Arto Maaninen appointed as new Rector of the University of Oulu

The Rector of the University of Oulu for the five-year term starting in 2025 has been selected. The decision was made by the University Board of Directors on Thursday, 26th September 2024.

According to Mikko Ayub, Chair of the Board of Directors, three excellent candidates were interviewed for the position. The Board voted on the election, and Maaninen was elected in the first round after receiving more than half the votes.

“Arto Maaninen has a strong track record of successful performance as a leader and Vice Rector. His experience, combined with being familiar with the operating environment, provides a solid foundation for succeeding in the role of Rector. In his previous positions, Maaninen has shown an ability to build collaborative relationships with the surrounding society and international networks,” says Mikko Ayub.

Arto Maaninen has served as the Vice Rector for Cooperation at the University of Oulu since December 2017. Prior to this, he worked at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland in research management roles and as a Research Professor in Printed Intelligence. Maaninen has been an Adjunct Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Oulu since 2004.

“I am extremely grateful for the trust placed in me and excited to take on the role of Rector. I will do my very best for the future success of my alma mater, together with the university community,” says Arto Maaninen.

The University Board of Directors opened the position of Rector for applications at the beginning of June. By the deadline of 26th July 2024, a total of 20 individuals had applied for the role. In the final stages of the selection process, alongside Arto Maaninen, were Helka-Liisa Hentilä, Professor and former Vice Rector for Education at the University of Oulu, and Mika Hannula, Vice Rector for Societal Interaction and Impact at the University of Turku.

“We on the Board of Directors are pleased that the position attracted such interest. It shows that the University of Oulu is among the leading universities in Finland. The university community can confidently continue their good work as the baton passes to the new Rector,” says Mikko Ayub.

The Rector leads the university’s activities and is responsible for the effective and economical management of the university’s duties. Arto Maaninen will become the ninth Rector of the University of Oulu, which was founded in 1958.

The outgoing Rector, Professor of Fibre and Particle Engineering, Jouko Niinimäki, has served as the university’s Rector for two terms since 2015.