University

The Board defines the university's central goals and strategy. Furthermore, the Board elects the Rectors of the university. The Board of the University of Eastern Finland is composed of a total of 10 members, 4 of whom are external members. The term of office of the Board is 1 January 2018–31 December 2021. Board meetings 2020: 14.2., 31.3., 11.5. , 11.6., 3.9., 2.11. and 14.12.

Chair of the Board

Lea Ryynänen-Karjalainen, DMus, is the Executive Director of the Federation of Finnish Learned Societies and a board member in the Finnish Science Centre Foundation.   Her earlier positions include coordinator and expert positions at the University of Art and Design Helsinki in 1991–1998, Science Secretary and Science Counsellor at the Academy of Finland in 1998–2004, Development Director at Espoo-Vantaa Institute of Technology in 2004–2008, Vice Rector at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in 2008–2011, and HRD Director at the consultant company Cerion Solutions Ltd. in 2011–2013. She has also held expert positions in the European Commission.

Vice Chair of the Board

Jaakko Kiander, DSocSc, is Research Director at the Finnish Centre for Pensions.  Kiander's earlier roles include Senior Economist (1997–1999), Research Director (1999–2006) and Research Professor (2001–2006) positions at VATT Institute for Economic Research, Professor of Economics at the University of Vaasa in 2000, and Director of the Labour Institute for Economic Research in 2006–2010 and the Senior Vice President of Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company 2010–2019.  Kiander is a docent at the University of Eastern Finland and the University of Helsinki. He is also a member of the board of directors of the OP-Pohjola Group Central Cooperative, and a member of the board of the OP-Pohjola Group Research Foundation. Kiander is also the vice chair of the Strategic Research Council.

Board members

Jari Jolkkonen, ThD, is the Bishop of Kuopio Diocese. His earlier roles include General Secretary of the Episcopal Conference in 2007–2012, Lecturer of Systematic Theology at the University of Joensuu in 2006–2007, Theological Secretary to Bishop Eero Huovinen in the Helsinki Chapter in 2002–2006 and 1997–1998, and Military Chaplain in 1999–2000. Jolkkonen is a docent at the University of Eastern Finland and the University of Helsinki, a member of the Advisory Board of the University of Eastern Finland, and a member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts.

Jukka Pelkonen, MD, PhD, is Professor of Clinical Microbiology. His earlier positions include the Head of the School of Medicine of the University of Eastern Finland in 2010–2017, and he has served as a Vice Dean at the University of Kuopio in 2003–2005, and as a Dean in 2006–2009. Jukka Pelkonen has administrative experience also from outside the academia, as he has been a board member of the Hospital District of Northern Savo since 2009, and a board member of Istekki Ltd. since 2011. Pelkonen is the Chief Physician in Clinical Microbiology and a member of the executive group of the Eastern Finland Laboratory Centre Joint Authority Enterprise (ISLAB). Jukka Pelkonen is also familiar with the European research and higher education system, thanks to working as a Researcher and a Research Group Director in Switzerland and Germany for over six years.

Erkki Pesonen, PhD, works in teaching and research roles in the School of Computing at the Kuopio Campus, and he is also the Deputy Head of the School. He is one of the pilot teachers in the project developing flipped classroom teaching at the University of Eastern Finland. He has experience in academic administration and decision-making through to his memberships in the Senate, a Faculty Council and the Teaching Evaluation Council of the University of Kuopio, as well as the Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council. He is also the chair of the Association of Researchers and Teachers of Eastern Finland, and he has served as a board member of the Finnish Union of University Researchers and Teachers.

Saara Tenhovuori, BA, majors in literature and studies the Finnish language, pedagogical studies for subject teachers and sociology of art as her minor subjects. She is Vice Chair of the Executive Board of the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland and Chair of the Joensuu Campus Board. Earlier, she served as the person in charge of academic affairs in the Student Union’s Executive Board, as a member of the Student Union’s Representative Council, as the chair of the Student Union’s Section for Advocacy in Joensuu, and as a member of the Faculty Council of the Philosophical Faculty. Tenhovuori has been actively involved in student organisations in a variety of different roles.

Jaana Rekolainen is CEO of the Finnish-Russian Chamber of Commerce, where she has worked since 2009, first as Project Manager and Deputy CEO and, since 2016, as CEO. Her earlier roles include Head of Export at Finlayson Forssa Oy in 2006-2008, and she has held various positions in SRV Yhtiöt Oy in 1998–2006 relating to activities in Russia, including Head of the Moscow Office and Marketing Manager. Rekolainen holds an MA degree awarded by the University of Joensuu.

