Board selects rector interview candidates and seeks pharmacy education responsibility

At its meeting on 30 September 2026, the University Board of Directors selected the candidates to be invited for interviews for the position of Rector and decided to apply to the Ministry of Education and Culture for responsibility for degree education in pharmacy.

Nineteen people applied for the position of Rector for the next five-year term. After assessing the applicants’ eligibility, competence, experience and suitability for the role, the Board decided that Mika Grundström, Jyri Hämäläinen, Mirja Illikainen and Antti Syväjärvi will advance to the interview stage. Read more.

In addition to interviews and executive assessments, the selection process includes an opportunity for the university community to meet the leading candidates. The event will be held on Friday, 16 October 2026, from 13:30 to 14:45 in Agora on the Linnanmaa campus.

The Board will decide on the appointment of the Rector in November. The new Rector will begin the position on 1 January 2027 or as otherwise agreed.

University of Oulu applies for responsibility for degree education in pharmacy

The Board also decided that the University of Oulu will propose to the Ministry of Education and Culture that its educational responsibility be expanded to include degree programmes leading to bachelor’s, master’s, licentiate and doctoral degrees in pharmacy.

The Board authorised the Rector to submit the application and to take any other necessary measures required to expand the University’s educational responsibility.

In addition, the Board

  • appointed Petteri Alahuhta as a new member of the Board of the the University of Oulu Scholarship Foundation. Professor Harri Haapasalo was appointed Chair and Petteri Alahuhta Vice Chair.
  • approved its updated annual schedule.
Created 1.10.2026 | Updated 1.10.2026