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Åbo Akademi University Opens the Academic Year and Inaugurates Rector Gunilla Widén

Åbo Akademi University marked the beginning of the 2026–2027 academic year with the traditional opening ceremony held on its campuses in Vaasa and Turku. The ceremony is an academic tradition that formally marks the start of the autumn semester. In connection with the ceremony in Turku, Rector Gunilla Widén was also officially inaugurated in her position.

The ceremony in Turku was held in the Old Academy building as is tradition and began with former Rector Mikael Lindfelt inaugurating Gunilla Widén as Rector of Åbo Akademi, the twentieth rector in the university’s history. During the inauguration, the rector’s chain, which together with two silver sceptres and the rector’s robe forms the Rector’s insignia, was presented to Widén as a symbol of the dignity and responsibility borne by the university’s rector. Widén highlighted this honour in her inaugural address.

“Åbo Akademi is unique, and I accept the trust placed in me to lead our important work forward with great respect. Åbo Akademi’s rectoral chain is a fine symbol of the Nordic cooperation that is so important to us. This gift from 1950, presented by eight Swedish universities, reflects the importance of collaboration, community, and appreciation for the University’s vital mission.”

High-Quality Research, Education and Trust in Knowledge

In her speech, Rector Widén highlighted the challenging financial situation and the ongoing development efforts that have characterized the university in recent years. She also emphasized the positive results that have been achieved, particularly during the previous academic year.

“Although the coming years will be financially demanding, and strengthening our economy will still require difficult but necessary decisions, we look forward to a stronger future. We can be proud of the academic results achieved, knowing that they reflect the hard work and commitment of our students and staff.”

Widén underlined the importance of collaboration with other higher education institutions and universities at the local, national, and international levels, as well as the shared responsibility of ensuring high-quality research, education, and trust in knowledge. “We must be able to trust independent academic evaluation.”

Rector Widén emphasized the university’s unique position, responsibility, and commitment to ensuring access to high-quality university education in Swedish in Finland, while also emphasizing the importance of development and change.

“This unique mission defines us, but it must not limit us. We must have broader ambitions than the responsibility for Swedish-language education alone. High international quality in education and research also strengthens our ability to fulfil our unique mission.”

Widén quoted Severin Johansson, Rector of Åbo Akademi University from 1921 to 1929, who said: “A university is never finished.”

“Strengthening our finances is a long-term effort that requires difficult but necessary decisions. The previous academic year began with a new organizational model, following change negotiations and staff redundancies. This has left its mark, and the process of transformation continues. During the coming academic year, it will require a great deal from all of us, not least as the education reform moves forward.”

Rector Gunilla Widén concluded her speech by praising both the university’s personnel and students, emphasizing that “behind every degree, publication, and research grant lies a tremendous amount of work and dedication from our students and our entire staff.”

Staff recognised for contributions to teaching and research

During the opening ceremony, several members of staff at Åbo Akademi University were recognised for their outstanding contributions to teaching, supervision, and research.

The award for promoting a positive working environment was presented to Ingrid Biese-Stjernberg, Senior University Lecturer in Business Administration.

The teacher of the year award was granted to Mikael von Numers, Senior University Lecturer in Environmental Biology. The supervisor of the year awards were presented to Annamari Soini, Lecturer in Computer Engineering and Brita Wårvik, Professor in English Linguistics.

The award for pedagogical visionary and developer of the year was presented to University Lecturer in Speech and Language Pathology Stina Sundstedt.

Two research awards were presented to PhD Sami Sanlidag for his doctoral thesis in cell biologyand D.Sc. (Econ. & Bus. Adm.) Linh Duong for her doctoral thesis in international marketing.

The prizes for outstanding doctoral supervision were awarded to Professor Cecilia Sahlgren and Professor Malin Brännback.

D.Soc.Sc., Docent Marina Lindell was recognized in acknowledgment of her notable popularization of research.