Annual Report 2025
Strong Growth and Impact
“The year 2025 was a time of development and renewal for Vaasa University of Applied Sciences. Our activities expanded in both education and research, development, and innovation (RDI). We achieved several strategic goals. In 2025, significantly more students graduated on schedule than in 2024. In addition, the number of Master’s-level degrees in particular, as well as external RDI funding, exceeded expectations. We would like to thank our students, staff, and partners for a successful year. VAMK will continue to grow responsibly, boldly renewing itself while strengthening regional vitality. Moving forward together!”
– President, CEO Hannu Vahtera
Bold and New Knowledge Creation for Finnish Export and Growth
In June 2025, the University of Vaasa and Vaasa University of Applied Sciences formed a joint higher education consortium that dares to be different. We are a bold pioneer combining academic depth with practical know-how. We operate as a winning ecosystem player at the heart of sustainable growth and the wellbeing economy.
Together, we build a knowledge-driven ecosystem where education, research, and innovation integrate seamlessly with societal, regional, and global needs. Our expertise focuses on the energy transition, wellbeing economy, digitalisation, and international business. We educate the future makers who will shape Finland – and beyond.
RDI and Business – Strategy-Driven Growth and Impact
VAMK’s Strategy 2035, Towards a Wellbeing Economy, guided the development of research, development and innovation activities and business operations in 2025 in line with clearly selected focus areas. Strategy-driven development work has been highly productive. In 2025, the growth of the VAMK’s external RDI funding was the highest among universities of applied sciences in Finland in relative terms.
Our article series explores growth from multiple perspectives: comprehensive security, responsibility, sustainability, and inclusion. Wellbeing, trust, and the courage to renew thinking are at the core, as well as innovations born at the intersections where education and business meet.
Sustainable Development and Responsibility at VAMK in 2025
Vaasa University of Applied Sciences contributes to accelerating the clean transition of the energy sector by educating experts and providing continuing education for those already working in the field. A key part of responsible operations also includes increasing and strengthening ethical practices. Below is a summary of the sustainability actions taken in 2025.
ODDS Hub Speeds up Innovations in Dual-use and Defence Technology
Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu on käynnistänyt ODDS Hubin edistämään yhteistyötä puolustusteollisuuden ja kaksoiskäyttöteknologian alalla erityisesti Pohjanmaalla.
ODDS offers SMEs, startups and research centres an innovation ecosystem and a possibility to network, strengthening the conditions for technological development.
AIMday Focused on Intelligent and Secure Energy System Integration
Vaasa University of Applied Sciences promotes innovative collaborations by implementing the AIMday concept as first university in Finland. AIMday, developed by Uupsala University, connects universities and companies to solve current challenges with low threshold.
AIMday is a one-day event where companies have, in advance, defined specific challenges related to a selected theme. The questions and needs presented by companies and other stakeholders from working life form the core structure of the event day.
