Tampere University celebrates its 100-year history in 2025
The roots of Tampere University can be traced back one hundred years. In the spring of 1925, the Civic College (Finnish: Kansalaiskorkeakoulu) was established in Helsinki, marking the beginning of education and research in social sciences at the current Tampere University. Sixty years ago, in 1965, Helsinki University of Technology established a subsidiary in Tampere to meet the growing demand for professionals in engineering.
Over the decades, the roots and traditions of these institutions, which later became the University of Tampere and Tampere University of Technology, paved the way for the creation of the multidisciplinary Tampere University we know today. In 2025, Tampere University is a multidisciplinary, international community with approximately 22,500 students and 4,200 employees. The University brings together research and education in technology, health and society.
“The year 2025 is a time to celebrate the history of Tampere University and its significance to Finnish society. We can be proud of our achievements in research and education, while looking to the future with confidence as we continue developing our University for the next 100 years. I hope that together we make the Year of Celebrations an unforgettable experience,” says President Keijo Hämäläinen.
The Year of Celebrations begins with the Light of Knowledge science event
The Light of Knowledge science event (Finnish: Tiedon valoa) on 25 January will kick off the Year of Celebrations 2025. The programme will feature interesting lectures and presentations on topics such as photonics, tissue modelling and robotics.
A lecture titled “Tampere University and the Challenges of Our Time”, which is part of the Studia Generalia series, will be delivered in Finnish at the event. Professor Emeritus of History Pertti Haapala will delve into the past and present of both the University and science, alongside President of Tampere University Keijo Hämäläinen and University Lecturer Mervi Kaarninen, who has studied the history of Tampere University.
Events throughout the year
The Year of Celebrations 2025 will be filled with events at Tampere University. The main event will be the Annual Celebration at Tampere Hall on 10 April. Other key events will include inaugural lectures by new professors in May and the Doctoral Conferment Ceremony in June.
The Studia Generalia series will feature a range of lectures throughout the year, showcasing success stories from Tampere University and exploring societally significant themes and timely topics. This lecture series is open to anyone with a thirst for knowledge.
To mark the Year of Celebrations, the light art Universitas, 2019 by artist Charles Sandison, which is projected onto the façade of the Main Building on the city centre campus (address: Kalevantie 4), will be illuminated in violet every day from 1 to 31 January 2025 between 16:00 and 23:00.
For more information about the events during the Year of Celebrations, please visit our website.
Inquiries: events [at] tuni.fi (events[at]tuni[dot]fi)