Tomi Rosti, MA, works as an Information Specialist at the Joensuu Campus. He is the chair of the Staff Association of the University of Eastern Finland, ISYHY, and a deputy chief shop steward. His other positions of trust include being the vice-chair and a member of the board and the working committee of the Association of Finnish University and Research Establishment Staff, YHL, and a member of the regional committee for North Karelia in the Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees, STTK.

Sami Gabbouj, MSc, is currently finalising his doctoral dissertation in neurosciences at the University of Eastern Finland, while also completing a Master’s degree in business studies, majoring in innovation management. Gabbouj has chaired the student association of biomedicine students, Kulti, and he has held several elected positions in the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland, both in the Executive Board (2015) and in the Representative Council (2016–2017, 2020–2021). Gabbouj also has experience in academic administration: he has served as a member of the university’s Collegiate Body and of the Faculty Council of the Faculty of Health Sciences and. Currently, he is a member of the steering committee of the Doctoral Programme in Molecular Medicine.

Matti Tolvanen (born 1956), LLD, is Professor of Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure Law at the University of Eastern Finland. His earlier roles include, among others, Prosecutor and Chief District Prosecutor positions. His main positions of trust include membership in the Board of Adjustment dealing with taxation-related appeals, and he is also the chair of the constituency electoral committee of North Karelia.

Secretary to the Board, General Counsel and Director of the University of Eastern Finland Petri Rintamäki, petri.rintamaki@uef.fi.

The University Collegiate Body comprises a total of 24 members. Eight of the members represent the university's professors, eight represent the university's teaching, research and general staff, and eight represent the university's students. The term of office of the University Collegiate Body is four calendar years. The term of office of the members representing the university's students is two calendar years.

Members (deputy members) of the University Collegiate Body, elected for a four-year term beginning on
1 January 2018.

Professors

• Kai Kaarniranta, member (Juha Rouvinen)
• Paavo Honkakoski, member (Anna-Liisa Elorinne)
• Tomi-Pekka Tuomainen, member (Kaija Saranto)
• Matti Kotiranta, member (Heikki Tanila)
• Anssi Keinänen, member (Eija Kärnä)
• Hannele Turunen, member (Tommi Laukkanen)
• Mikko Laitinen, Vice Chair (Heli Peltola)
• Pasi Karjalainen, member (Ilpo Helén)

Teaching, research and general staff

• Tero Karjalainen, Chair (Outi Suorsa)
• Juha Riepponen, member (Antero Puhakka)
• Anna-Maria Veijalainen, member (Tarja Virrantalo)
• Kari Kotikumpu, member (Marko Pietilä)
• Maarit Putous, member (Mervi Holopainen)
• Christina Piel, member (Marja-Leena Patronen)
• Olga Davydova-Minguet, member (Markku Saarelainen)
• Kati Kasanen, member (Ismo Björn)

Students (1.1.2020 – 31.12.2021)

• Ari Tervashonka (Salli Kosonen)
• Rosa Summanen (Maria Pulkka)
• Elshakasha Mohamed Yousri (Noora Ahonen)
• Janette Hellberg (Lassi Oikkonen)
• Anri Vesa (Katja Honkapää)
• Marko Koskelo (Sanna Hietamäki)
• Kalle Kattelus (Heli Saari)
• Susanna Remes (Emmi Rajavuori)

General Administration and Legal Affairs serves as a general preparatory and executive body for the Rectors and the Director of Administration. General Administration and Legal Affairs is also in charge of matters relating to the UEF Board. The duties of General Administration and Legal Affairs also encompass: Records Management and Registry Services, Executive Support Services, Legal Services and Internal Auditing.

General Counsel and Director Petri Rintamäki, petri.rintamaki@uef.fi.

Data Protection Officer Helena Eronen, helena.eronen@uef.fi.

Read more about our staff at UEF Connect Search Service.

Records Management and Registry Services

Enquiries can be sent to the Registry Office: kirjaamo@uef.fi, secured email: https://secmail.uef.fi/kirjaamo@uef.fi.

Read more about records Management and Registry Services.

The Human Resources Services is responsible for providing expert services in issues relating to terms of employment contracts, human resources development and well-being at work. We also provide services for international staff and assistance in matters related to researchers' mobility.

Human Resources Director Jouni Kekäle, jouni.kekale@uef.fi.

