HAMK’s Student and Employee of the Year selected
Häme Vocational Higher Education and Research Foundation sr awarded Tomi Kesämäki as Student of the Year and Päivi Laaksonen as Employee of the Year at HAMK’s graduation ceremony on 12.12.2025.
The Foundation awarded scholarships to distinguished student and staff members
Häme Vocational Higher Education and Research Foundation sr awarded again the Häme University of Applied Sciences Student of the Year and Employee of the Year at HAMK’s graduation ceremony on 12.12.2025.
The Häme Foundation for Higher Vocational Education and Research wants to encourage its staff in their work and students in their studies. The Foundation’s representative asks for nominations from HAMK’s directors, Heads of Degree programmes and all supervisors.
The Foundation has awarded Häme University of Applied Sciences staff annually since 2008, and the Student of the Year has been chosen since 2006.
Selections are made based on the nominations and an overall assessment, with an emphasis on activities in line with HAMK’s strategy.
Student of the year 2024
Tomi Kesämäki, Climate Smart Agriculture, 1000 €
Tomi is fair, honest and helpful, acting as an example to other students. He is present in his studies every day and actively participates in teaching, supporting the learning of his own team and the entire study group. Tomi is active in the student organization and has worked as a tutor, supporting other students. He is genuinely interested in the agricultural sector and its future, which is evident both in class and in his activities outside of studies.
Employee of the year 2024
Päivi Laaksonen, principle research scientist, HAMK Tech, 1000 €
Päivi has extensively promoted HAMK’s research activities and success. For example, Päivi has supervised doctoral dissertations at HAMK, promoting the acquisition of a doctoral degree at HAMK, and has collaborated across unit boundaries in the preparation of various project applications and the implementation of projects. Päivi has also contributed to the success of others through her own activities.
The Foundation has awarded Häme University of Applied Sciences staff annually since 2008, and the Student of the Year has been chosen since 2006. Selections are made based on the nominations and an overall assessment, with an emphasis on activities in line with HAMK’s strategy.
The Häme Foundation for Professional Higher Education and Research fr.
The Häme Foundation for Professional Higher Education and Research was founded on 10 April 1996 and was registered with the Register of Foundations on 21 October 1997.
The Foundation is a non-profit organization and its purpose is to support and promote techno-economic and natural scientific research, product development and cultural activities within the operating area of Häme University of Applied Sciences.
The Häme Foundation for Professional Higher Education and Research receives donations, testaments and other funds, as well as awards grants and scholarships for the activities within the operating area Häme University of Applied Sciences. The Foundation may award special recognition awards to authors of outstanding discoveries or inventions in their field.
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