About us
Laurea as an organisation
Laurea University of Applied Sciences is a university operating on six campuses in Uusimaa. Our community includes approximately 11 000 students, 670 staff members and over than 39 000 alumni.
Students in total
11 300
Number of staff
712
Degrees per year
2 700
External R&D funding
7,4 miljoonaa
Laurea’s values
Openness
Openness means transparency and the open sharing and use of expertise, knowledge and materials. Openness develops teaching contents and methods and improves the quality of RDI activities and access to information.
Impact
Laurea’s societal impact means the development of competence and the ability to renew for our working-life partners and students, and the creation of new knowledge and solutions in RDI activities.
Responsibility
Responsibility means taking responsibility for the results of one’s work and working together. A person at Laurea acts ethically, student- and customer-centredly and supports the success of the student and the partner responsibly. Laurea takes into account economically, socially and ecologically sustainable development in all its activities.
Strategy 2035
Mission and vision
The university’s mission describes Laurea’s reason for existing as a builder of society. Vision 2035 describes the target state through which we ensure the development and continuity of operations in a challenging competitive situation.
Mission – We create a sustainable future together with working life
Vision – An internationally competitive university of applied sciences
Organisation
The President, CEO of Laurea University of Applied Sciences is Jouni Koski. The President acts as the managing director in accordance with the Companies Act. The President leads the operations of the university of applied sciences and decides on matters concerning the university of applied sciences that are not provided for or assigned to another body. The chairman of the company’s board of directors is Ira Hietanen-Tanskanen.
Governing bodies
Chair and members of the Board for the term 2025 – 2027
- Ira Hietanen-Tanskanen, chair, ira.m.hietanen@gmail.com
- Tom Östlund, tom.ostlund@outlook.com
- Perttu Koistinen, perttu.k@gmail.com
- Tiina Davidsainen, tiina.davidsainen@gmail.com
- Petri Graeffe, vice chair, petri.graeffe@gmail.com
- Tapani Eskola, tapani.eskola@jhl.fi
- Johanna Juselius, vice chair, jjuselius@hotmail.com
- Ville Saarikoski, ville.saarikoski@laurea.fi
- Sanna Ilves, sanna.ilves@laureamko.fi
- Presenter: CEO Jouni Koski,(09) 8868 7660, jouni.koski@laurea.fi
- Secretary: Development Manager Sonja Ojanen, sonja.ojanen@laurea.fi
Management team
The task of the management team is to assist the President in leading and developing Laurea. The members of the management team include the rectorate (President and Deputy Rectors) and other managers the President may appoint.
The rectorate functions as the working committee of the management team; it also participates in the work of the board of Laurea University of Applied Sciences Ltd and supports the President in preparing matters for the board.
Members of the management team:
- Kimmo Hannonen, Deputy Rector, Support Services
- Valdemar Kallunki, Director, Master’s degree unit (YAMK)
- Jouni Koski, Chair, President and CEO
- Tanja Johansson, Director, Unit for Business, Computing and Service Fields
- Salla Seppänen, Director, Social and Health Care Unit
- Susanna Rosell, Chief Financial Officer
- Katri Ojasalo, Deputy Rector, Education
- Krista Pahkin, Business Director
- Tiina Päivärinne, HR Director
- Mari Vuolteenaho, Deputy Rector, RDI
- Teemu Ylikoski, Director, Digitalisation Development and Steering, Communications and Marketing
- Sonja Ojanen, Development Manager, Management Team Secretary
The email addresses of the members of the management team are in the form firstname.lastname@laurea.fi
Regional advisory committees
The task of the regional advisory committees is to improve Laurea’s competitiveness by strengthening Laurea’s connection to the innovation system and societal decision-making.
Laurea’s regional advisory committee is an expert forum that initiates the development and implementation of regional strategies and programmes and, upon request, gives statements to promote the development of the region or its working life.
