The Rector Elect is Professor Kaija Holli

Professor Kaija Holli was elected Rector of the University of Tampere at a meeting of the electoral college on 3 February.

Professor Holli (born in 1950) is professor of palliative medicine at the University of Tampere and Head of the Medical School. She took a Ph.D. in medicine at the University of Tampere in 1988.

Professor Holli succeeds Rector Krista Varantola and begins her term of office on 1 August 2009.  According to the current legislation the Rector’s term of office is five years. The new Universities Act may change the length of the term of office and the tasks of the Rector.

In the first round of voting by the electoral college Professor Holli received 59 votes. Professor Pertti Haapala received 33 votes, Professor Juhani Lehto 21, Professor Harri Melin 12 and Professor Jyrki Nummenmaa 33. Since none of the candidates polled more than half the votes cast a second round was arranged between the two candidates with the most votes. For the second round the participation of Nummenmaa or Haapala, both with 33 votes, was resolved by drawing lots.

In the second round Professor Holli polled 106 votes and Professor Nummenmaa 52.

Rector Elect Holli has announced that her candidates for Vice Rectors are Professor Pertti Haapala and Professor Harri Melin. The two Vice Rectors will be appointed by the University Board.

Translation Virginia Mattila
Photo Touko Hujanen