Organisation

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 2022–31 December 2025. In 2025, the board meetings are held on 20.2., 28.3., 14.5., 8.7., 3.9., 7.11. and 12.12.

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 Chief executive officer (CEO) of the Public Sector Pension provider Keva since October 2021. 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 and Research Director at the Finnish Centre for Pensions 2019-2021. Kiander is a docent at the University of Eastern Finland and the University of Helsinki. He has also been a member of the board of directors of the OP-Pohjola Group Central Cooperative (2015-2020), and is a member of the boards of the OP-Pohjola Group Research Foundation and the Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation. Kiander has also been the vice chair of the Strategic Research Council in 2015-2018 and the president of the Finnish Brain Foundation (2019-2021).

Board members

Siamäk Naghian, Doctor of Science (Technology), is CEO of the Iisalmi-based sound system manufacturer Genelec. Naghian started his career at Genelc in 2005 and, before becoming the company’s CEO in 2011, he worked as the company’s Director of Product Development, and as Vice-CEO. Naghian has also worked for Nokia, serving the company in various R&D and management roles. Naghian holds a Doctor of Science (Technology) degree from Helsinki University of Technology (nowadays known as Aalto University). He has published a number of articles on mobile networks and applications, and co-edited a book on UMTS networks. He holds several patents related to wireless and mobile systems, as well as audio systems.

Katja Toropainen, Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration), is the leader of the Inklusiiv community, which highlights the importance of diversity as a success factor. Inklusiiv produces various events, projects and content, and provides consultancy services and training. Toropainen holds a Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration) degree from Aalto University. She is also the former Chief Curator of the technology and growth enterprise event Slush.

Ursula Schwab, PhD, is Professor of Nutrition Therapy. She is head of the nutrition curriculum. She also has clinical responsibilities at the Kuopio University Hospital. She served as a Chairperson of the Council for Biosciences, Health and the Environment of the Finnish Academy in 2019-2021. Currently, she serves as a chairperson of the Diabetes and Nutrition Study group of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, as a chairperson of a panel in Publication Forum, as a member of the updating committee of the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations and as a member of the National Nutrition Council. She has experience working abroad at the JM Human Nutrition Center, Boston, U.S.A. for 1.5 years.

DSc (Tech.) Pekka Toivanen is a Professor at the School of Computing of the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology on the Kuopio campus. He leads the Computational Intelligence (CI) research group, which focuses on artificial intelligence, machine vision, smart sensor networks and cyber security. In 2024, Toivanen’s research group won the European-wide EU EDIH Network Awards with its pioneering AI application. In addition to academic achievements, the work conducted by Toivanen’s research group has resulted in various patents and spin-off companies, as well as several products. Toivanen has held the post of Professor at three universities and has also acted as a Head of Department and a member of the Faculty Council at two universities. He has also held other international positions of trust at both the EU and national levels. He has worked in leadership roles in EU projects, including the post of Main Coordinator, and nationally, e.g., as an evaluator at the Research Council of Finland. 

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 and has got UEF Excellent Teaching Practitioner Award. 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.

Tomi Rosti, MA, works as an Information Specialist and as a Team Leader for research support at the University of Eastern Finland Library on the Joensuu Campus. He is the chair of the Staff Association of the University of Eastern Finland, and a deputy chief shop steward. He has experience in academic administration and decision-making, thanks to his previous elected positions. He is Deputy Chair and a member of the Board and Working Committee of the Federation of University and Research Staff, YHL, and a member of the University Sector Advisory Board and Regional Board of Trade Union Pro. He is also Deputy Chair of the Youth Work Support Foundation in North Karelia.

Eetu Hyvönen is pursuing a Master’s degree in business studies on the Kuopio campus, majoring in International Business and Sales Management. He has held several positions of trust during his studies. Among others, he chaired the business student association Preemio ry on the Kuopio campus in 2021, was a member of the Board of the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland in 2022 and chaired it in 2023, and was the vice-chair of the Council of Representatives of the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland in 2024.

CBM Marko Koskelo is pursuing a Master’s degree in Theology on the Joensuu campus, majoring in Comparative Religion. He has held dozens of positions of trust in a number of organisations during his studies. Among others, Koskelo has since 2016 worked continuously in various bodies of the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland and the University of Eastern Finland. In addition, he has plenty of experience of various work tasks in the education and security sector as well as in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.

Secretary to the Board, General Counsel and Director of the University of Eastern Finland Petri Rintamäki, [email protected].

The University Collegium 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 Collegium 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 Collegium, elected for a four-year term beginning on 1 January 2022.

Professors

• Elina Oksanen, member (Timo Tokola)
• Pasi Karjalainen, member (Pekka Toivanen)
• Sanna Vehviläinen, member (Ritva Kantelinen)
• Mikko Laitinen, member, chair (Matti Kotiranta)
• Anssi Keinänen, member (Olga Davydova-Minguet)
• Riitta Vornanen, member (Harri Laihonen)
• Ville Leinonen, member (Tarja Kvist)
• Antti Poso, member (Olli Gröhn)

Teaching, research and general staff

• Tero Karjalainen, member, vice chair (Johanna Uotinen)
• Juha Riepponen, member (Kati Kasanen)
• Ismo Björn, member (Christina Piel)
• Mika Kilpiä, member (Maija Lahtela-Kakkonen)
• Leila Saramäki, member (Erkko Sointu)
• Marja Aho, member (Outi Suorsa)
• Kari Kotikumpu, member (Cristina Florea)
• Antero Puhakka, member (Jussi Mäkelä)

Students (1.1.2024–31.12.2025)

• Miika Hiltunen (Lidia Backlund)
• Jyri Hyvättinen (Abdul Wahab)
• Niina-Hannele Nuutinen (Hanna Valtonen)
• Mikko Miettinen (Ilmari Mäkelä)
• Lassi Oikkonen (Janina Baljashkin)
• Noman Kazi (Leevi Haavisto)
• Noora Saramäki (Adetayo Adetuyi)
• Miro Helminen (Onni Riikkilä)  

University Regulations of the University of Eastern Finland are downloadable as PDF file.

Meeting documents of the university’s administrative bodies can be found in the Dynasty system (available in Finnish only).

• Documents of meetings held on or after 4 May 2020 can be found here.
• Documents of meetings held prior to 4 May 2020 can be found here.