Marja-Leena Laakso started as the rector of the University of Jyväskylä

“It is a great honour for me to take care of the rector’s duties in our dear university and I take this responsibility with utmost seriousness,” says Rector Marja Leena Laakso. “During the rectorship of Keijo Hämäläinen, we did a great amount of good work to strengthen leadership structures, participation and the sense of community as well as develop our organisational culture. Thus, our university is strong in many ways to face new challenges and set ambitious goals for the strategy refreshment. At the same time as I thank Keijo from all of my heart, I know that change is always both a challenge and an opportunity, and this community is ready for both of them.”

Marja-Leena Laakso has appointed Director Peppi Taalas as the vice rector responsible for education starting from 21 April 2023. The decision is effective as long as Laakso is freed from the duties of vice rector responsible for education.

Henrik Kunttu, the vice rector responsible for research, will operate as the first deputy of the rector and Peppi Taalas, the vice rector responsible for education, as the second deputy.

Before the term as a vice rector, Rector Laakso served as the dean of the Faculty of Education and Psychology. She is a professor of early childhood education, specialising in child and developmental psychology.

Vice rector responsible for research and innovations, Professor of Physical Chemistry Henrik Kunttu, served earlier as the dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Science. Kunttu is a renowned expert of low temperature chemistry and physics as well as nanophotonics.

PhD Peppi Taalas has operated as the director of the Centre for Multilingual Academic Communication (Movi). She has an extensive career in teaching development, and she is a docent of multimodal pedagogy.

More information:

Rector Marja-Leena Laakso, tel. +358 40 805 4024, marja-leena.laakso@jyu.fi