Founded in 1989, the programme was deeply rooted in the South-Savo region but over the years became increasingly integrated into operations in Otaniemi, which culminated in the programme move in 2026. This site is intended to give a glimpse into the programme’s history in Mikkeli and celebrate its impact on students, faculty and staff as well as the School of Business and Aalto as a whole. We hope that it will help keep the Mikkeli Spirit alive in the programme’s new home.
This timeline traces the evolution of the IB programme from its pragmatic founding in Mikkeli in 1989 to its integration into Aalto University and the move to Otaniemi.
The Bachelor’s Programme in International Business was established in Mikkeli by the Helsinki School of Economics (HSE) in response to an opportunity to add study places outside the capital region. Vice Rector and Professor of International Corporate Finance Veikko Jääskeläinen was the first director (dean) of the programme that, as he expressed it, was born out of pragmatism. Yet the response was also a unique and creative approach to undergraduate education – following the “flying faculty” model used in MBA programmes.
The essential elements of the programme were there from the start: three-week modules delivered in English with students taking one course at a time, year-round studies, and a mandatory exchange period abroad.
Mikkeli was chosen as the location of the programme because of faculty connections, the support of the city, and the HSE Small Business Centre being located there.
The programme was designed to attract students from Finnish high schools but also those with an international background, in addition to foreign degree and exchange students. Using English throughout the curriculum was a radical idea at that time, particularly at the undergraduate level.
At the beginning, students were awarded Bachelor’s in Business (BBA) degrees and tuition was charged.
The 1990s saw the programme grow and extend its international networks. Director (dean) Heikki Urmas secured a broader basis for funding as well as local, national and international partnerships. Heikki himself set an example of internationality – as a former Finnair pilot who had also carried out part of his academic career in the US, he turned his own contacts into an asset for the programme.
In 1993 the programme moved to a new building on Lönnrotinkatu, where it remained until the move to Otaniemi.
In 2001, under the leadership of David Swanson, the programme gained formal accreditation by the Ministry of Education as a programme granting the Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Administration (BScBA).
Much work was done by Dr. Swanson and the staff on the curriculum, admission policies and a wide range of other issues that had to work for the Mikkeli programme, while remaining consistent with the requirements of both the Helsinki School of Economics and the Ministry of Education. By the time he returned to the U.S. in 2003, the BScBA degree programme was on solid ground in terms of the number of applicants and the quality of the students.
Director (dean) David Atkinson further strengthened quality processes in the programme as well as ties to the South Savo region. He clarified the contribution of the programme to business education for a much wider audience. As he explained: “It was important to look at the status of the programme as seen from people outside of Mikkeli. It was clear that the programme was strong, productive and appealing. But we also felt that it was important to make it known to a larger Finnish audience and international audience.” By launching a significant marketing initiative, the programme gained much greater international recognition and respect within Finland.
Local cooperation got an additional boost in 2004 when the programme co-founded the Mikkeli University Consortium (MUC), with the University of Helsinki, LUT University and the City of Mikkeli. MUC is a networked academic community linking local units of national universities, for example in joint projects and common staff events as well as service to society. Aalto has continued a relationship with MUC even after the IB programme transfer to Otaniemi.
Director Joan Lofgren began leading the programme in late 2009, just as the Helsinki School of Economics was about to become a School within the newly founded Aalto University, which began in 2010. Over the years, Lofgren expanded the visiting faculty to include more Europe-based instructors and reviewed the competences students would need for working life, such as data literacy and ensuring a sustainable future.
The programme also underwent several rounds of integration into the School (now School of Business) and Aalto as a whole. This process culminated in the decision by Aalto and School of Business leadership to move the programme to the main campus in Otaniemi, starting Fall 2026. As the programme faced this major change in its history, it was clear that there was a strong will among all stakeholders to keep the “Mikkeli Spirit” alive.
As Lofgren explains: “The Mikkeli Spirit cannot be captured solely by key performance indicators or accreditation standards. It is seen, for example, in the tight-knit community that takes good care of degree and exchange students. We also see it in the loyalty our students have for each other and the programme after they leave Mikkeli.”
Looking back on the programme’s history, she adds: “On a personal note, serving as Programme Director has been a dream job for me, and although we do things differently now than in the days of the early Deans (directors), their vision for Mikkeli still shines brightly today.”
The unusual design of the IB Programme in Mikkeli can be seen in several of its distinctive characteristics.
The Mikkeli Programme was known for its innovative style of teaching and learning. Students took one course at a time in three-week modules, spending three hours a day in the classroom. Sessions were interactive and the small class sizes helped promote a tight-knit community. As a result, students got to know their professors and benefited from mentoring outside the classroom.
The focus on one course at any given time helped promote learning.
Suvi Allan, Alum“I think that the intense focus on one subject at a time is beneficial to the students. I found that concentrating on one subject for three weeks enabled me to develop much stronger knowledge on the subject matter, which certainly helped later on when I completed my MSc at the University of Edinburgh.”
Since the programme relied almost entirely on visiting faculty (except for the directors/deans), the faculty were focused during their time in Mikkeli on supporting student learning and were very available outside of class. Students felt comfortable talking with faculty also as mentors, since the faculty were not just interested in teaching but also in getting to know their students, for example, their concerns and questions about future careers.
Evaluating student learning could be very creative – short presentations, role plays, mini-projects, etc. helped students to learn in an agile way.
Being in the classroom every day also meant that students got to know each other in an encouraging learning space. The term “cohort” is often used in this context but the bonds students formed go well beyond their identity in terms of the year in which they started their studies. Students forged lifelong friendships and even some partnerships for life, meeting their spouses in the programme.
