Nominate a Teacher for a Valovoima Award
Each year, the University of Oulu honours five staff members with the Valovoima Award in recognition of excellence in teaching and guidance. The awards will be presented at the Northern Pedagogy Celebration on 8 December 2026.
The theme for 2026, Creating new, reflects one of our university values. In this year's awards, particular attention will be paid to innovative approaches in teaching and guidance, creative solutions, and research-based educational development.
You can nominate a teacher or supervisor whose work demonstrates, for example:
- courageous pedagogical experimentation and a forward-looking approach
- the use of student feedback, research evidence, or data to enhance teaching
- purposeful use of artificial intelligence and new digital solutions in education
- development of new study modules or learning content
- sharing pedagogical innovations and creating broader impact across the university community
Nominations may be submitted by all members of the university community, including individual students and student groups.
Submit your nomination, together with your justification, via the Webropol form no later than 30 September 2026.
The award recipients will be selected based on the nominations and supporting justifications and will be announced at the Northern Pedagogy Celebration, which celebrates teaching, guidance, and educational development at the University of Oulu.
Now is the perfect opportunity to recognize someone whose work has positively influenced your learning experience or contributed to the student community more broadly!
Further information
OPE – Centre for Teaching Support and Development
ope@oulu.fi