Students elected Lecturer and Teacher of the Year

The title Lecturer of the Year traditionally goes to a lecturer that motivates and inspires students through his or her teaching. Pia Polsa is described as an inspiring lecturer with a thorough knowledge of the subject. She also has a genuine interest in the students’ education and success. The students also commended her for the practical examples she uses to illustrate her teaching.

“I hold this award in high esteem because I think the students represent the future and the investment you make in them will in turn benefit society”, says Pia Polsa. “Confucius said that if you think in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people”, Polsa states. Pia also thinks that teaching and research support each other: teaching inspires research and students in turn gain from new, unpublished research.

In December 2016 the Students’ Association in Vaasa appointed Jesper Haga, Lecturer in Finance, Teacher of the Year 2016. He is described as an enthusiastic lecturer that keeps students highly motivated. He also has an ability to explain complicated matters in an easy way.

"I feel very happy and thankful. There can be no greater award than to be elected Teacher of the Year by students – they are the ones you work for during the courses. The only thing that compares to this is the feeling you get when you see students develop", says Jesper Haga. "I have the good fortune of teaching a subject I love and I try to pass on this enthusiasm to the students", Haga continues.