The Alum of the Year award is given annually to a graduate of the University of Turku who has contributed advancement of Finnish society and the University of Turku or has demonstrated other exemplary activities for the benefit of the community. The Award is presented at the University of Turku's anniversary celebration at the end of February.
The Alum of the Year has acted in a positive and exemplary manner for the benefit of the University of Turku, Finnish society, the alum’s associated community or organization. The recognition aims to promote the social interaction of the University of Turku and strengthen the university's alumni activities. Alumni of the Year is selected by the Rector of the University of Turku.
Alum of the Year 2023
The University’s Alum of the Year is Mikko Pietilä, the director of the hospital services at the Wellbeing Services County of Southwest Finland (Varha). Pietilä graduated from the University's Faculty of Medicine as a licentiate in medicine in 1993, specialised in internal medicine in 1999, in cardiology in 2003, and completed his doctorate in 2002. Since 2015, he has held the title of docent in cardiology at the University of Turku. Pietilä has completed all of his degrees at the University of Turku.
“Mikko Pietilä has been a nationally prominent and positively visible figure in the fight against the coronavirus. With his attitude, Pietilä has enabled the continuation of clinical teaching in medicine throughout the pandemic,” says Rector Jukka Kola of the University of Turku.