VAMK 30 years full of energy

Since 1996, Vaasa University of Applied Sciences has been involved in building Vaasa’s future by educating professionals and developing the region’s working life. The strong industrial base of the Vaasa region originally created the need for expertise and education and gave rise to the first educational units, from which VAMK has grown.

Education in Vaasa has long traditions that extend far beyond three decades. Technical education has been provided in Vaasa for more than 175 years, commercial education, on which today’s business studies are based, has been offered for over 120 years, and education in the health care and social services sector has been provided since the 1980s.

“Vaasa University of Applied Sciences has, for 30 years, been a key force in building the region’s vitality, and our role is becoming even stronger. As the Nordic Energy Capital, Vaasa needs top-level expertise and close cooperation in order to meet the challenges of the energy transition and digitalisation, while not forgetting society’s need to find solutions to the transformation of well-being,” says President, CEO Hannu Vahtera.

VAMK acts as a bridge-builder in the dialogue between industry and education, bringing together companies and other regional stakeholders, research and students in joint development efforts.

“Work-oriented higher education provided by universities of applied sciences is one of the cornerstones of Finland’s success, as it ensures that expertise stays close to practice and supports sustainable growth. Our anniversary year is a moment to celebrate our history, but above all to look boldly toward the future. Our goal is that VAMK will continue to deliver on its promise as the foremost partner in expertise and as a pillar supporting competitiveness and well-being,” says Vahtera.

A diverse program as part of the anniversary year

The 30th anniversary of Vaasa University of Applied Sciences will be celebrated in many different ways throughout 2026. In March, there will be a public lecture series, Humans, Technology, and Economy – How to Build the Welfare Society of the Future, which combines history with visions for the future. The lecture series will be held in collaboration with the adult education centre Alma on four Tuesdays in March, starting on March 3, 2026, in Finnish.

VAMK will participate in the traditional EnergyWeek with its own exhibition booth and topical seminars from March 17–19, 2026. The public will also have the opportunity to explore VAMK’s activities, history, and future during the Night of the Arts on August 13.

A special celebration will be held for VAMK staff in May, and students will join in the festivities in September at the joint Campus Festival for all universities in Vaasa. An invitation-only event will be held for representatives of stakeholders on September 11, and a commemorative lecture will take place on campus in October.

Collecting memories

The history of Vaasa University of Applied Sciences is made of its people and moments. Everyone who has been connected to VAMK’s activities at different times and in different roles e.g. alumni, current students, staff, partners, and residents of Vaasa, is warmly invited to share memories and photographs from different decades of VAMK’s various stages. 

The memories will be posted during the year on VAMK's social media channels.