LUT
LUT University (Lappeenranta–Lahti University of Technology LUT) is a public science university in Finland, bringing together the fields of technology, business and social sciences.
Clean energy, water and air are life-giving resources for which we at LUT University seek new solutions with our expertise in technology, business and social sciences. We help society and businesses in their sustainable renewal. Our international community consists of nearly 8 000 members. Our campuses are in Lappeenranta and Lahti, Finland. We are one of the top universities in the world for climate action.
As a public university, the supreme decision making body of the university is the Board, which is responsible, among other things, for determining the university’s operations and key financing objectives, as well as overall strategy and management principles. Acting as Chairman of the Board is Teresa Kemppi-Vasama. The Secretary of the Board is Riikka Sund. Rector Juha-Matti Saksa heads the activity of the university and is responsible for the effective fulfillment of the university’s mission. In addition to the rector, the university has three vice rectors. Jaana Sandström is responsible for education, Jari Hämäläinen for research and innovation and Truus Poels for Human Resource Development. In the absence of the rector, the vice rector for education is in charge of the university.
LUT is founded in 1969, our community comprises 8,000 individuals from 98 different nationalities. With a commitment to research and academic excellence, we have produced a total of 1,037 scientific publications and nurtured 7,110 graduate students. Among our graduates, there are 783 recipients of Master’s degrees, including 543 in Engineering and 240 in Business Administration. Additionally, 416 Bachelor’s degrees have been awarded, with 291 in Technology and 125 in Economics and Business Administration. Furthermore, 59 Doctoral degrees have been conferred, with 54 in technology and 5 in business. Our diverse student body encompasses 7,110 individuals representing 98 different nationalities. Moreover, approximately 816 students are engaged in continuing education, while 1,090 students are enrolled in the Open University program. In terms of staff, we have a dedicated team of 1,237 individuals, including 633 academic staff members. Financially, for the year 2022, our operations are supported by a combination of Ministry of Education basic financing amounting to 56.3 million euros.
The Junior University Team
The mission of Junior University team is to promote science, technology and sustainability education for children and young people in line with the strategies and focus areas of the LUT universities.
Our aim is to awaken the interest of children and young people in mathematics, science, technology, business and research, and also for university studies. We also support the development of the competence of sustainability among the children and young people.
LUT Team
Maiju Rintakumpu is the designer of the Junior University at LUT University. She works in several science and technology education projects, where she holds workshops for children and young people, as well as trainings for teachers. She has a bachelor’s degree in education and is graduating as a master of philosophy and IT teacher. She has created social media content for projects and conducted further training on digital skills, especially for early childhood education workers.
Dr. Leena Ikonen is the coordinator responsible for STEM education at LUT University, especially within the context of the LUMA Centre Finland network https://www.luma.fi/en/ . Junior University is one of the 13 LUMA centres founded by Finnish universities, which cooperate in developing and sharing best STEM education practices in the whole country, each of the them supporting schools and teachers in their surrounding communities. Dr. Ikonen also coordinates local STEM activities, like educational visits to campus and various science events. Her background is in computer science, particularly intelligent computing and machine vision, and thus her interests in science and technology education focus on programming activities.
Nina Herttuainen works at LUT University in the Junior University team as a designer. Started working in the educational institution cooperation team in 2019 as a LUMA assistant. Has been closely involved in the team’s project activities and worked as a project manager. Education: mechanical engineering engineer (AMK) and nurse (AMK).
Participating Schools in the Finish Team
Lappeenrannan Lyseon lukio is an upper secondary school in Lappeenranta. It has approximately 750 students (16-19-year-olds) and 45 teachers. Students can study on the general line or science line in Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
Lappeenranta Kimpinen High School is general upper secondary school founded in 1939, focused especially on internationalisation, sports and entrepreneurial studies. Currently there are about 600 students and 40 teachers
Sammonlahti School, Lappeenranta Sammonlahti school was founded in 1989 and offers basic education. Pupils in school are aged 7-15 in grades 1-9. There are 950 students and 85 teachers. For the moment there are 4 departments and units are different places. In the middle school there are about 400 students (7-9 th graders). In August of 2025 there will be a new school building combining units which also includes a sports hall, public library, youth center and kindergarten. School is located on the west side of Lappeenranta.
