossprofessional research topic is closely related to the expertise represented at the two universities within fields such as linguistics, education, social sciences, and economic sciences.

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University

Presenting the International Office

Ms Francesca Cucinotta Head of International Relations International Relations and Agreements of the University of Vaasa

Photo KATJA LÖSÖNEN

head.international@uva.fi The International Office of the University of Vaasa supports the internationalisation development of our University. We coordinate exchange studying for incoming and outgoing students, Erasmus+ placements, as well as teacher and personnel exchanges (Erasmus, Nordplus, bilateral agreements). We develop international educational cooperation and manage the University’s international relations and agreements. Our unit supports the development of international programmes and coordinates the admissions to the international Master’s and Doctoral programmes.

We give study counselling, career services and cultural integration training to the international students. International Office also takes care of the University’s international student recruitment and commissioned education.

Mr Juhani Moisio International Exchange Coordinator Outgoing Mobility outgoing.international@uva.fi Ms Annamaria Payer (substitute for Juuli Honko) International Students’ Coordinator Incoming Mobility incoming.international@uva.fi Ms Tiina Rolser International Students’ Coordinator Student Recruitment and International Degree Students degree.international@uva.fi Ms Anne Ahlqvist Coordinator of International Education International Master’s programmes businessfaculty.international@uva.fi Mr Sami Ilomäki Coordinator of International Education International Master’s programmes and Career Guidance faculty.international@uva.fi Ms Maija Rossi Secretary of International Relations Tutoring for International Students and General Inquiries secretary.international@uva.fi

UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

Small, but with a big heart.

Photos KATJA LÖSÖNEN

Young, and therefore flexible and able to adapt to the times. The University of Vaasa educates responsible leaders and experts for the tasks of the future.

This is a promise that can only be made if it’s backed up by real work.

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Part of the Community At the University of Vaasa you can feel at home. The friendly athmosphere supports your learning experience.

UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

MIkko Lehtimäki

The maritime campus of the University of Vaasa is located in Palosaari, which is a short walk away from the city centre. In Vaasa, students study in a beautiful environment with old red-brick cotton factory and fresh, new buildings.

Vaasa is a real student city with more than 12,000 students in higher education units.

The University of Vaasa has more than 5,000 students of which 12 % are international.

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UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

As a business-oriented institution, the University of Vaasa is an internationally and nationally successful, widely networked, multidisciplinary institution for education and research.

Listen. Explain.

Set an Example.

International students coming to Vaasa can select their courses from a wide range of studies in English.

UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

High degree of diversity stimulates learning and creativity while getting the best out of your studies.

Global Mindset. Critical Thinking.

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UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

We have arranged our university’s research operations to be conducted by 16 discipline-specific and multidisciplinary research groups.

The research groups are part of national and international networks.

Research Groups E

Deliberative Welfare Policy

E

Human Resource Management

E

E

Practises and Discourses of Management

E

Business Law, Information and Knowledge

Personality Approach to Leadership and Organizational Behavior

E

Mathematics and Statistics

E

Social and Cultural Phenomena

E

E

SC-Research

E

Intangible capital

International Business and Marketing

E

Renewable Energy

E

Auditing and Control in Accounting

E

E

Smart Electric Systems

E

Finance and Financial Accounting

Consumption Research and Customer Value Creation

E

Networked Value Systems

uva.fi/en/research/groups/

UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

For us responsibility means addressing real problems and finding solutions through research. Over 300 businesses are involved with our research and development projects every year.

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UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

Vaasa Region combines innovative energy technology with unique and beautiful nature and archipelago. The region exports 80 % of its production in the energy section.

Vaasa, the sunny pearl of Finland.

Vaasa is a compact and easily accessible city next to the sea. The multicultural and bilingual (Finnish/Swedish) Vaasa offers culture and activities for all tastes.

UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

International University of Vaasa International Activities in Infographics

In 2013

Half of our graduates have completed part of their studies abroad.

445

the University of Vaasa had 445 exchange students and international internships

The University of Vaasa has

In 2014

415

the University of Vaasa had 415 International degree students.

183

partner universities

40

in countries.

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UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

Essi Vuorenmaa (on the left), Nini Yang, Rovan Pinto, Niina Nermes and Ossi Cavén are one of the tutors that support international students throughout their stay.

Maija Rossi (in the centre) coordinates the tutoring.

UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

Studying

International Tutors at Your Service Text NIINA HEIKKINEN Photo KATJA LÖSÖNEN

Arriving in a foreign country at an unfamiliar university and making new friends are potential sources of culture shock and could make incoming students feel home-sick. To make studying in a new country as painless as possible, expert tutoring is offered to international students.

