Diak is a diverse community
Diak offers a multicultural and multi-faith learning and working environment. Students and employees are not required to be members of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Finland.
Our community members represent various faiths and worldviews.
One of the largest on our fields
Diak is Finland’s largest provider of UAS-level education in social work. In the health and social care sector, it is the only national UAS offering education and services for workplace organisations across Finland.
We offer degree programmes in nursing in three languages: Finnish, Swedish and English.
Diak is responsible for over 90% of the provision of UAS-level education that qualifies graduates for diaconal and youth work roles in the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Finland. Approximately one in four of Diak graduates complete a diaconal degree.
Diak is the only Finnish UAS that offers education in public service interpreting.
Through its RDI activities, Diak participates in the regional, national and international development of its educational fields.
Diak is a privately owned university of applied sciences. The main shareholders are church foundations and institutions.
Executive Group
The Executive Group’s duties:
- decision-making on key development matters;
- preparation of decision-making matters for the Board and the CEO-Rector;
- oversight of operational and financial planning and assessment.
Members:
- CEO-Rector Kati Komulainen
- Director of Education, Vice Rector Sanna Wesanko
- Director of Finance and Administration Anna-Kaisa Kiiski
- Director of Strategy and Impact Anna-Maija Ohlsson
- Director of Service Business Pauliina Bovellan
- Director of Human Resources Päivikki Rentola-Hemmi
- Head of Communications and Marketing Aura Vuorenrinne
Board of Directors
The Diak Board of Directors includes several representatives from the world of work. This ensures a strong workplace focus in our activities, which is an important requirement for universities of applied sciences. In addition, the Board includes representatives of students and staff members.
The Board is responsible for
- decisions on the key targets, strategy and operating principles of the institution’s operations and finances;
- decisions on operating plans, finance plans and budgets;
- decisions on student numbers.
Diaconia University of Applied Sciences Ltd Board of Directors
- Chair of the Board: Hannu Harri
- Vice-chair: Secretary, Education and Social Policy Terhi Peltokorpi, Centre Party Parliamentary Group
- CEO Heikki Arikka, Diakon Palvelut
- Specialist Heidi Grundström, Diaconia UAS
- Professional Board Member Olli Holmström, Helsinki Deaconess Institute Foundation
- CEO Mikko Lapola, Oulun Diakonissalaitoksen säätiö
- Church Councillor Petri Määttä, National Church Council
- MP Paula Risikko, The Finnish Parliament
- student Rasmus Teperi, Diaconia UAS
Owners
Diak is a privately owned university of applied sciences. The owners are the following:
Kirkkopalvelut Ry, 2 780 shares (37 %);
Helsinki Deaconess Institute Foundation, 2,025 shares (27 %);
Länsi-Suomen Diakonialaitoksen säätiö, 945 shares (13 %);
Kirkon keskusrahasto, 800 shares (11 %);
Oulun Diakonissalaitoksen säätiö, 500 shares (7 %);
Helsingin Evankelisen Opiston säätiö, 250 shares (3 %);
Suomen Raamattuopiston säätiö, 250 shares (3 %).
