Annual report 2025
In 2025, HAMK enhanced its impact across many fields.
Introduction
The agenda included the preparation of the new strategy, the publication of a proposal for a professional doctorate, two new units, the development of new campuses and the expansion of RUN-EU.
The year 2025 was a significant period of development and impact for Häme University of Applied Sciences. The renewal of the strategy began with extensive collaboration involving staff, the board, stakeholders and students. Work on responsibility was made concrete through the establishment of principles and objectives for responsibility and the preparation of a new type of sustainability report.
The initiative to establish a professional doctorate advanced in November, when 12 universities of applied sciences presented their proposal for a professional doctorate in the Parliament’s Pikkuparlamentti. The proposal was met with a positive reception.
A culture of development was also realised in the creation of new units. The Research and Development Unit for Higher Education Pedagogy (HEPeda), established in May, develops teaching and learning on a strongly research-based foundation. In October, a step was taken towards even more impactful research and innovation activities when the new Innovation Unit commenced operations.
Development of new campuses progressed in Riihimäki and Hämeenlinna, and preparations were made to relocate the Häme Vocational Institute to Tavastia. The RUN-EU network expanded with two new partner universities of applied sciences.
The year was full of forward-looking decisions and reforms that strengthen HAMK’s position regionally, nationally and internationally.
Key figures
About the expertise
Increasing expertise in the use of artificial intelligence was one of the year’s most important themes.
We also focused on, among other things, developing guidance and supporting the production of high-quality learning materials not only to meet the needs of degree programmes but also for the provision of continuing education.
In May we established the Higher Education Pedagogy Research and Development Unit (HEPeda), which develops teaching and learning on a strongly research-based footing.
The unit responds to current challenges, such as the interaction between education and working life, students’ wellbeing and the smooth completion of their studies, as well as the wellbeing of the whole higher education community. During 2025 we also began designing a pedagogical programme under HEPeda’s leadership.
In addition, we drew up a long-term plan for the introduction of the Design Based Education model. We trained teaching staff and collected research data in pilots to develop the model. Several DBE implementations were carried out across all our educational units.
On internationalism
At HAMK we have approximately 1,800 international students. Our English-language provision covers all fields of education across all seven campuses. In 2025 our offering included 14 Bachelor-level (AMK) and three Master-level (YAMK) degree programmes leading to a qualification.
Teaching provision produced at the RUN European University
increased and diversified, and HAMK
students actively enrol in studies. RUN joint degrees
are being developed in line with the European Degree Label criteria
to further complement the provision aimed at students.
The RUN European University has expanded with two new universities: the University of Liberec (TUL) from the Czech Republic and the Dunărea de Jos University of Galați (UGAL) from Romania. RUN-EU now brings together ten higher education institutions from across Europe.
On research
HAMK continued to purposefully strengthen its research activities in 2025. The volume of research activities grew to 17 million euros.
We strengthened our collaboration with businesses, developed our service offerings, and expanded opportunities for participation through various educational and research environments. We carried out nearly 600 research and development projects with companies during the year. Companies’ interest in project collaboration has clearly grown, and we are actively seeking new ways and ideas to support their success.
We were involved in 172 RDI project funding applications. The number of funding applications submitted increased by 43 percent, and the amount of external funding sought increased by approximately 17 percent compared to 2024. Of the funding applications submitted, we have received positive funding decisions for 45 projects. In addition, about thirty projects are still awaiting a funding decision.
The improvement in the quality of our research activities is evidenced, for example, by the fact that we have been awarded a third project funded by the Research Council of Finland to lead, as well as new funding from Business Finland.
Our international network has continued to grow. Our reputation has strengthened further, particularly in Africa. The consortium we lead was selected from a competitive call for proposals under the Regional Teachers Initiative for Africa (RTIA) programme as the only one from Finland to develop teacher training in Africa. Research activities have been further strengthened as part of RUN European University’s continuously evolving international research groups and innovation hubs, of which we lead RUN-EU’s bioeconomy hub.
At the end of 2025, a total of 41 Principal Research Scientists were employed at HAMK. We strengthened the development of research expertise and the transition toward a more responsible, qualitative researcher evaluation. We developed new researcher evaluation criteria based on qualitative evidence and the CoARA Action Plan. HAMK has been a member of CoARA (Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment) since 2024.
On responsibility
During 2025 we will draw up HAMK’s principles of responsibility and a responsibility programme, which will give our work clear objectives and direction. We have ESG groups focusing on environmental responsibility, social responsibility and good governance, which develop, coordinate and monitor our responsibility work and are responsible for ensuring that reporting is carried out.
On economy
Hämeen University of Applied Sciences Ltd.’s turnover for the 2025 financial year was a total of €77.5 (73.2) million.
Highlights of the year