Read more about our staff at UEF Connect Search Service.

Development Services coordinates the university's planning and development activities, produces data on the university's operations for reporting and evaluation purposes, and is in charge of performance reporting required by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Our services are:

• Performance Management and Quality
• Research Services
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation Services
• International Relations
• Communications and Media Relations

Director of Planning and Development Soili Makkonen, soili.makkonen@uef.fi.

Read more about our staff at UEF Connect Search Service.

Performance Management and Quality

We are involved in the university’s strategic planning and in the implementation of strategic measures. We are responsible for monitoring and evaluating the realisation of the university’s strategy.

Director of Planning and Development Soili Makkonen, soili.makkonen@uef.fi.

Research Services

Research Services provides staff members of the University of Eastern Finland with expert services relating to research and innovation activities, and external funding.

Research Development Manager Anu Liikanen, anu.liikanen@uef.fi.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Services

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Services is an organisation of experts supporting and promoting the commercialisation of research findings and expertise emerging from the University of Eastern Finland. 

Director of Planning and Development Soili Makkonen, soili.makkonen@uef.fi.

International Relations

Director of International Affairs Riikka Pellinen, riikka.pellinen@uef.fi.

Communications and Media Relations

Head of Communication Petri Hynynen, tel. +358 50 407 8996, petri.hynynen@uef.fi.

General email address for Communications and Media Relations: viestinta@uef.fi.

Joensuu Campus

Mailing address: University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu Campus, Communications and Media Relations Office, P.O. Box 111, 80101 Joensuu, Finland.

Visiting address: Yliopistokatu 2, Aurora building, 1st floor.

Fax: +358 13 251 3309

Kuopio Campus

Mailing address: University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio Campus, Communications and Media Relations Office, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland.

Visiting address: Yliopistonranta 1 E, Snellmania building, 2nd floor.

Read more about services for the media.

The function of Student and Learning Services is to coordinate, provide and develop general student services as well as to develop teaching, counselling and learning at the University of Eastern Finland.

Director of Student and Learning Services Miia Turtiainen, miia.turtiainen@uef.fi.

Read more about Student and Learning services.

Financial Services at the University of Eastern Finland comprises Financial Administation, Procurement Services and Facilities Management Services.

Chief Financial Officer Heini Koskenvuori, heini.koskenvuori@uef.fi

Read more about our staff at UEF Connect Search Service.

Financial administration

Financial administration is responsible for organizing the university's accounting, preparing financial statements, managing liquidity, investments, taxation and auditing. Furthermore, the financial administration prepares the university's budget and produces financial data for management and external stakeholders. The Financial administration is also responsible for the university's cost accounting and its development and offers guidance and support in financial issues to the other units in the university.

Chief Financial Officer Heini Koskenvuori, heini.koskenvuori@uef.fi.

Joensuu Campus

Mailing address: University of Eastern Finland, Financial Services, P.O. Box 111, 80101 Joensuu, Finland.

Visiting address: Yliopistokatu 2, Aurora building, 2nd floor.

Kuopio Campus

Mailing address: University of Eastern Finland, Financial Services, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland.

Visiting address: Yliopistonranta 1F, Melania building.

Procurement services

Financial Services is responsible for providing centralised procurement services for the university. Centralised procurement services are a way to support the University of Eastern Finland in the achievement of its performance-related goals through adherence to the procurement legislation and by purchasing products and services from the right places at the right prices. Furthermore, centralised procurement services pay attention to the procurement-related process costs through standardising products and services, and through optimising the number of products, services and their providers.

Chief of Procurement Services Markku Torvinen, markku.torvinen@uef.fi.

Facilities Management

Facilities Management is responsible for matters relating to the university’s real estates and facilities, facilities management system, lease contracts, cleaning, safety and security of university facilities, management of hazardous waste, parking, facility and guest room reservations, instrument and equipment maintenance services, as well as porter and transport services. Facilities Management also prepares plans relating to construction and renovation projects and supervises the interests of the university during the above mentioned projects. Our services seek to ensure that the university's academic departments and units have access to facilities that are optimal in terms of cost-efficiency and capacity and that they are in efficient use, monitored and maintained, and clean.

Head of Facilities Management Tarja Harjula, tarja.harjula@uef.fi.

IT Services is a specialist organisation responsible for the ICT and learning technology services.

Director Marko Holmavuo, marko.holmavuo@uef.fi.

Read more about IT services.