All Haagahelians had the opportunity to make great achievements in our organisation visible by nominating winners for the Deeds of the Year 2023. The four winners were selected out of a total of 50 proposals.
There were four award categories: Pedagogical Deed of the Year, RDI Deed of the Year, Societal Deed of the Year and Community Deed of the Year. The selection took into account acts or activities that develop Haaga-Helia, novelty value, Haaga-Helia's values and strategic priorities.
The selection committee, which included representatives of different areas of responsibility, made a proposal for the Deeds of the Year to the President of Haaga-Helia, who confirmed the awardees. The awarded groups get to celebrate these great achievements with a joint restaurant dinner.
Principal Lecturer Eija Honkanen, who is part of the group awarded for the pedagogical deed of the year, says she appreciates this recognition. The group developed a thesis model for special support.
– Through pedagogical choices, we support students' ability to study. It's great that Haaga-Helia cares about its students and their learning. This prize is one concrete proof of it, Eija comments.
Rosa Weckman, study coach and mediator in charge of Turvaamo, says that the time seems ripe for talk about well-being, safety and different kinds of learners to be reflected in actions and Haaga-Helia's structures. Rosa was involved in the development of both the thesis model for special support and Haaga-Helia's safer space approach Turvaamo, which was awarded for the community deed of the year.
– It feels good that the higher education community, to which I am very committed, sees the significance of the work as well. Under the Sole project, we were able to develop Turvaamo and the thesis model for special support. Now is the time to embed practices even more strongly in Haaga-Helia's structures, and this will definitely be done with a big heart together, Rosa says.
The Pedagogical Deed of the Year was awarded for the development of high-quality education, learning and mentoring.
Eija Honkanen, Salme Jarvansalo, Nina Koivisto, Heikki Ursin and Rosa Weckman were rewarded for developing a thesis model for special support.
Arguments, e.g.: A pedagogically developing deed that has a special impact on students and their graduation.
The RDI Deed of the Year was awarded for promoting high-quality research, development and innovation activities.
The winner of the RDI Deed of the Year is Creative agency Krea: Jenni Brisk, Sari Haavisto, Graham Hill, Merike Koskinen, Ville Lahtinen, Susanna Luoma, Johanna Mäkeläinen, Veera Nguyen and Hanna Tattari.
Arguments, e.g.: Successfully combining teaching and RDI, dynamic and versatile platform for promoting projects and business cooperation. Krea offers an excellent platform for various research, development and innovation projects. Krea provides good and student-centered material that promotes projects in an innovative way. Combining courses and RDI activities is a natural part of the learning process, taking into account the learning objectives. It always surprises with its versatility, innovativeness and usability for each project’s needs.
The Societal Deed of the Year was awarded for promoting high-quality commercial, international or regional development activities at Haaga-Helia.
Competence Area Director Malin Lahdensuo was awarded for being a special implementer of regional impact and business cooperation
Arguments, e.g.: Malin Lahdensuo has done a lot of good and sustainable work for regional development in Porvoo and its neighboring municipalities. She has networked and brought entrepreneurs to the campus and the campus operating models and contents to the awareness of local entrepreneurs. For Malla, all campus employees are important, she wants everyone on campus, both staff and students, to feel good, Malla’s interest is not limited to her own area of expertise, but she takes care that the overall picture of all degrees works in Porvoo unit. Malla promotes and ensures that the campus activities support the needs of the region and meet the demand.
The Community Deed of the Year was awarded for an action or act that has promoted Haaga-Helia's community values.
Ruut Kaukinen, Johanna Luostarinen, Eeva-Liisa Rahkonen and Rosa Weckman were rewarded for developing Turvaamo – Safer Space.
Arguments, e.g.: Development a meaningful new operating model that has an impact on students and staff. Turvaamo - Safer Space approach in Haaga-Helia promotes Haaga-Helia’s values and strategy in a concrete way in terms of the rules and operating models that promote a well-being in higher education institution. Turvaamo is based on the psychological safety experienced in the community and has gained a lot of visibility both in the higher education field (Pedaforum, webinars on higher education pedagogy, etc.) and nationally (Yle Ykkönen, Yle Aamu-tv).
Congratulations to all winners!
