Highlights of 2025
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
The MUST initiative in museology laid the groundwork for strengthening the doctoral education of museum professionals and developing research-based museum work. The faculty also began designing two new multidisciplinary study units in continuous learning and established the Global Europe forum, which brings together students’ learning, alumni collaboration and societal interaction.
Faculty of Information Technology
The faculty established a systematic collaboration model that extends from education to research and cooperation with business and industry. The establishment of an international bachelor’s degree programme and a defibrillator project with USAMedX demonstrated the model’s impact in education and research.
School of Business and Economics
JSBE launched the University’s first international bachelor’s degree programme (BIS), which attracted interest from applicants around the world. The faculty also received three endowed professorships, strengthening its research and connections to business and industry.
Faculty of Education and Psychology
Two new internationally significant research environments, the MAGICS Multimodal Interaction Lab and Child and Family Lab, were completed in 2025. Moreover, a new admission path was planned for applicants with Finnish as a second language, which improves the accessibility and diversity of education.
Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences
The faculty boosted its international profile with top-tier rankings and new educational initiatives. The societal impact was evident in the work carried out for the Current Care Guidelines (Käypä hoito -suositukset), the release of the Stair Test (Porrastesti) app, and the promotion of an active lifestyle at a national level.
Faculty of Mathematics and Science
The new educational responsibility granted by the Ministry of Education and Culture enabled significant new degree programmes in the field of technology and science. In addition, funding from Business Finland for quantum technology infrastructure enhanced the faculty’s role in research and innovation in Finland and globally.
Open Science Centre
The OSC strengthened its role in supporting research and responsible use of AI through close cooperation with various service units. In the area of open science and public outreach, the Natural History Museum of Central Finland and Science for All events achieved record-breaking visitor numbers and widespread national visibility.
Open University
In 2025, the Open University introduced several timely study modules and launched the ESR-funded POIJU project, which improves the ability of higher education institutions to produce small-scale competence modules.
Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius
A significant highlight was the expansion of master’s degree education in technology to Kokkola for cyber-physical systems. The new programme, designed for regional needs, will open to applicants for the first time in the joint application of spring 2026.
Movi
Movi established itself as a pioneer in the ethical use of AI by developing extensive training programmes and common learning outcomes for the entire university. Expert work in the teaching of Finnish as a second language and the Japan collaboration strengthened JYU’s international profile, integration training and engagement with society.
Finnish Institute for Educational Research
Peda.net promotes practical societal interaction by offering a continuously evolving learning platform used by more than 160 municipalities and numerous other organisations. In 2025, FIER engaged in extensive, high-profile societal interaction through research projects and expert activities, especially in collaboration with key international organisations for the development of lifelong guidance.