“Every autumn around 300 new international students arrive at the University of Vaasa and another 60 – 100 arrive in the spring”, tells Maija Rossi, the University of Vaasa’s International Tutor Coordinator and Secretary of International Relations.

“The incoming students include exchange students and degree students studying in international programmes.”

Help and support In 2014, the University of Vaasa recruited 30 international tutors. Each tutor therefore had about ten students to tutor. The duties of an international tutor include contacting incoming students before they arrive in Finland, welcoming them to Vaasa, guiding them during orientation week, helping them to take care of practical matters and staying in contact with them.

“The most important job an international tutor can do is to be a friend, and support international students throughout their stay.

The tutors offer the students a form to be socially connected during their studies”, says Rossi.

“In Vaasa you can combine Finnish culture with the international view provided by the foreign students and the University’s staff.”

Appreciation for the tutors’ activities “The international tutor activities at the University of Vaasa are important. In addition to helping with general things, the tutors organise events for international students, both in small groups and in larger crowds.

Also, there is a Facebook group for all students who are coming to study in Vaasa, where information about practical matters and activities is shared. It is a great platform for networking and making new friends even before the arrival”, tells Rossi.

“I knew what to expect from this country and its people. I really enjoy my time in Vaasa: the beaches, forests, waterfront, city centre, friendly people, exploring nice places, etc.”, Göttling says.

“During the orientation week our tutor showed us the campus and we had a good time. He was very helpful and had the patience to answer my questions.”

Good experiences The tutoring Joana Dailani (Albania) got even before coming to Vaasa helped her a lot, especially in practical, everyday matters.

“I became friends with my tutor and she is actually my first Finnish friend. It was quite easy for me to adjust here in Vaasa. I was almost prepared before coming here – I knew what would be new for me in terms of culture, people and society. But that’s why I chose Finland: I wanted to live somewhere totally different”, Dailani tells.

Janine Göttling (Germany) visited Finland a few years ago.

Panagiotis Georgios Anagnostopoulos (Greece) appreciated the tutoring as well.

“The tutoring was helpful in terms of orientating myself in Vaasa and getting used to the way things work in the city. After a year things took their flow”, Anagnostopoulos tells.

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UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

Do You Remember?

In 2002, the University of Vaasa’s courtyard was alive with activity as international students and staff got to try out wife-carrying* at a party arranged for international students.

*Wife carrying (Finnish: eukonkanto or akankanto) is a sport in which male competitors race while each carrying a female teammate. The objective is for the male to carry the female through a special obstacle track in the fastest time. The sport was first introduced at Sonkajärvi, Finland.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Did You Know?

The University of Vaasa’s northernmost partner university is in Tromso, Norway.

The University of Vaasa’s southernmost partner university is in Temuco, Chile.

UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

Dissertations

Omar Abu-Ella

Juha Tall

17.10.2014, Telecommunications engineering Interference Mitigation Using Group Decoding for the Next Generation Networks

3.10.2014, Management Acquisition and strategic renewal Acta Wasaensia 305. Business Administration 124.

Acta Wasaensia 308. Computer Science 11.

Pete Hokkanen

Alphonse Aklamanu

16.10.2014, Public Law Religious freedom in the multicultural school

12.9.2014, Marketing Retailers’ strategic responses to institutional pressures: The case of Finnish multinational retailers in Russia

Acta Wasaensia 307. Science of Law 13.

Acta Wasaensia 302. Business Administration 122.

Johanna Särkijärvi

Nestori Siponkoski

3.10.2014, Regional studies Development of bank branch networks in Southwest Finland

5.9.2014, English language Translation under negotiation. The textual interplay of translators and editors in contemporary Finnish Shakespeare translation

Acta Wasaensia 306. Regional Studies 13.

Acta Wasaensia 304. Literary and Cultural Studies 8.

Come and join your friends,

Alumni!

Your university career began with you as a fresher but it does not stop when you graduate. The University of Vaasa would like to be by your side throughout your life and career. Join the alumni and we will stay in touch.

What is in it for you?

An electronic alumni newsletter and invitations to events Information about opportunities for further training Current information about the university world A network that can provide advice and support for the challenges you may face in working life

Join the alumni online:

uva.fi/alumni alumni@uva.fi facebook.com/ -> University of Vaasa International Alumni

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UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

My Campus

Beautiful, isn’t it?

What does the University of Vaasa look like to you? Is it made up of people and stories or has a particular detail caught your eye? Share your experiences. Take a photo of everyday life on campus and publish it on Twitter or Instagram using the #univaasa hashtag. The best shots will be published in this column.

univaasa (Instagram)

emiliahaarakoski (Instagram)

ebbalskar (Instagram)

ristosantti (Instagram)

emmwilhemina (Instagram)

mariahlena (Instagram)

saleemur (Instagram)

samicalev (Instagram)

nipehei (Instagram)

UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

Comic

Study

at Open University Open University offers study modules and courses in various subjects. Register for studies on our website and secure your place on a course.