Laurea has three regional advisory committees: Espoo and Lohja, Central and Northern Uusimaa, and Porvoo and Vantaa. The current term of the advisory committees is 2025 – 2029. The members represent the civil leadership of the shareholders of Laurea University of Applied Sciences Ltd, business life, regional development and innovation authorities and organisations, other education providers and other expertise deemed necessary.
The task of the regional advisory committees is to improve Laurea’s competitiveness by strengthening Laurea’s connection to the innovation system and societal decision-making.
Tasks of the regional advisory committee:
- participates in Laurea’s quality assurance regarding the regional development mission
- makes proposals concerning research, development and service activities
- makes proposals for Laurea’s education products and their development
- monitors and evaluates their implementation
Members of the Espoo – Lohja regional advisory committee
Ainola, Tia, Microsoft Oy
Antola, Tuula, Espoo Region Joint Education Consortium Omnia
Anttila, Jenni, Eckerö Line Ab Oy
Haakila Costa, Toni, City of Espoo
Hakkarainen, Timo, Länsi-Uudenmaan koulutuskuntayhtymä Luksia
Ituarte, Annu, Municipality of Kirkkonummi
Karsi, Karri, City of Espoo
Karvonen, Matti, Ravintola Factory / Ravintolatalot Oy
Kettula, Joel, Finnish Association of Restaurant Graduates Sure ry
Kinnunen, Esa, Espoo Entrepreneurs ry
Knaapinen, Tommi, West Uusimaa Chamber of Commerce
Koskimies-Sirén, Tuula, City of Kauniainen
Laine, Sami, Yliopiston Apteekki Oy
Luoma, Pekka, Länsi-Uudenmaan koulutuskuntayhtymä Luksia
Manninen, Marja, HyTe ry
Morbin, Petra (chair), City of Espoo
Mozaffari, Bahar, City of Espoo
Nuotio, Tuomas, Go Strong Oy
Pahikainen, Tiina, West Uusimaa Welfare Area
Pauna, Anne, Nursing Association
Ruotsalainen, Markku, City of Espoo
Räsänen, Pekka, Länsi-Uudenmaan koulutuskuntayhtymä Luksia
Saaristo, Vesa, Dieta Oy
Salminen, Siiri, City of Espoo
Talasto, Kati, Kesko Oy
Turja, Turo, Esperi Care Oy
Vartiainen, Suvi, City of Espoo
Äikäs, Saija, Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce
Members of the Central and Northern Uusimaa regional advisory committee
Boman, Tom, Keski-Uudenmaan koulutuskuntayhtymä Keuda
Heinimäki, Marja, Riihimäki-Hyvinkää Chamber of Commerce
Honkanen, Marjukka, City of Hyvinkää
Hostio, Monica, Keusote
Ikkelä, Kalle (chair), Keski-Uudenmaan koulutuskuntayhtymä Keuda
Kopra, Joonas, City of Hyvinkää
Kortelainen, Tuula, Hyria Education Oy
Koski, Kimmo, CSC – IT Center for Science Ltd
Laurila Hannu, Municipality of Mäntsälä
Leinonen, Anna Mari, Keski-Uudenmaan koulutuskuntayhtymä Keuda
Leinonen, Juha, Mäntsälä Business Development Oy
Manssila, Jaana, Talentia ry (Trade Union for Professional Social Workers)
Martikainen, Kimmo, Rantalainen Oy
Ovaska, Petri, Uusimaa Entrepreneurs
Pekkarinen, Elina, Keuke Oy, Central Uusimaa Development Centre
Pyykkölä, Markku, Keski-Uudenmaan koulutuskuntayhtymä Keuda
Rahko, Riitta, Kaarikeskus Oy
Rainio, Jaakko, City of Hyvinkää
Rontu, Kirsi, City of Kerava
Sipiläinen, Toni, Neljä Astetta Oy
Teppinen, Marja, Keski-Uudenmaan koulutuskuntayhtymä Keuda
Torvinen, Manna, Recycling Centre Oy
Vanhatalo, Heidi, Hyvinkää Entrepreneurs ry., Salonkiravintola Neilikka Oy
Members of the Vantaa – Porvoo regional advisory committee
Ek, Satu, City of Vantaa
Gustafsson, Sari, City of Porvoo
Havia, Maria, Mutual Insurance Company Fennia
