27.2.2025

Statement in response to the petition on Åbo Akademi University’s operations in Vaasa

We have taken note of the petition concerning Åbo Akademi University’s operations in Vaasa, which has also attracted media attention, and would like to clarify a few important points.

The operations in Vaasa are an integral and important part of Åbo Akademi University. We will continue to develop the campus in Vaasa and deepen our collaboration with regional stakeholders.

We would like to emphasise that the current discussion is partly based on incorrect information. No teaching or research in Vaasa will be discontinued. Today, three faculties have operations (education and research) in Vaasa. In the new organisation, both faculties of Åbo Akademi University will operate in Vaasa.

Decision-making in the new organisation will increasingly take place in collegial bodies, where both students and personnel, regardless of location, are represented. Åbo Akademi University in Vaasa will continue to have a collegial administrative body, chaired by the rector in Vaasa.

Åbo Akademi University’s administration is and will be represented in both Turku and Vaasa, ensuring that we can offer support and services in both locations.

We would also like to emphasise that the organisational changes will not significantly affect students’ everyday life. Åbo Akademi University will continue to offer high-quality education and support to all its students.

We also want to develop and strengthen Åbo Akademi University’s cooperation with stakeholders in Ostrobothnia. Åbo Akademi University’s management will continue to meet with local stakeholders to strengthen dialogue and cooperation, which is an important part of our work to meet the needs and expectations of the region.

By simplifying, clarifying and streamlining administration and governance, we want to offer both better support closer to the operations? and more resources for education and research. Our ambition is to strengthen the operations in Vaasa through better integration with the entire Åbo Akademi University.

We will have a meeting in Vaasa next week (Monday, 3 March) to meet our personnel, and the signers of the petition.

We hope that this clarification will contribute to a better understanding of the changes taking place and that we can work together to strengthen Åbo Akademi University, as one university operating on two campuses.

Dag Wallgren, Chair of the Board
Mikael Lindfelt, Rector