Viikki Solvery led to teaching award
The 2024 Teaching Award went to University Lecturer Jarmo Jääskeläinen. He has developed and launched Viikki Solvery (Ratkomo), a work method for calculation exercises and a physical space where students can complete such exercises on their own or together and receive advice and support.
Jääskeläinen has successfully initiated Solvery activities at the Faculty. They help students progress and graduate on time, promote inclusivity and offer peer learning opportunities. The activities are not limited to specific courses, but benefit students of several degree programmes. Other factors contributing to the award decision included Jääskeläinen’s enthusiasm and ability to inspire students to study mathematics and economics.
“The only way to learn mathematics is by doing it. Solvery brings a fun, collaborative element to the learning experience. It also promotes peer learning and supports student integration into the Faculty. The Viikki Solvery activities wouldn’t be possible without excellent supervisory support from both the discipline of economics staff and University students,” says Jääskeläinen.
Two awards to Associate Professor Anne-Maria Pajari
The 2024 Research Award was granted to Associate Professor Anne-Maria Pajari. She has headed a study exploring the digestibility and bioavailability of faba bean protein in the human body. Conducted in the Leg4Life project, the study has provided important information on the nutritional quality of such protein.
Pajari has also led within the project other significant studies published in 2024 on legumes and nutrition. She was additionally lauded for her remarkable efforts in assembling for the project a group of Faculty researchers covering the entire food system. This has significantly increased both collaboration in legumes research and the visibility of Faculty research and expertise.
In addition to the research award, Pajari was recognised alongside Postdoctoral Researcher Marjukka Lamminen with the 2024 Influence Award for their public engagement efforts in the Leg4Life project. Leg4Life has contributed to public policy reform and debate focusing on sustainable food production and consumption. The project participants have produced not only scholarly publications but also material for target groups ranging from children to politicians. Leg4Life – and both Pajari and Lamminen themselves – has also been front and centre at many events.
“I’m pleased and grateful for the appreciation shown by our Faculty for the long-term and multidisciplinary research we’ve been doing in Leg4Life to promote a sustainable food system for over five years now,” notes Pajari. “Our project has combined expertise from several disciplines and achieved both outstanding scholarly results and active and extensive public engagement. It’s great to be recognised for both.”