Helvola, Simo, City of Vantaa
Hildén, Joni, City of Vantaa
Kallionpää, Petri (chair), City of Vantaa
Knaapinen, Petri, Uusimaa ELY Centre
Koponen, Tuulia, HUS Porvoo Hospital
Kurtti, Juha, Tehy ry (Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors)
Lampi, Armi, Betesda Services Oy
Louhelainen, Hannele, Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ)
Lumiaro, Heli, Vantaa Organisational Network ry
Mattila, Janne, Social Insurance Institution Kela
Männikkö, Ari, City of Vantaa
Mänttäri, Esa, Vantaa Entrepreneurs ry
Petäjä, Pasi, Eximia AI Technologies Oy
Ranki, Ari, City of Vantaa
Rantamaula, Ville-Veikko, Tradenomiliitto ry
Saarinen, Tanja, City of Vantaa
Salmi, Tina, City of Vantaa
Seppinen, Antti, Helmi Savings Bank Oy
Söderberg, Johan, City of Porvoo
Tarkiainen, Riikka, Stark DT Finland Oy
Toikka, Anni, Coor Oy
Väkeväinen, Kyösti, HAUS Development Centre Ltd
Academic collegium
The task of the academic collegium is to support the President and other operative management in the strategic leadership and development of the university of applied sciences.
The academic collegium approves the university’s curricula and the grounds for student selection. In addition, the collegium makes decisions on appeals concerning admission and loss of study right. The chair of the academic collegium is the university’s President.
The collegium includes representatives determined by the President. In addition, employee organisations acting as parties to the collective agreement each nominate two members to the collegium. The chair and executive director of the student union also serve as members. The Board of Laurea University of Applied Sciences Ltd confirms the composition of the collegium.
Contact: Academic collegium
Members of the collegium:
- Development Manager Sonja Ojanen, secretary
- President, CEO Jouni Koski, chair,
- Deputy Rector Katri Ojasalo, vice chair,
- Head of Academic Affairs Marko Wilen,
- Lecturer Janika Lindström,
- Senior Lecturer Jarmo Heinonen,
- Information Production Manager Sirpa Louhemäki,
- Project Manager Pasi Hario
- Executive Director Rami Hollmerus, Student Union Laureamko
- Board Chair Hanna Oskarsson, Student Union Laureamko
Owners of Laurea University of Applied Sciences Ltd.
The owners of Laurea University of Applied Sciences Ltd are the municipalities and cities of Uusimaa and Invalidiliitto ry.
| Owner | Share |
|---|---|
| City of Espoo | 32.4% |
| City of Vantaa | 32.4% |
| Keski-Uudenmaan koulutuskuntayhtymä | 13.42% |
| City of Hyvinkää | 4.32% |
| Länsi-Uudenmaan koulutuskuntayhtymä | 4.32% |
| City of Porvoo | 3.78% |
| City of Kauniainen | 3.6% |
| Municipality of Kirkkonummi | 3.6% |
| Invalidiliitto Ry | 2.16% |
Laurea’s story
Laurea University of Applied Sciences (previously Vantaa University of Applied Sciences and Espoo-Vantaa University of Applied Sciences) started operations in 1991 in Vantaa. It was among the first universities of applied sciences in Finland to receive an experimental licence.
The experimental licence was extended in 1997 – 1998 to cover nearly 20 institutions in the province of Uusimaa. At that time the university of applied sciences was named Espoo-Vantaa University of Applied Sciences after the main owner cities.
The Government made the operation of the university of applied sciences permanent in 2000 and in 2001 the name became Laurea University of Applied Sciences.