Retailer Iiro Takala is SEAMK's first 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.
The SEAMK Alumnus of the Year is a graduate of SEAMK who carries out meaningful work in their own field. They actively promote interaction between working life and SEAMK and represent the university in a positive way. In this year’s selection, particular emphasis was placed on an entrepreneurial mindset, which refers, among other things, to seeking new opportunities, a willingness to experiment and perseverance. The region’s characteristic hands‑on attitude and service‑minded approach are also considered part of this entrepreneurial spirit.
SEAMK staff were invited in early November to nominate suitable candidates for Alumnus of the Year. A large number of high‑quality nominations were received from several different fields of education. The final decision was made by SEAMK’s alumni working group in cooperation with the university’s management.
“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.
Applying studies in practice
Choosing a career in retail felt natural to Takala. His great‑grandfather founded the family’s first shop as early as 1928, making Iiro a fourth‑generation entrepreneur.
“From the very beginning, I had the feeling that retail was my thing. After lower secondary school, I went to Alajärvi Business College and from there on to SEAMK. At the same time as my studies at SEAMK, I completed management training within the K Group’s retail chain. At the moment, the K Group offers staff development in various areas, right up to retailer level,” Takala explains.
When reflecting on his business studies, Takala highlights the overall scope of the education and the networking opportunities it provided. Dealing with familiar people is easy, and he often meets other SEAMK graduates when working with the city, the region or entrepreneurial organisations.
“My studies left me with a really positive feeling because of their broad scope, strong sense of community and hands‑on approach,” says Iiro Takala.
Takala was able to link different aspects of his business studies directly to the practical business world and to apply subjects such as law and mathematics to everyday work. Precisely this connection between studies and real life made the studies particularly rewarding.
Cooperation in many areas
As a K‑Rauta retailer, Takala has engaged in various forms of cooperation with SEAMK. Students have proven to be excellent summer employees and staff members with both competence and a willingness to commit. Multidisciplinarity is a significant strength, and several theses from different fields of education have been completed for K‑Rauta. In addition, Iiro Takala has participated annually in the Retail Today course.
Further information:
Iiro Takala, K‑Rauta retailer, tel. +358 50 383 9965
Jaakko Hallila, SEAMK’s President and CEO, tel. +358 40 868 0621