An artist stands on a ladder in front of a large mural.

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Competence News

Agora (ISSN 2242-2528) is the online magazine of Satakunta University of Applied Sciences.

We also publish blog posts about the work at SAMK and the people who do it, topics from studies to research and the politics of higher education – with a personal touch.

If you wish, you can subscribe to our newsletter, where you will receive a compilation of our latest news a few times a year.
As part of the programme, a panel discussion explored different perspectives on how the education and competence of professionals in adapted physical activity have developed in the 2020s, as well as the key future competence needs and development measures.

The seminar on adapted physical activity brought together experts and practitioners from the field at SAMK

Soveltavan liikunnan päivät (hereafter, Adapted Physical Activity Seminar), co-ordinated by the Finnish Society of Sports Sciences, was held this year at the SAMK Campus Pori. The two-day event brought together around 250 participants from across Finland.

The first alumni exhibition, URA I, is on display at the SAMK Fine Arts Campus in Kankaanpää.

The first alumni exhibition showcases visual artists’ career paths

The first alumni exhibition, URA I, at the SAMK Fine Arts Campus in Kankaanpää, brings together visual artists who have graduated from Kankaanpää.

Menghua Liang-Haavisto completed her Finnish nursing degree at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) in 2021.

SAMK alumna Menghua Liang-Haavisto named Satakunta’s New Entrepreneur of the Year

Menghua Liang-Haavisto from Pori, entrepreneur and founder of Kiinalainen Hoitola Liang, has been named the winner of the Satakunta New Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 competition. This was the fifth time the annual award was presented.

Research, Development and Innovation

Related articles
As part of the programme, a panel discussion explored different perspectives on how the education and competence of professionals in adapted physical activity have developed in the 2020s, as well as the key future competence needs and development measures.

The seminar on adapted physical activity brought together experts and practitioners from the field at SAMK

Soveltavan liikunnan päivät (hereafter, Adapted Physical Activity Seminar), co-ordinated by the Finnish Society of Sports Sciences, was held this year at the SAMK Campus Pori. The two-day event brought together around 250 participants from across Finland.

A wind turbine against a bright blue sky.

Center of Expertise for Resource Wisdom strengthens Satakunta’s competitiveness

SAMK’s new Center of Expertise for Resource Wisdom brings together the expertise of around 30 researchers and lecturers. The Center develops solutions for sustainable growth, competitiveness and security of supply. The Center has an ambitious long-term goal: to make Satakunta Finland’s most resource-wise region.

SuomiAreena events take place across Pori. The photo shows a panel discussion from a few years ago in the courtyard of Pori City Hall.

SAMK at SuomiAreena, in themes of space technology, expertise and a sustainable future

SAMK will participate in SuomiAreena in Pori from 23 to 26 June 2026. SAMK will be contributing both the Kansalaistori (Citizen square) programme and SuomiAreena’s Suuri avaruuspäivä (Big Space Day) which will explore the opportunities offered by space technology and Finland’s role as a future success story.

A movement break session was held as part of SAMK’s staff day in August.

At SAMK, the workplace community is developed together

At SAMK, the primary purpose of the staff survey is not measurement in itself but developing the workplace community. The results provide a basis for discussing what works well and what could be improved.

Distinguished SAMK employees were awarded at the Staff Day.

Distinguished SAMK employees awarded at the Staff Day

At SAMK’s Staff Day, distinguished employees and communities were recognised for their achievements. Awards were presented in several categories, including success story, project operator, communicator, teacher and SAMK person of the year, as well as for outstanding community-building activities.

According to Katariina Yrjönkoski, SAMK’s strength is its ability to get things moving.

Katariina Yrjönkoski, Faculty Dean, sees SAMK as a bold and forward-looking institution

Katariina Yrjönkoski has been working at SAMK for a few months now as the Dean of the Faculty of Technology and Maritime Studies. To her, SAMK presents itself as a modern, agile and forward-looking higher education institution, where collaboration takes place both internally and with working life.

Meet the editorial team

Inna Saarinen

Planning Officer for Communications and Marketing
+358 44 710 3052 inna.saarinen@samk.fi
Editor-in-Chief
Office
President
Operating unit
Communication Services
Establishment
SAMK Campus Pori

I work in external communications at SAMK. My responsibilities include news and article production, newsletters and blogs, media communications and relations, as well as SAMK’s website.

I also work as a part-time teacher.

Jani Wahlman

Head of Communications and Marketing
+358 44 710 3987 jani.wahlman@samk.fi
Member of the Editorial Board
Office
President
Operating unit
Communication Services
Other roles in organisation
Member of the management group
Establishment
SAMK Campus Pori

At SAMK, I work as a member of the communications and marketing team and manage communications services. I have a MSc degree

(Econ. & Bus. adm), MA degree and a BBA degree.

Jatta Lehtonen

Planning Officer for Communications and Marketing
+358 44 710 6327 jatta.lehtonen@samk.fi
Member of the Editorial Board
Office
President
Operating unit
Communication Services
Establishment
SAMK Campus Pori

Brand and employer branding. Recruitment marketing. Marketing communications support for operational units.