Teaching during evenings and weekends Teaching online All-round education and lifelong learning

uva.fi/en/sites/open/ For more information: Student Office tel. +358 (0)29 449 8190 Student Counselling tel. +358 (0)29 449 8199 avoinyo@uva.fi

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Column

Equipped for International Business The University of Vaasa and its surroundings have always had the mind-set of international trade and co-operation. Situated on the west coast of Finland, with easy access to various countries and places, Vaasa is multinational and multilingual by nature.

I graduated from Vaasa in 1987 with international business and marketing as my major.

In those days, learning international business skills was mostly about understanding different currencies, laws and regulations in international trade. There were a lot of barriers and restrictions at that time and geopolitics were totally different. But this university provided me with all the tools for my career in international business, dedicated to marketing and communications in multicultural companies such as KONE. The University of Vaasa still has a very strong focus on international business skills.

Business studies are supported by very strong language teaching, which makes this unique combination so strong. Companies in the Vaasa region are even bigger and more international today than in the 1980s and they work in strong partnership with our University.

But what does international business mean in daily life on the University campus?

Does it mean that we have more languages spoken in our cafeterias? Is it the variety of nationalities and cultures among our students and employees? How about the content of our studies, covering the various skills needed in international trade? It is all of that. This is what we already have in our campus today.

But on top of that, you need to have passion and courage to get out there. To visit and work in different countries and locations. The international business climate is becoming more global but something very local will always remain. Abroad you will face business traditions and habits that are very different from your own markets. Every day you will learn something new about different cultures, countries, locations, businesses and people.

There is still so much we can’t teach you at universities but your own career will create an opportunity to experience all of that. The University of Vaasa will equip you for your international business career as it did for me almost 30 years ago.

Anne Korkiakoski Member of the Board, the University of Vaasa

“The University of Vaasa has a strong focus on international business skills.�

UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

Meet the Professors

Teaching Staff

Our teaching staff is dedicated to a good learning experience.

Here´s how two of our professors see their job.

Prof. Janne Äijö is

the Programme Manager of the Master’s Degree Programme in Finance.

Prof. Jussi Kantola is the Head of the

Department of Production.

Biography

“We have a strong background in cuttingedge research which is utilised in the courses.

In addition, our programme has a high level of co-operation with national and international universities and different organisations such as the European Central Bank.”

Prof. Äijö highlights the expertise of the teaching staff in the Department of Accounting and Finance at the University of Vaasa: “FRG, a research group organised nowadays by the members of the teaching staff, has a pioneering role in finance research in Finland. Based on its publications of hundreds of scientific articles in international peer-reviewed academic journals, FRG was ranked 10th among European institutions of higher education in terms of finance research productivity in 2004. Students on the Master’s Degree Programme in Finance will benefit greatly from this achievement.”

The department is in close cooperation with global companies. Students have the chance to carry out internships within companies, and many of the students also write their theses for a company.

“Being able to work together and collaborate is becoming more and more important within organisations, especially when working with people from various countries. This need is addressed in the International Master’s programme by offering lots of workshops in many courses.”

Students will meet Professor Kantola on courses in Product and Service Design in Practice and New Knowledge Creation and Organizational Learning in Product Development courses.

Professor Head of the Department of Production Doctor of Technology / Tampere University of Technology (Finland) 2006 PhD / University of Louisville (USA) 1998

Research Expertise

New product and service development Human factor Organisational resource management Fuzzy logic and applications Ontology engineering

Knowledge management

Previous experience

Extensive international academic experience and work experience in the private sector Research and teaching positions at the University of Turku, Tampere University of Technology, University of Girona (Spain), University of Louisville (USA), and KAIST - the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (South Korea

“Work hard, be curious and enjoy the challenges faced not only during your studies but also during your working life.

Finance typically attracts the smartest and most motivated people in business. That of course explains why it is always developing.”

Biography

Professor of Accounting and Finance Programme Manager of the Master’s Degree Programme in Finance PhD in Finance / University of Vaasa

Research Expertise

Financial markets Financial derivatives

“Work hard, be curious and enjoy the challenges faced not only during your studies but also during your working life.”

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Tell the world about the University of Vaasa with University products You can buy University products in good conscience. The University of Vaasa products have been produced mostly by Finnish companies using ecological solutions.

University of Vaasa products also make fun and useful gifts.

P.S. The online store will open soon.

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UNIVERSITY OF VAASA MAGAZINE 4 / 2014

Study.

Do. Master.

Apply by the end of February annually

Master´s Programmes: International Business Finance Strategic Management Industrial Management Communications and Systems Engineering

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