Learning and meeting hub Ydin

Ydin is the University of Oulu’s learning and meeting hub in Oulu city centre at Isokatu 32. It brings the university, science, students and researchers closer to local residents. You can come to Ydin to study, work, meet people, take part in events and learn about the university’s activities.

Ydin is a place open to everyone for learning, knowledge and encounters. Its programme includes, for example, talks by researchers, discussions, alumni interviews, workshops, science education and other accessible science events. As a rule, events are open to everyone and free of charge.

Ydin also serves as a platform for experimentation and development. The experiences gathered from the space will help us determine what kinds of activities, services and facilities the university will need in Oulu city centre in the future.

Street-level space open to everyone

Ydin’s street-level space is open to everyone. During opening hours, you can come to study, work, read, meet people or follow the latest programme. The space is intended for local residents, students, staff, alumni and anyone interested in the university’s activities.

Self-service access for members of the university community

Ydin’s upstairs study, group-work and meeting spaces are available to University of Oulu students and staff with an access card throughout the year, every day from 8.00 to 21.00. Any exceptions will be announced separately.

Further information about the student access card

Ydin is a space for meeting and working together. The upstairs area is not a quiet space: group work and normal conversation are allowed. For focused work, we recommend using headphones, for example.

Ydin’s facilities are intended for the university’s own activities and are not rented to external organisations. Bookings can be made by University of Oulu staff and degree students.

For students

Students can book Ydin’s upstairs group-work and meeting rooms through the Asio application, which is being piloted (coming soon), for a maximum of three hours at a time. If you need a larger space, contact the service desk at ydin@oulu.fi.

For staff

The downstairs event space, Ydin Stage (40 people), can be booked through the Ydin service desk at ydin@oulu.fi. For the time being, the upstairs rooms Analyysi (14 people) and Argumentti (12 people) are also booked through the same address (later through the room-booking application), for a maximum of three hours at a time. Priority is given to meetings and appointments with university stakeholders. The rooms cannot be booked as personal offices for staff or for continuous individual work. For your own events, you are fully responsible for the arrangements, costs and any marketing.

Ydin can host lectures, discussions, workshops, interviews, exhibitions and other events related to the university’s activities and science. Ydin’s primary aim is to make the university’s expertise and research accessible to the general public. Events may be held in Finnish, English or another language.

When an event is held during Ydin’s public opening hours, from 12.00 to 18.00 Tuesday to Thursday, the programme must be open to everyone and of interest to the general public. At other times, university staff and student organisations may also book the downstairs space for their own work-related or student-organisation events.

Outside public opening hours, only people invited to the event may be admitted to the space. Other members of the university community may still access the upstairs facilities during events.

The event organiser is responsible for ensuring that invited guests leave the premises after the event.

Ydin’s facilities are not rented to organisations outside the university.

The following event formats, for example, may be suitable for Ydin’s programme:

• Popular expert talks of around 30 minutes, starting at 17.00 Tuesday to Thursday
• Unique from Oulu: discussions of up to 60 minutes (host/interviewer and 2–3 panellists), starting at 17.00 Tuesday to Thursday
• popular science events
• alumni and student interviews
• workshops and science education activities
• exhibitions and research presentations
• multilingual events and events aimed at international audiences.

If the event is not part of Ydin’s regular programme series (Expert talks, Unique from Oulu), you are responsible for the event arrangements, marketing and any costs.

The event space offers live-streaming facilities. Details of any online broadcast will be provided with the information for each event.

During opening hours, one or two members of staff are present and can also assist with event technology.

Enquire about possible event dates and the suitability of the space by email: ydin@oulu.fi.

Catering

Catering can only be ordered for the downstairs event area. Coffee service cannot be ordered for the upstairs meeting rooms.

Catering for events and meetings downstairs can be ordered from Uniresta (Juhula Catering), which is familiar with the facilities and can deliver the catering and collect the tableware after the event. Ydin does not provide tableware. For further information about catering and prices, contact ydin@oulu.fi.

Ydin is an alcohol- and substance-free space and is not licensed to serve alcohol.

Ydin does not have a café. There is a paid coffee machine upstairs, and users are encouraged to bring their own cup. You can fill your own water bottle at the water point.

UniOulu Shop operates in connection with Ydin. Its selection includes University of Oulu merchandise and gifts for students, staff, alumni, partners and friends of the university. The products are displayed on the street level and can only be purchased during public opening hours, when Ydin staff are present. The selection includes T-shirts, sweatshirts, various accessories, water bottles, drinking mugs and bags.

Please note that UniOulu Shop accepts card payments only. Products that are not faulty cannot be returned or exchanged. Any faulty products will be handled in accordance with consumer protection legislation.

You can also purchase University of Oulu merchandise online. Please note that the online shop for corporate gifts intended for staff use in work-related duties is at a different address; instructions are available on the Patio intranet.

Street-level space open to everyone

Tuesday to Thursday, 12.00–18.00, from 27 October 2026 (Christmas break 18 December–6 January).

Staff are available during these hours. The telephone number for the Ydin service desk is 050 598 6381.

University of Oulu students and staff

Every day from 8.00 to 21.00 with an access card, from 27 October 2026

Accessibility

There is an access ramp at the front entrance and a lift between the floors. There is an accessible toilet with a baby-changing table downstairs.

Follow Ydin

Ydin’s events and current information are published on this website. You can follow Ydin on Instagram at @ydinunioulu.

Can I visit Ydin without a university affiliation?

Yes. The street-level public space and Ydin’s public events are open to everyone. You can visit Ydin to explore the space, study, work, meet people or follow the programme.

Do I need an access card?

No access card is needed for the street-level public space during public opening hours. Self-service access to the upstairs facilities requires a University of Oulu degree student or staff access card.

Is Ydin a quiet study space?

No. Ydin is intended for meeting and working together. Group work and normal conversation are allowed, so headphones are recommended for focused work.

Is there a café at Ydin?

No. There is a paid coffee machine and a water point upstairs. Users of the coffee machine are encouraged to bring their own cup.

Is Wi-Fi available at Ydin? What about a printer?

The Eduroam network is available at Ydin. There is one printer.

How many people can Ydin accommodate?

The maximum capacity downstairs is 45 people. The upstairs area can accommodate around 100 people.

Are events subject to a fee?

As a rule, Ydin’s public events are free of charge and open to everyone.

What languages are events held in?

Events may be held in Finnish, English or other languages, depending on the topic and target audience.

Can I organise my own event at Ydin?

The organiser of an event at Ydin must be a member of the university community, and the event must be related to the university’s activities. Programmes held during public opening hours must be open to everyone and of interest to the general public. Ydin’s facilities are not rented to external organisations.

Can I follow an event online?

Some events may be live-streamed. Details of any online broadcast will be provided in the event information.

Can I suggest an event topic?

Yes. Ydin’s activities are developed in dialogue with the public. You can send topics and ideas to ydin@oulu.fi.

Can I bring a poster, roll-up banner or other permanent display to Ydin?

Ydin does not have a noticeboard. To keep the space safe and uncluttered, loose notices or advertisements must not be displayed or left there. If necessary, contact the staff at ydin@oulu.fi.