Teacher of the Year
Who is Savonia University of Applied Sciences’ Teacher of the Year 2025? Nominate now!
The Student Union SAVOTTA is looking for the Teacher of the Year 2025! We want to hear students’ experiences and highlight a teacher who, through their inspiring approach, excellent expertise, and student-centered attitude, has made a positive impact on students’ everyday life.
With this recognition, we want to thank and encourage teachers who make studying meaningful, safe, and community-oriented. Do you have a teacher whose classes you’ve genuinely enjoyed? Someone who listens, supports, and makes learning exciting — maybe even a bit easier and more fun? Now is the time to let us know!
📝 Submit your proposal by Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 12:00 PM.
Let’s celebrate great teaching together – nominate your Teacher of the Year today!
Teacher of the Year 2025 is Petri Suohovi
The Student Union SAVOTTA has the pleasure and honor of naming Senior Lecturer in Emergency Care Petri Suohovi as Savonia University of Applied Sciences’ Teacher of the Year 2025. Suohovi works at Savonia’s Microkatu campus. The students who nominated him describe him as someone who approaches his work with encouragement and by truly listening to his students. He is said to always be cheerful, helpful, and highly supportive of students. Students say that Suohovi is a teacher who leaves a lasting impression in many ways – even because of his fine socks.
In the eyes of the students, Petri is a teacher who does more than just teach – he truly connects. In his classes, it is easy to breathe, ask questions, and grow. He listens sincerely, encourages generously, and knows how to make even the most complex topics understandable. Petri’s teaching reflects strong professional competence, but also a warm heart – and that is why he remains in students’ minds as a teacher who carries out his work with his whole personality and heartfelt dedication. A teacher like him makes the learning journey meaningful.
Warm thanks to everyone who nominated a Teacher of the Year! We received a total of 333 excellent nominations, proposing 122 different teachers from all fields of education. The students’ proposals once again included familiar names from previous years, such as Hannu Viitala, Terhi Kulo, Maija Huuskonen, Abdelazim Hannoura, and many other highly valued professionals. It is also a pleasure to note that the students’ nominations recognized and praised many professionals who are at the beginning of their teaching careers.
Chair of the Student Union Board Tiina Landén reminded that although student life is busy, its most valuable moments are created through encounters – the kind that build a community where everyone belongs. Landén also expressed her joy that within Savonia’s student community, consideration for others, participation, and working together are truly valued. This sense of community is supported by both the university and the city of Kuopio, which is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year.
The Teachers Nominated as the Teacher of the Year in Savonia UAS
- 2025 Petri Suohovi / Social and Health Care
- 2024 Terhi Kulo / Nursing
- 2023 Maija Huuskonen / Engineering
- 2022 Anu Karhemaa / Nursing, Iisalmi
- 2021 Hannu Viitala / Natural resources, Iisalmi
- 2020 Jouni Silfver / Design
- 2019 Sirkka Malila / Social and Health care
- 2018 Abdelazim Hannoura / International Business
- 2017 Terttu Niskanen / Business
- 2016 Paula Niemi / Music and dance
- 2015 Marja-Anneli Hynynen / Social and Health care
- 2014 Ilkka Markkula / Social and Health care
- 2013 Auli Pohjolainen / Iisalmi
- 2012 Olli Sankilampi / Engineering
- 2011 gap year, rewarding was transferred from at the start of school year to the end of the school year (vappu)
- 2010 Juhani Rouvali / Engineering
- 2009 Eeva-Riitta Ylinen / Social and Health care
- 2008 Heikki Likitalo / Business
- 2007 Ilkka Markkula / Social and Health care
- 2006 Iiris Matilainen / Iisalmi
- 2005 Jouko Kivimäki / Design
- 2004 Seija Lötjönen / Tourism