Savonia University of Applied Sciences graduation ceremony at the Kuopio campus celebrated learning, growth and community – and above all, the courage to look to the future. The years of study have left a lasting impression on the minds of graduating students: memories, friendships and insights that will last for a long time.

”“Today we celebrate a journey that started with a small step, but went a long way.”

“Courage is not being afraid, but acting in spite of that”

In his speech, Mikko Junttila, CEO of Peeässä, reminded that the keys to the future are now in the hands of the graduates.

– Your skills, your ability to work together and your willingness to learn new things are important assets for the future. Success does not happen alone, but in cooperation, and continuous learning is vital. Fortunately, learning is not only linked to degrees, but is part of everyday life, work and identity,” said Junttila.

He urged graduates to face the future with courage and ambition.

Now, if ever, it is important to stop for a moment and think about what I really want, where I want to be in five or ten years,” he said. Dare to set yourself ambitious goals and go for them with determination. In life, you can’t always know which path you’re facing, but you can decide which direction to take. Make decisions first and then make them to be the right ones. Courage is not about not being afraid, but about acting in spite of it.

Junttila has noted that Savonia has made impressive progress in recent years. This is significant not only for students, but also for the wider society. Expertise creates a real competitive advantage for the region.

Success comes from people who can think big and work together.

Competences for a changing working life

Rector Mervi Vidgrén said that the University of Applied Sciences produces competence and experts for the changing world of work and also exports educational knowledge abroad.

– We are engaged in the EU4Dual alliance to develop work-based higher education together with our European partners. We are developing both Joint Masters degrees and European doctoral degrees. This is a natural follow-up to our work as a university of applied sciences and reflects the kind of competence needed in the working life.

The Rector reminds that Savonia is a Great Place to Work and wants also to be a Great Place to Learn.

– Based on student feedback, we are among the top universities in Finland, and several fields of study are the very best in Finland.

To be a good place to study, a university must be more than a building, it must also be a community.

-The community is created through our strong collaboration with the Student Union Savotta.

We are going to change this world together!

Niko Jekkonen, Vice President of the Council of the Student Union, also highlighted the importance of community in his speech.

– When I meet students from other higher education institutions, I tell them what makes studying at Savonia unique. It is the community. Savonia is a university that genuinely listens to its students and enables us to create memories and a degree that we can be genuinely proud of. So be always proud to be Savonians and as the Rector said, hold on to the community that has been formed around you.

The graduates’ speeches highlighted the memories, experiences and friendships they had made during their studies. Ada Paljakka said that her studies had been an extremely rich time, not perhaps financially, but in terms of experiences and relationships. The many hours spent studying in the café, or early morning lectures, have been experienced together. There are many warm memories to look back.

No one is ever ready, but we are much more ready for working life now than when we started our studies. And this is just the point where the learning begins!

Pihla Hasanen said that the journey has been full of laughter, but also moments, when it felt like there was no way to get through.

– But the challenges and difficulties have developed us the most. I remember that there have been many moments when I have felt inadequacy. Sometimes I have even felt like giving up. But those experiences have led to the level of professionalism that we are today. I wouldn’t change those moments for anything. We are going to change this world together.

I conclude with the words of my power song: “I had nothing but opportunity. And the knowledge that what I want I can achieve”.

Dare to challenge, ask questions and reform

The main speaker at the graduation ceremony of the Iisalmi campus, Markku Siponen, Member of Parliament, emphasised that now more than ever we need specialists who can combine practical experience, science and sustainable thinking. “Future leaders are needed in the debate on how we take care of nature, food security and security of supply. Be active in the debate in your own field.

– We live in a time of rapid change, such as digitalisation, artificial intelligence and crises. They will affect your work, but that is precisely why you hold the future. You have the education, the will and a fresh vision. Don’t settle for the old, but dare to challenge, ask questions and innovate.

– There has been talk of economic growth in Finland, or rather the lack of it. Education is an important engine of growth for the nation, and I am concerned about measures to reduce funding for universities of applied sciences and to increase the number of places available. What will happen to the quality of teaching when the starting level of students is becoming more heterogeneous?” asked Siponen.

Creating a story together

– This is not just a degree, but a journey that has taken a lot of work, courage and tolerance for incompleteness. In addition to a new profession, we have made many new friends. We have a desire to develop ourselves and society, and we have skills that open doors to a wide range of opportunities,” said Eija Puurunen in her address to the graduates.

See the recordings of the graduation ceremony on 21.5.2025 here: