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At the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥, we pride ourselves in our ability to offer students the best possible environment during their studies. The state-of-the-art labs, the comfortable learning spaces, the various university support services, as well as the active student associations, are just some of the things that JYU provides to ensure a well-rounded student experience. However, we want to go beyond that! We don’t want our students to just leave with a degree - we want them to leave with a sense of community! 

Embracing international alumni 

As part of its ongoing internationalisation efforts, the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ hosted its first-ever International Alumni Induction Ceremony on May 20th, 2025. The goal? To send a clear message that both exchange students and international master’s degree students are valued and permanent members of the JYU alumni family. 

The ceremony, held in the university’s iconic Main Building—where many of these students began their Finnish journey—brought together around 150 students to reflect on their time in Jyväskylä and to celebrate their accomplishments one last time with friends and peers. 

As several exchange students noted, the ceremony gave them an opportunity to consider returning to JYU: this time as full degree students or even future doctoral candidates. 

For many of our international master’s students, this event brought a sense of closure and reaffirmed their connection to both Finland and the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥. 

Vice Rector for Education, Marja-Leena Laakso, captured the spirit of the day perfectly:

For each and every one of you—no matter how long your stay in Jyväskylä has been—this city will always be your second home, and we will always be proud of you.

Opportunities for alumni 

Heli Mäki, JYU’s Alumni Coordinator, warmly welcomed students to the alumni network, sharing the many benefits of staying connected: access to a global professional and academic network, continuous learning opportunities, and ways to stay involved with the university community. 

Marketing Specialist Anni Karhunen elaborated on the wealth of opportunities available through the alumni study right, as well as the Open University, encouraging students to stay curious and continue learning. 

Veera Pullinen from International Student Admissions and Tuula Oksanen, Graduate School Coordinator, provided information on academic pathways forward —including doctoral studies and continuing education at JYU. 

Students supporting students 

At JYU, we believe that students know their own needs best. So, it’s no surprise that this event was organised by a student with the support of the International Student Ambassador Team. 

Our two co-hosts for the day, Pattarada Sangnark and Anton Tarvainen, both JYU student ambassadors, guided the ceremony with warmth and professionalism, ensuring the event felt personal and worthwhile. 

The event also featured inspiring student voices. Idlin Berta Arshinova, PR and Communication Manager for the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Jyväskylä, shared her story, from exchange student to full-on master’s degree student, and reminded students of all the fun they’ve had with ESN and how the organisation gave them a sense of community during the exchange. 

We’re also grateful to Venla Suosalo, Chair of the Student Union (JYY), for reminding us of the essential support JYY continues to provide for all students, both during and after their studies. 

Joining a worldwide community 

As students enjoyed traditional Finnish treats—Finnish doughnuts or munkki, coffee, tea, and Pommac—many also registered on the JYU alumni portal. It might have seemed like a fun thing to do between taking photos with certificates and cheerful friends, but it marked something deeper: the beginning of their journey into a community of over 40,000 alumni worldwide!

We hope to see you around campus—and the city—for years to come!

The organisers would like to thank, in addition to those mentioned in the article, Digital Services, Data Team, University Printing Services, Marketing Specialist Heli Syrjälä, Graphic Designer Tiina Salminen, custodial staff and the entire International Student Ambassador 2024-2025 team for making this event possible! We also thank Jyväspeksi for entertaining our guests!