Once again this year, Haaga-Helia staff and students had the opportunity to nominate the Deeds of the Year and at the same time make visible the great achievements of our community.
As in previous years, there were four award categories: pedagogical act of the year, RDI act of the year, social and international act of the year and community act of the year. The selection took into account the act or activity that advances Haaga-Helia, the novelty value, Haaga-Helia's values and strategic priorities.
This year, 37 nominations were received. A warm thank you to all those who submitted a nomination!
The pedagogical deed of the year was awarded for high quality teaching, learning and guidance in higher education or its development.
The Pedagogical Deed of the Year was won by the European Sales Competition with Kevin Gore, Riku Hytönen, Hannu Koikkalainen, Sari Mäkinen, Tuula Ryhänen, Juha Tamminen, Leena Törmälä and Johanna Vuori.
Examples of the reasons for the award include: "The event attracted around 300 university students from across Europe, Asia and the US, partners, alumni and kv-coaches. The competition was conducted as a role-playing game, which was a pedagogically sound and realistic way to practice sales skills. The event was praised for its excellent organisation."
– We were pleasantly surprised by this recognition. Organising a European sales competition was a great experience for the whole team. Role-playing games are an integral part of sales training and it is great that this recognition comes from a pedagogical work, comments Riku Hytönen from the European Sales Competition team.
The Research, Development and Innovation Deed of the Year rewarded the promotion of high-quality research, development and innovation.
The award was given to the core teams of the AiDriver work package 2: Merja Alanko-Turunen, Eevastiina Gjerstad, Eeva-Kaisa Haavisto, Eija Honkanen, Eija Kjelin, Heidi Kock, Olli Kupiainen, Mari Raaska, Juuli Venkula and Katja Wirenius.
– The recognition feels good because our team's work package has combined so many great things: cross-disciplinary expertise and collaboration across organisational boundaries, inspiring people, connecting labs, teachers, students and staff to the project in different ways, and last but not least, the results of the project in using AI in learning, says Heidi Kock from the winning team.
– The expertise and support of experienced project workers has been invaluable, and has created a strong basis for cooperation. The new, enthusiastic project workers have been welcomed with great enthusiasm. Our team's strength lies in its versatile skills, commitment to project work and a can-do spirit, adds Mari Raaska.
One of the reasons for AiDriver's award was the following: "The project has promoted the introduction of artificial intelligence at Haaga-Helia through pedagogical research, development and innovation together with students. The project has created guidelines, recommendations and best practices for using AI in teaching. The results will benefit Haaga-Helia's teachers, students and the working world. The team has shared research data and materials openly and has presented in several forums and published scientific and professional articles in various media."
The Ulysseus team of Kitte Marttinen, Emma Fuchs, Mirjam Gamrasni, Johanna Koskinen, William O'Gorman and Ana Timonen were awarded the Social and International Achievement of the Year, as well as a special mention to the first European Master's degree programme coordinated by a Finnish university of applied sciences and its main developers Lili Aunimo and Marjaana Mäkelä.
The justification highlighted the impressive international cooperation in terms of joint degrees, training provision and research promotion.
The winning team wished to send the following greetings:
Ulysseus has shown us, and the whole Haaga-Helia community, the incredible things we can achieve together by being part of a European University Alliance.
This award is a celebration of the international connections we've built, the opportunities we've created, and the shared journey we're on to make a real difference in research, education and beyond. One example is the first Joint European master's degree coordinated by a Finnish UAS that we have co-created: UlysseusAI.
We wish to thank everyone who has been part of the co-creation of Ulysseus and to encourage everyone to get involved. Cheers to us, Haaga-Helia and our partners! Thank you for the acknowledgment!
The Community Deed of the Year was awarded to an activity related to the promotion of Haaga-Helia's community values. The award went to Pasila's Property Services and Security: Hannu Hyttinen and Susanna Heinonen and Mia Kivelä.
– We are all pleasantly surprised by this recognition and the heart-warming feedback, a big thank you! We are working behind the scenes to ensure that the entire Haaga-Helia community has a comfortable and safe place to work and study. Thanks also to all of you for the good cooperation, because safety and comfort are done smarter together, the award winners say in a joint comment.
For example, the rationale for rewarding building services and security was:
"What a fantastic and service-minded team. The team is a real help to Haaga-Helia in opening doors to the world of work. Their work is always very good-humoured and backed up by a ‘can do’ attitude."
"There have been many good and visible developments in the security work during the year. New guidelines, training, staff training and crisis planning have been developed, particularly in the area of physical security. The team has worked in a professional and friendly manner to assist staff and campuses with security issues."
Student representatives have also praised the property and security team for their involvement and excellent cooperation.
