The Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences Annual Report 2024 has been published. We invested in high-quality education and research, internationality and continuous learning.
The Annual General Meeting approved the financial statements for 2024 on 23 April. President Teemu Kokko, the year was strongly forward-looking.
– For us, 2024 was about laying the foundations. We strengthened the link between teaching and RDI, and made partner cooperation and alumni activities even more central. We invested in continuous learning, pedagogy and digital solutions" summarises Kokko.
During the year, Haaga-Helia prepared for the new strategy period, the negotiations for the Ministry of Education and Culture's 2025-2028 contract period and the renewed funding model.
In 2024, a major decision was also made to give up the premises of the Haaga Reston campus when the lease expires in 2027, to be replaced by a new, innovative learning environment RestoCamp in the Tripla shopping centre in Pasila.
In 2024, Haaga-Helia completed 1,764 Bachelor's degrees and 366 Master's degrees. There were 377 graduates from Vocational Teacher Education.
In Bachelor of Business Administration (IT) degree, the number of graduates within the target time broke records. A total of 36,000 credits were completed at the Open University of Applied Sciences.
Haaga-Helia maintained its appeal among the applicants. Nearly 38,000 applications were received, and even a record number of master's degrees were received.
An international UlysseusAI degree, which combines artificial intelligence and business, attracted particular interest. The new Master's degree was one of the most popular training courses in the autumn in relation to the starting places.
This is the first European joint degree coordinated by a Finnish university of applied sciences.
The growth in education exports in China and Latin America reflected Haaga-Helia's investments in internationalism. There were already 200 international partner schools.
More students left for long-term international exchange than from any other Finnish university of applied sciences. During the year, a total of 1,653 student and personnel exchanges were carried out.
International students praised Haaga-Helia's level of teaching and student-centred support services.
Haaga-Helia's investment in research, development and innovation continues to be strong. A record number of project applications were submitted during the year, and external RDI funding amounted to EUR 4.3 million.
The projects have tackled themes such as digitalisation, artificial intelligence, its regulation and ethics, and responsibility. For the first time, the value of the project portfolio exceeded EUR 20 million. At the end of the year, 113 projects were under way.
Haaga-Helia's economy remained stable. Operating profit was marginally positive (284965.40). Investment and financial results (EUR 4.7 million) increased the result for the financial year to EUR 5.0 million.
Haaga-Helia also launched a four-year stabilisation programme with the aim of eur 5.5 million impact on the economy.
– With the programme, we will build future resentability and prepare for future changes in the higher education field, Kokko says.
There were many investments in the well-being of students and staff. Student Union Helga was active in supporting nearly 11,000 students in Haaga-Helia.
According to the career monitoring survey, 87% of alumni were satisfied with their degree in Haaga-Helia. The university was also still an attractive employer: the number of employees at the end of the year was 721.
– Our community's greatest asset is its students and staff. As a responsible actor, we take care of everyone and create the conditions to be a good place to work and study for all of us. Together, we are building the future success of Haaga-Helia responsibly, Kokko sums up.
