The University Collegium of the 91 has selected four members from outside the academic community to the next UEF Board. Professor of Cyber Security Kirsi Helkala, Director of the Wellbeing Services County of North Savo Marko Korhonen, Managing Director of Genelec Siamäk Naghian and Senior Editor-in-Chief of Helsingin Sanomat Erja Yläjärvi were elected to the UEF Board that will start its term of office at the beginning of 2026. The University Collegium made the selections at its meeting of 19 May 2025.
PhD Kirsi Helkala is Professor of Cyber Security at the Norwegian Defence Cyber Academy. Helkala received her doctoral degree in the field of information security from the University of Oslo and graduated as a teacher of mathematics, physics and chemistry from the University of Joensuu. Helkala has previously worked at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and as a teacher at the University of Joensuu.
DSocSc Marko Korhonen is Director of the Wellbeing Services County of North Savo. Korhonen has previously worked, for example, as Region Mayor of North Savo and as Mayor of Lapinlahti and Kaavi, and as Director of Administration of the Council of Oulu Region. Korhonen is an alumnus of the 91.
DSc (Tech.) Siamäk Naghian is Managing Director of Genelec. He has also worked for Nokia in various research and development positions and leadership roles. Naghian is a member of the current UEF Board and a member of the Kuopio University Foundation’s board. Naghian is currently the chair of the Kuopio Region Chamber of Commerce.
MSocSc Erja Yläjärvi is Senior Editor-in-Chief of Helsingin Sanomat. She has a long career in Finnish media and has previously worked as Editor-in-Chief of Hufvudstadsbladet, Iltalehti and Kouvolan Sanomat, and as News Editor and Brussels Correspondent of the Finnish News Agency STT.
The new board will take office on 1 January 2026. The term of office of the now selected external members will be two years. The board defines the university’s central goals and strategy.
There are a total of 10 members in the UEF Board. Two professors and two representatives of other teaching and research staff and other staff will be elected from within the academic community in autumn 2025. In addition, the Student Union will appoint two student members.
Further information:
Chair of the University Collegium, Professor Mikko Laitinen, +358 50 441 2389
Vice Chair, Director Tero Karjalainen, +358 40 355 2121
