We succeed together: Head of Services Paula Vaskuri and Solution Specialist Tytti Tenhula get excited about problem-solving

If nothing had changed in 30 years, the messages within the University of Oulu would still be circulating like piles of paper swayed by janitors. E-mail lists were not yet in common use in 1994, when Tytti Tenhula, who had just graduated with a master's degree in education, started working at the university.

"Hardly anyone could have guessed at the time that the day would come when all the information would travel in our pockets. There were no mobile phones or digital platforms," Tenhula recalls.

Today, digital systems and tools are such an essential part of the university's research and teaching environment that they have their own experts. Solution Specialist Tytti Tenhula and Head of Services Paula Vaskuri are part of the Centre for pedagogical support and development, which started its operations at the University of Oulu at the beginning of 2025.

Vaskuri is responsible for the development, communication and training of digital systems for teaching. Tenhula worked for a long time with support for curriculum design work in education services. Now her role is to help degree programmes integrate common generic skills into curricula.

"I think that the task of both of us is to be teachers' partners and support resources. Many teachers would like to develop teaching, but there is not always time for that, as the work has become increasingly fragmented," Paula Vaskuri knows.

The joy of success

Paula and Tytti have a 25-year joint work history at the University of Oulu, even though their job descriptions have varied over the years. In an organization with thousands of employees and up to 14,000 students, having a similar background is an advantage.

"In such a big organisation, no one can know everything. The overall picture must be built by collecting small bits of information. That's why it's a huge advantage to have a close-knit network of co-workers around. With Paula, I can always trust that she will give a critical and honest answer and not just flatter," Tenhula reflects.

Paula sees Tytti's long work history as an asset worth its weight in gold, which is especially helpful when a versatile vision is needed.

"Tytti is a solid and brilliant super expert who has the ability to mirror things from many angles. I learned from her early on that when developing teaching, you shouldn't just look at a single course but think about it from the perspective of the whole university."

This was already the case in the early 2000s, when Tenhula and Vaskuri coordinated national training in the use of information and communications technology in education (TieVie). This eventually expanded into a joint education of all Finnish universities, which was completed by more than a thousand participants over six years.

"I believe that the fact that we are passionate about challenges and solution-oriented by nature has helped us in our work. This combination has led to successes," Tenhula estimates.

"It is certainly also essential that we have always encouraged each other and rejoiced in each other's success," Vaskuri believes.

From colleague to a friend

Colleagues sometimes also call Paula and Tytti Thelma and Louise, as the friends own a convertible together. In the summer, the festival trips take place with the 18-year-old Volkswagen Eos. The costs of the hobby are divided in half.

"I wouldn't dare to buy a car with most people, but with Paula, I didn't have any doubts about this purchase at all," Tenhula says.

Tytti and Paula belong to a reading group, with whom they also go to concerts and travel. Sometimes the conversations slip into work-related matters outside the university, even though the common aim is to keep civilian life on its own territory.

"We have shared many joys and sorrows, and we have certainly also acted as each other's supervisors and therapists. In these times, when there is a lot of talk about people's loneliness, it feels meaningful that you can make long friendships at the workplace as well."

Paula Vaskuri

Job: Head of Services at the Centre for pedagogical support and development. Worked at the University of Oulu since 2001.
Education: Master of Arts
Motto: When you come up with a new way of working, you find immense strength.

Tytti Tenhula

Job: Solution Specialist at the Centre for pedagogical support and development. Worked at the University of Oulu since 1994.
Education: Master of Education
Motto: Motivation is about pulling work overalls over your dreams.