Alumni Day

How are your former fellow students and teachers? What research is being carried out currently at the University of Oulu? How does university education provide a foundation for a career in the cultural sector? Come and find out on the homecoming day! The shared day for alumni and university members culminates in a relaxed evening event. Bring along a study friend—or even your entire class! Registration is open until April 9th.

Who can attend?

Alumni Day welcomes graduates of the University of Oulu (alumni) with their avec, staff, students, and members of the University of Oulu Association.

Programme

In the spirit of the Oulu European Capital of Culture, Alumni Day offers a diverse range of programme from noon until late in the evening. The day is divided into three parts, and you may register for all of them or choose the ones that suit you best. Except for the evening programme, participation is free of charge.

Registration

Time: from 11.00
Location: Linnanmaa campus main lobby area
Entrance: University main entrance 2T , Erkki Koiso-Kanttilan katu street

Register for the Alumni Day at the Info desk. You can pick up your faculty-specific badge and alumni pin. You may also register later at a time that suits you, before 15.00. In case you attend only the evening programme, you may also register at the evening venue entrance.

12.00–15.00 Open house: Science presentations, encounters and nostalgia

Location: Linnanmaa campus main lobby area
Entrance: University main entrance 2T , Erkki Koiso-Kanttilan katu street

Come and enjoy the atmosphere on campus, meet members of the university community, and update your knowledge with the help of researchers from the University of Oulu.

12.15–13.30 Oulu2026: Research from the Brave hinterland, the Wild City and with Cool Contrasts – Science presentations by University of Oulu researchers

Also the audience has a chance to ask questions! The rooms and more topics of the presentations will be confirmed later.

Research from the Brave Hinterland (in Finnish)

"Art of Darkness – How to create urban culture from darkness?"
Assistant Professor, Architect, PhD Henrika Pihlajaniemi, Faculty of Technology

"Resilience of Sámi culture in an era of crises"
Assistant Professor (tenure), Adjunct Professor, PhD Tapio Nykänen, Faculty of Humanities

"Why do some people age healthier? – Life course research opens new perspectives on aging"
Adjunct Professor, Research Director, PhD Minna Ruddock, Faculty of Medicine

Research from the Wild City (in English)

“The role of companies for societal well-being? Current examples from Finland”
Adjunct Professor, PhD Anne Keränen, Oulu Business School

“What is a smart grid? How to design an energy system for sustainable future”
Project Researcher, PhD Petr Štěpánek, Faculty of Technology

“Reproduction as a part of health and life cycle”
Assistant Professor (tenure), PhD Renata Prunskaite-Hyyryläinen, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine

Research with Cool Contrasts (in Finnish)

Antti Tikanmäki, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering
Joni Lämsä, Faculty of Education and Psychology
Matti Silveri, Faculty of Science

12.00–15.00 Meet the staff and alumni at the faculty meeting points

13.45–14.30 Join a campus tour

Please note: the number of participants is limited, and one tour is available in English.

From 14.00 Cake and coffee will be served for Alumni Day guests. You may come for coffee according to your own schedule.

Join the day as a group:
During the alumni day you can arrange a meet-up with your former fellow students or your class.

15.00–17.00 Joint afternoon session: Art, stories and future

Location: Central Lobby and lecture hall L1
Entrance: University main entrance 2T , Erkki Koiso-Kanttilan katu street
From 14.00 Cake and coffee will be served for Alumni Day guests. You may come for coffee according to your own schedule.

The University of Oulu is participating in Oulu’s European Capital of Culture year 2026 and is part of the cultural climate change. The event features greetings from the rector, speeches by our distinguished alumni and impressive music.

15.00 Programme in lecture hall L1 begins

Music performance by baritone and alum of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Oulu Tomi Punkeri

Welcome words, rector Arto Maaninen

Panel discussion with alumni working and influencing in the fields of culture

• Venla Aakko, scriptwriter and journalist
• Pekka Timonen, Mayor of Vantaa and Chair of the Finnish Museums Association
• Sigga-Marja Magga, Director of the Giellagas Institute at the University of Oulu, University Lecturer in Sámi Culture, Docent

Interview with the Alum of the Year 2025, Dr. Baylie Damtie Yeshita

Keynote speech. More details later.

The event will be hosted by Simo Kekäläinen. The language of the afternoon session is mainly Finnish.

A bus transfer to Oulu city centre will be available for those who have registered for transportation at 17.30.

19.30–23.30 Alumni evening at the heart of the Capital of Culture

Location: Radisson Blu (restaurant Toivo), Hallituskatu 1, Oulu Torinranta market square
Tickets: 20 eur / person
The event is open for alumni, students, staff and members of the University of Oulu Association

The Alumni Day celebrations continue at the Oulu Torinranta market square! Spend your Friday evening with fellow alumni and the university community in the heart of the city, enjoying good music and a relaxed programme.

19.30 Doors open

20.00 Programme begins

Welcome words

Stand-up comedy by Ray Zambino (in English)
Ray Zambino is an English speaking comedian from Scotland. Ray’s comedy involves silly one liners, the cultural observations of a stranger in a strange land and the occasional absurd idea.

Finnish pop-rock band from Haukipudas: Aknestik
The evening’s headliner is the pop‑rock band Aknestik from Haukipudas, whose members also include alumni of our university. Aknestik has been performing since the 1980s, so their music connects alumni from across several decades.

The evening’s dance music will be provided by the legandary DJ Pyhis who used to play music at the 45 Special for 15 years. The host of the evening is our alum Eero Hiidenvuori.

23.30 Last call

The language of the evening programme is Finnish and English. Read more about the evening's artists below.

Register now

Please note that no food or drinks are provided by the university during the evening event. Restaurant Toivo’s bar and the restaurant Ule at Radisson Blu will serve Alumni Day guests on a self-pay basis.

Event details and the full programme will be updated on this page during spring 2026. We reserve the right to make changes to the programme. Mark the date in your calendar and stay tuned by joining the alumni network to receive updates.

If you have any questions, please contact: alumni(at)oulu.fi

Oulu is the European Capital of Culture for the year 2026. The event year is divided into three thematic periods: Brave Hinterland, Wild City and Cool Contrasts. Alumni Day 2026 is part of cultural climate change and the Oulu2026 cultural programme organized by the University of Oulu.