The vocational higher education programme turns 30 – Novia a natural part of the history

The Road to Novia University of Applied Sciences

Novia University of Applied Sciences has a long and significant history and plays a central role in strengthening the regions in which it operates. By educating skilled and sought‑after professionals, Novia ensures access to a competent workforce and thereby contributes to both prosperity and well‑being in its regions.

For three decades, Finland’s universities of applied sciences have been building expertise, impact, and the competencies of the future. This work has developed step by step, with respect for society’s needs and the responsibility carried by education.

When the Act on Experimental Activities for Universities of Applied Sciences entered into force on 1 March 1991, the journey of Swedish‑language UAS education also began. The first permanent UAS system was established in 1996, laying the foundation for today’s strong and diverse educational landscape.

One of the first universities of applied sciences in Finland

The Finnish UAS system was created during the 1990s. In the midst of an economic recession, there was a determination to believe in a better future and in high‑quality education. One of the two institutions granted temporary permission already in 1991, as part of the experimental phase, was the predecessor of Novia, then known as the Vaasa Technical Temporary University of Applied Sciences.

Novia University of Applied Sciences has its roots in this development. Operations began in 1996 as a multidisciplinary institution, building on strong Swedish‑language educational traditions. Together, these elements formed a stable and forward‑looking whole that has gradually evolved into today’s Novia.

Since then, Novia has carried a clear responsibility for Swedish‑language UAS education in Finland—closely connected to working life, rooted in the regions, and with a steady focus on the future. Through education, research, and collaboration, Novia has contributed to strengthening both individuals and society.

Three decades of UAS education are also three decades of building trust. Novia stands as a strong example of how long‑term commitment, quality, and tradition can be combined with development and renewal—for the benefit of a stronger Finland.

 
For further information, please contact:

• Novia University of Applied Sciences, Rector/CEO Örjan Andersson, tel. +358 50 527 2286

Sender:

• Novia University of Applied Sciences, Communications Manager Jenny Svartsjö, tel. +358 50 561 7803