Tampere University recognises outstanding achievements at the Annual Celebration
The Annual Celebration featured speeches, live music and an awards ceremony. The event attracted an audience of more than 700 people to the Main Auditorium of the Main Building (Päätalo) on the city centre campus. The event was hosted by theatre arts students Vilma Hartikainen and Vincent Kinnunen.
In his opening speech, President of Tampere University Keijo Hämäläinen emphasised the importance of optimism. He noted that we are living in a time when news is often negative and the future is frequently discussed in worried tones, making the role of universities all the more important.
“Universities are not only tasked with analysing the problems facing our world, but also with developing solutions, educating professionals and fostering confidence in a better future. Tampere University is well positioned to contribute to these efforts. Our areas of expertise and strong multidisciplinary focus enable us to address the challenges of our time. A hundred-year history brings with it a sense of responsibility, but above all it gives us the strength to continue looking ahead,” said Hämäläinen.
Teaching Excellence Awards presented to Mikko Lahtinen and Essi Aarnio-Linnanvuori
Tampere University revised its Teaching Excellence Award for 2026 to further highlight the distinctive characteristics of its faculties and the University’s priority areas in research and teaching: technology, health and society. This year, the theme of the award focused on bold and innovative teaching initiatives that contribute to public debate.
Teaching Excellence Awards were presented to Mikko Lahtinen from the Faculty of Management and Business (MAB) and Essi Aarnio-Linnanvuori from the Faculty of Education and Culture (EDU).Together with his students, Lahtinen has implemented an exceptional and pedagogically high-impact teaching initiative that combines research and teaching in a practical manner and fosters strong student engagement.
“During the course, students participated in translating a classic work, making the study of demanding socio-philosophical content meaningful, participatory and research-oriented. This approach effectively supported the achievement of the intended learning outcomes and resulted in a publication that demonstrates the impact of teaching beyond the course itself,” said Vice President for Education Marja Sutela, who presented the award.
Aarnio-Linnanvuori received the award in recognition of her long‑term, research‑based and pedagogically sound teaching that supports the development of students’ expertise and builds sustainable teaching practices.
“Her teaching combines systematic pedagogical development with timely themes relating to society and environmental education as well as demonstrates a strong commitment to students’ learning. Her research activities and her production of textbooks and learning materials enhance the scientific quality and societal impact of teaching beyond Tampere University,” said Sutela.
Honorary mentions were awarded to Professor Päivi Honkatukia and researchers Eeva Puumala and Anna Sofia Suoranta from the Faculty of Social Sciences (SOC). An honorary mention was also granted to a teaching initiative in which upper secondary and university students explored topical societal phenomena through project-based learning.
The Teaching Excellence Award is funded by the University of Tampere Foundation. The recipients were selected by Vice President Marja Sutela based on submitted nominations. Each award is worth €2,000.
The CRITICAL project receives the Open Science Promoter Award
In 2026, the theme of the Open Science Promoter Award focused on the openness of learning and learning materials. The award was presented to the CRITICAL project conducted at the Faculty of Education and Culture (EDU). The project team comprises Carita Kiili, Pirjo Kulju, Riikka Anttonen, Reijo Kupiainen, Antero Linstedt, Kristian Kiili and Elina Hämäläinen. The award was presented by Vice President for Research Tapio Visakorpi.
“The CRITICAL project has produced openly accessible learning materials that support the development of critical digital literacy skills across different levels of education. The materials meet high pedagogical quality standards, and their clarity and the availability of multiple language versions further enhance accessibility and facilitate widespread utilisation. The project is especially important at a time when the vast volume of digital content, along with misinformation and disinformation, is placing growing demands on learning and expertise,” said Visakorpi.
The winner of the Open Science Promoter Award was selected by Vice President for Education Marja Sutela based on nominations submitted by the Open Science Working Group. The award is funded by the University of Tampere Foundation and the Industrial Research Fund at Tampere University of Technology. The award is worth €5,000.
Societal Impact Award for the Tampere Centre for Skills Training and Simulation
Tampere University’s Societal Impact Award was presented to the Tampere Centre for Skills Training and Simulation, a joint training centre operated by Tampere University, Tampere University of Applied Sciences and the Wellbeing Services County of Pirkanmaa. The award was presented by Vice President for Strategic Development Antti Lönnqvist.
“During its decade in existence, the Tampere Centre for Skills Training and Simulation has evolved into a significant educator that makes a considerable impact in the field of health. Each year, the centre welcomes numerous Finnish and international visitor groups, disseminates practical first aid skills to the community, maintains a strong media presence, and runs an engaging and informative Instagram channel,” said Lönnqvist.
The recipient of the Societal Impact Award was selected by Tampere University’s Societal Interaction Council on the basis of submitted nominations. The award is funded by the University of Tampere Foundation and the Industrial Research Fund at Tampere University of Technology. The award is worth €5,000.
Tero Järvinen receives the Innovation Award
Tampere University selected the Innovation Award for the first time this year. The award was presented by Jarmo Takala, Vice President for Stakeholder Relations and Partnerships.
The award was granted to Professor and Chief Orthopaedic Surgeon Tero Järvinen, who, through sustained and long-term efforts, has developed a drug molecule together with his research group that brings new hope to patients suffering from epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a rare and severe skin disorder. The innovation has the potential to improve patient care and, ultimately, save lives.
“Advancing a novel potential drug from research toward clinical use is an exceptionally demanding and rare achievement. The drug molecule is the result of two decades of research and development and years of systematic commercialisation efforts. Both the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have granted both Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease designations to the drug molecule. The innovation has been licensed to Theravia, with Norgine – which has since acquired Theravia – now responsible for its further development,” said Takala.
The recipient of the Innovation Award was selected by a multidisciplinary jury comprising Tampere University staff on the basis of submitted nominations. The award is funded by the University of Tampere Foundation and the Industrial Research Fund at Tampere University of Technology. The award is worth €2,000.
Tampere University’s Research and Innovation Services also recognised Tero Järvinen with the 2025 Inventor of the Year Award. Read the news article.
Marjo Miettinen wins the Alum of the Year Award
President Hämäläinen announced Marjo Miettinen, Chair of the Board at Ensto Oy and an education expert and teacher, as the recipient of Tampere University’s Alum of the Year Award. Miettinen received the award in recognition of her long‑standing advocacy and commitment to the advancement of technology companies, business and education. In her current role at Ensto Oy, which develops sustainable solutions for electricity distribution, she actively promotes the green transition and the development of safe and reliable energy infrastructure.
“Marjo Miettinen demonstrates how expertise in education can foster strong human resource leadership and support the long-term success of a family-owned business, both in Finland and internationally. She brings together human resource development, long‑term ownership and a capacity for renewal in a way that not only translates into success in the technology sector but also generates broader societal impact. This is a prime example of the impact that the education provided by Tampere University can deliver,” said Hämäläinen.
Read more about our Alum of the Year Marjo Miettinen
Awards for doctoral dissertations
In a separate awards ceremony, the University of Tampere Foundation and the Industrial Research Fund at Tampere University of Technology presented awards in recognition of doctoral dissertations approved with distinction.
