Vesa Linja-aho is HAMK Alumni of the Year
Vesa Linja-aho, an electronic transport expert who has qualified as a teacher at HAMK, is a 2024 alumni of Häme University of Applied Sciences. Linja-aho is a highly regarded pedagogue whose special expertise in electric vehicles has made him a sought-after expert in Finland and internationally.
Häme University of Applied Sciences awards the prize annually to an active and distinguished alumnus in his or her field. The 2024 Alumni Award will be given to Vesa Linja-aho, who received his teaching qualification from HAMK in 2009. He is also currently consulting as an e-mobility expert in HAMK’s project to create e-mobility curricula for different school levels and teachers in Uruguay.
Linja-aho has worked as a researcher and university lecturer at the Helsinki University of Technology (now Aalto University), as a lecturer in automotive electronics at the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and as a group leader of the electrical standardisation organisation SESKO. He is currently working as a freelance electrical consultant.
Linja-aho has a degree in electrical engineering and electronics engineering. He is also a qualified teacher of mathematics and information technology. He is currently also a PhD student at Aalto University. His forthcoming doctoral thesis will focus on the safety of new technologies such as electric cars.
Nominations and arguments for alumni of the year are solicited from HAMK staff and the public. There were many reasons given for Linja-Aho’s merits. According to the justification, Linja-aho is Finland’s leading expert in his field and is internationally known in forums in the field. He has been a sought-after guest lecturer in both educational institutions and companies, and has been involved in the preparation of the current Electrical Safety Act and national, European and international standards in the electrical sector. He has expressed his thoughts on the solutions for online courses, which have been very good and clear. He is also a captivating personality, an active communicator and a sought-after expert in the media.
“It’s not every day you get this kind of recognition, so I’m very happy. I chose HAMK because the curriculum of the Professional Teacher Education made the most sense and the online courses were well implemented. The project in Uruguay has also been very interesting,” says Linja-aho.
He wants to stress to students the importance of diligent study and specialisation.
“If you don’t think you’re that smart, you can compensate by spending time on a specific thing. There is enough money in the world, it’s the hard-working and persistent people that are in short supply.”
The Alumni of the Year award was presented at HAMK’s graduation ceremony on 13.12.2024.