Alumni activities
Do you want to hear how things are going in your former study place? Do you want to stay in touch with fellow students? Or are you interested in hearing how you can develop your expertise? Join the alumni of SEAMK!
Alumni activities
The alumni of SEAMK Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences includes all graduates of the degree and double degree programmes of SEAMK, as well as the former mobility students. Currently we are improving Alumni activities, so new members are always welcome to join with new refreshing ideas on activities.
By filling the form, you will give us the permission to save your contact information in the Alumni register and use it for informing and marketing purposes. We will send a newsletter (2–4 times a year) to all the alumni in the register.
Benefits for SEAMK alumni
Free Open University of Applied Sciences studies
As of 1 January 2025, individual study courses (Bachelor’s and Master’s level) offered by SEAMK’s Open University of Applied Sciences are available free of charge to graduates of SEAMK for up to two years after graduation.
SEAMK Library
SEAMK Library’s printed collections are available to you even after graduation. In addition, the library offers a 20% discount on the Book an Information Specialist service.
You can book an appointment with an information specialist when you need support with defining your information needs, selecting suitable sources, or evaluating information. The service is also available remotely.
Discount on SEAMK products
As a SEAMK alumnus, you receive a 20% discount on SEAMK products when purchasing items at the Student Services service desk (Frami F, 2nd floor). Please remember to mention at the time of purchase that you are a SEAMK alumnus. Products are available in limited quantities, and the selection may vary.
Alumni pathway - advance your further studies after graduation
Graduating with a Bachelor’s degree (AMK)? Seize the opportunity and continue developing your expertise straight after graduation! SEAMK’s first Alumni pathway will launch in autumn 2026. Enrolment opens on 1 May 2026.
The Alumni pathway offers SEAMK Bachelor’s degree students a smooth transition towards further studies. During the pathway, students complete SEAMK Master School studies free of charge through the Open University of Applied Sciences. While participating in the Alumni pathway, students can accumulate the two years of work experience required for eligibility for Master’s (YAMK) degree studies. In Open UAS Master’s studies, learning is closely integrated with real worklife needs, ensuring that the early stages of a professional career and YAMK studies support one another. Studies completed within the Alumni pathway can be accredited towards a YAMK degree.
At the beginning of the Alumni pathway, the student has a guidance discussion with a Study Counsellor, during which the studies to be completed during the pathway are planned, taking into account the student’s individual background and needs.
After completing the Alumni pathway and accumulating two years of relevant work experience, the student may apply for SEAMK’s Master’s degree studies through the Application with Open UAS Studies. The available study options and admission criteria for the application are published in Studyinfo. Further information about the application process is available from Admissions Services (admissions@seamk.fi).
Alumni of the year
Mikko Katajisto, Executive Director of the successful Kauhajoki-based basketball club Karhu Basket, has been chosen as Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences’ (SEAMK) Alumnus of the Year 2025. Katajisto is a well-known figure in Ostrobothnian basketball, having contributed to the sport as a player, coach, and administrator. He has been involved with Karhu Basket since the club’s founding and is also involved in the operations of the multipurpose venue, IKH Arena.
Katajisto graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2012 and, prior to joining Karhu Basket, worked as an entrepreneur and in both the agricultular supplies and hardware retail sectors. The Alumnus of the Year recognition highlights Katajisto’s positive attitude towards education, his openness to collaboration, and his international outlook. Under Katajisto’s leadership, Karhu Basket has engaged in diverse cooperation with students and has actively introduced the club and the operations of IKH Arena to students.
“Mikko Katajisto publicly and proudly highlights his background as a SEAMK alumnus and the fact that his studies have given him a solid education and strong professional skills. He sets an exemplary and international standard, is bold and outward-looking, and approaches development and new opportunities for cooperation with a positive attitude. He is an extremely cooperative operator. Katajisto’s contribution has also strengthened SEAMK’s and its Regional University’s visibility, and through his actions, he supports SEAMK’s strategic goal of actively involving alumni in the university’s development and regional cooperation,” says Mika Koivupuisto, expert responsible for SEAMK’s alumni activities.
Two alumni will receive the title of SEAMK Alumni of Year 2024: Kalle and Olli Fält. They have graduated from the Bachelor of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Enterprises degree programme in 2020.
Kalle and Olli Fält are entrepreneurs with their two cousins in a farm business at Ala-Fossin Maatalousyhtymä, and also at Vacca Oy, which provides SEAMK one of its learning environments. Through their companies, Kalle and Olli Fält have close cooperation with SEAMK’s teaching and RDI activities. The different dimensions of sustainable development are very significant in the operations of their companies.
– In our business operations, we strive for efficient production. The better the animals produce, the smaller the carbon footprint. But good output is only achieved with good animal welfare. Among the individual measures, I would also highlight our own biogas plant, says Kalle Fält.
– In addition, we have carried out a lot of carbon farming measures in the fields, continues Olli Fält.
Toni Kurkimäki has been chosen as the Alumnus of the Year 2023 of the Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences. Kurkimäki studied in the group of the first people who studied in the field of culture at SEAMK in 2002–2006. After graduating, he has worked in a variety of jobs in the cultural fields. Kurkimäki left his strong handprint to the cultural year of both South Ostrobothnia and the whole of Finland by directing the film Lapua 1976, which premiered at the beginning of September and has already gathered around 170,000 viewers.
Nurse (Bachelor of Health Care, Nursing) Le Anh has been chosen as the Alumnus of the Year 2022 of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences. He graduated from SeAMK’s English-language Nursing degree programme in the fall of 2020 and works in the Outpatient Clinic for Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases of the Surgical Hospital in Helsinki.
SeAMK’s Alumnus of the Year is a person who has completed a degree at SeAMK and does meaningful work in their own field. He/she does his/her part to promote the interaction between working life and SeAMK and presents the university in a positive way. This year’s selection highlighted internationality or international activity as a special criterion, which means, among other things, that the person has promoted the international activity of the region or community or the ability to act in a multicultural community.
From the proposals given by the staff of SeAMK, the final selection for the Alumni of the Year was made by SeAMK’s alumni working group together with SeAMK’s management.
“Le Anh highlights the activities of SeAMK and the Nursing degree programme on social media and in his own work. He has also been an active spokesperson for SeAM in the Vietnamese community in Finland. Le Anh also acts as a mentor for international degree students”, President & CEO Jaakko Hallila thanks the new Alumnus of the Year.
For the first time in its nearly 30-year history, SEAMK has selected an Alumnus of the Year. The recipient is Iiro Takala, who graduated from SEAMK’s Business Administration degree programme in 2011.
Iiro Takala, a K‑Rauta retailer, has been chosen as the first SEAMK Alumnus of the Year. He graduated from Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 2011. Takala has a strong entrepreneurial background and currently works as a K‑Rauta retailer in Seinäjoki and Lapua.
“As an entrepreneur, Iiro Takala actively promotes interaction between working life and SEAMK and carries out significant work at both local and regional level. He is eager to develop new ideas and keeps in regular contact with SEAMK. In Iiro Takala and his active approach, the criteria for Alumnus of the Year come together exceptionally well,” praises President and CEO Jaakko Hallila.
Read the stories of SEAMK alumni
Contact information
Student Entrepreneurship and Partnership Manager