Arto Maaninen received the rector's insignia

Arto Maaninen, the rector of the University of Oulu, was presented with the rector’s chain of office, gown, and flag during a ceremony held at the Linnanmaa campus on 21 January. The rector’s gown and chain of office are symbols of the university's rector, worn at academic ceremonies such as the opening ceremony of the academic year and doctoral conferments. Arto Maaninen is the ninth rector of the University of Oulu.
Rehtori Arto Maaninen pitämässä puhetta seremoniassa. Hänellä on päällään rehtorin viitta ja käädyt. Etualalla on kukkia.

The event featured music from the Teekkaritorvet, along with speeches by Mikko Ayub, Vilma Sippola, and Arto Maaninen. Additionally, Jouko Niinimäki, who served two terms as rector, handed over the rector’s flag to Arto Maaninen.

Jouko Niinimäki, Mikko Ayub, Vilma Sippola ja Arto Maaninen hymyilevät yhteiskuvassa seremonian jälkeen.
Jouko Niinimäki (on the left), Mikko Ayub, Vilma Sippola ja Arto Maaninen

In his speech, Mikko Ayub, chair of the board of directors of the University of Oulu, highlighted the importance of the university and thanked Jouko Niinimäki for leaving the institution in excellent condition as it transitions to a new rector. He noted that the university has evolved and adapted to changing times.

Ayub remarked that Arto Maaninen begins his term in a challenging time, during which critical thinking is under threat. While expressing satisfaction with investments being made for the universities despite a challenging financial climate, he stressed the responsibility of university members to justify the importance of such funding.

“It is not enough to simply state that we have researched something and share the research results. We must also explain to the public why it was necessary to spend money on that particular research,” Ayub emphasized.

Ayub predicted that over the next decade, there would be a growing debate about the number and locations of higher education institutions in Finland.

“We must not become complacent. Preparations for this must begin well before the issue comes to the fore,” he warned.

Vilma Sippola, chair of the board of the Student Union of the University of Oulu, expressed in her speech a wish for cooperation and open dialogue between the university’s leadership and the student union.

“It is crucial to uphold the quality of education and students’ wellbeing to ensure that the university remains an attractive place to study and continues to produce skilled professionals for the future.”

Sippola reflected on the symbolism behind the student union’s emblem featured on the rector’s chain of office, seeing it as a representation of continuity.

“It symbolises facing challenges and opportunities together as a united university community,” she said.

Airuet laittamassa käätyjä Arto Maanisen kaulaan, jolla on rehtorin viitta.
Rector Arto Maaninen was presented with the rector's chain of office and gown during the ceremony.

In his address, Rector Arto Maaninen expressed pride in the University of Oulu’s ability to bring science and various societal actors closer together.

“We, as university members, work through science and education to understand changing situations and enable society to adapt to these changes sustainably. Education and knowledge carries us through crises.”

Maaninen highlighted the successful development of the university’s research activities, noting that the University of Oulu is currently the fourth most successful university in Finland in terms of total EU funding and ranks first in consortium projects.

The university’s education is being developed through the Noste programme, which has now entered its implementation phase.

“We now have sufficient resources for the next four years to complete this development programme and elevate education to the same high level as research has achieved in recent years,” Maaninen stated.

He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the Rector of the University of Oulu.

“We have an excellent spirit of collaboration across the university, which allows me to start my term as rector with relative peace of mind. I also want to warmly thank Jouko Niinimäki for his dedicated work in advancing the university’s success.”

Rehtorin käädyt sinistä samettia vasten

The rector’s chain of office

  • The chain of office was designed by Börje Rajalin.
  • The front of the chain features the university’s emblem, Kaj Kajander’s “Towers,” while the back bears the student union’s emblem, Fiat Lux (“Let there be light”).
  • The chain was introduced in 1967, on the eighth anniversary of the University of Oulu’s first opening ceremony.
  • Made of silver, the chain weighs approximately one kilogram.
  • Each rector is allocated a golden plate on the chain, engraved with their name and term of office upon completion.
  • The university also has a travel chain for the rector.

The rector’s gown

  • The rector’s gown was designed by artist Hannu Väisänen and sewn by Kaisa Sihvonen.
  • The current gown was introduced in 2017 during the tenure of Rector Jouko Niinimäki.
  • Before this, rectors used a gown designed by artist Vuokko Nurmesniemi in collaboration with the Finnish Association of Friends of Handicraft. This gown was first presented to Rector Erkki Koiso-Kanttila in 1968.
  • The patterns on the gown symbolise knowledge, heart, and sharing.
  • The fabric is slightly shimmering Italian blue velvet.

The rector’s flag

  • The university’s flag was introduced during its 40th anniversary in 1998 under Rector Lauri Lajunen. A desk-sized version of the flag was created for the rector.
  • The outgoing rector hands over the flag to their successor.

Rectors of the University of Oulu

Arto Maaninen 2025–
Jouko Niinimäki 2015–2024
Lauri Lajunen 1993–2015
Juhani Oksman 1990–1993
L. Kalevi Korhonen 1987–1990
Markku Mannerkoski 1968–1987
Erkki Koiso-Kanttila 1965–1968
Niilo Söyrinki 1963–1965
Pentti Kaitera 1959–1962

Last updated: 21.1.2025