The bonds that developed among Mikkeli students also supported their engagement as co-creators of learning; for example, in the role of class representatives or on the Student Quality Committee. The many organisations and clubs also gave students the chance to organise events and network with stakeholders. Visiting faculty Finbarr Bradley described the student leadership in Pentti (the student get-together space on campus) in this way:
Finbarr Bradley, Visiting FacultyTo the great credit of those in charge of the Mikkeli programme, students were permitted to ‘own’ Pentti, a wonderful milieu to meet, drink and relax which must have added greatly to their enjoyment then and their memories later.
The Mikkeli programme relied primarily on visiting faculty from around the world. For example, faculty from over 10 countries might have taught in Mikkeli in any given academic year. In addition, many of the visiting faculty did not live in the country of their birth, which added an even stronger multicultural dimension to the programme as they represented more than one home culture.
The faculty rose to the challenge of teaching an intensive course, usually in three weeks. That meant being in the classroom three hours a day, which also meant being creative and promoting interaction. The “power distance” between faculty and students was low as they worked together to achieve the learning outcomes set for the course. Students considered themselves co-creators of learning and their elected class representatives would work with faculty to make improvements as the courses progressed.
Faculty got to know the city of Mikkeli in various ways and explored other parts of Finland. Several of them forged lifelong friendships with local residents here and often talked of returning for holiday also after the programme moved to Espoo. Sometimes faculty would bring family members along, for example the children of one of our language instructors would look forward to visiting Mikkeli each summer. One visiting faculty member and his longtime partner even got married in Mikkeli (and honeymooned in Helsinki).
The contribution of the visiting faculty cannot be underestimated. They gave their all to ensure the best possible opportunities for learning and shaped the Mikkeli Spirit in their own unique ways.
In addition to the long-term staff members, each year student trainees contributed significantly to programme operations and development, for example in marketing, admissions, and corporate relations.
The Mikkeli staff have taken great pleasure in following the paths our alumni have taken and welcomed back visiting faculty year after year. The dedicated staff and student trainees have played a big part in keeping the Mikkeli Spirit alive!
The Mikkeli Programme was international in many respects. Students from on average 15-20 countries studied there at any given time. Faculty from over ten countries taught in Mikkeli during any given year; many of the foreign faculty were not living in their country of birth, which added to the multicultural learning environment. For example, two of our veteran faculty members are working in the UK but grew up in India.
English as the medium of instruction is a key component of the programme. When the programme was founded, using English at the core of undergraduate education was rare. Students graduating from the Mikkeli programme gained an invaluable skill in being able to make presentations in English, often with very little time to prepare. While using English in Bachelor’s programmes is more common nowadays, being able to work fluently in English is still a great asset.
Students also worked daily in intercultural teams. Encountering how students from cultures different from your own approached a task was an important learning experience that helped prepare graduates for an international career.
In addition, faculty would share from their own cultures. For example, an economics professor from Nebraska, originally from India, would always wear a sari while teaching. At the end of the module she would give the saris she brought to the women staff.
Internationality was also firmly rooted in the programme through the mandatory study abroad. Having the opportunity to study at one of 50 partner universities around the world was attractive to potential students. Annamari Vahvaselkä, long-time exchange coordinator, described the importance of the exchange in this way:
Annamari Vahvaselkä, Exchange CoordinatorOver the years we have sent out hundreds of students to experience the time of their lives and study in a completely different environment. This not only means a different country and culture, but also the size of the host university, teaching methods and studying style.
About 70 exchange students were also welcomed to the Mikkeli campus each year, further boosting the international atmosphere of the programme.
Studying in Mikkeli meant studying at a fast pace and being ready to make presentations in English on short notice, thus creating an atmosphere of agile learning. Experiencing that atmosphere as undergraduates prepared our alumni for future challenges.
Elina Lamponen, AlumThe Mikkeli alumni are viewed, both within the academic community as well as in businesses, as well equipped to work in multi-cultural environments and within the often hectic, deadline-oriented culture faced on both aforementioned stages. Teamwork, presentation skills, international mindsets and extensive networks – all extremely important in the Mikkeli studies – are well sought after in working life and help Mikkeli alumni differentiate themselves from the vast candidate pools in a highly positive manner.
Mikkeli students most often finished their degrees on time, sending a signal to prospective employers that the programme’s graduates get things done. While the fast pace of studies was challenging, peer and faculty support helped students get through and finish on time. As a result, most students finished their degrees in about 2.5 years.
What is the legacy of the Bachelor’s Programme in International Business at the Mikkeli Campus? Its legacy comprises an innovative learning environment in which students had a strong sense of community and engagement in programme development. The programme was international throughout, from challenging students to work in intercultural teams in Mikkeli to requiring that they spend a half year or more abroad on exchange. The fast pace of the programme also prepared its graduates well for the global workplace.
Joan Lofgren, Programme DirectorThis unique programme made its mark on business studies in Finland, creating vivid memories for all of us involved in the Mikkeli academic community that we will carry with us well into the future. What a great experience it has been for me professionally and personally. I am confident that the Mikkeli Spirit will live on for the next 37 years!
Student life in Mikkeli was unlike any other. Small enough for everyone to know each other, yet international enough to bring together students from multiple countries. The little campus had built a solid reputation for its exceptionally close-knit community. Here, academic intensity was matched by an equally lively student culture, where the spirit, culture and friendships became defining parts of the Mikkeli experience.
For decades, students spoke about the Mikkeli Spirit. More than just a phrase, it embodied the close-knit community that formed when students from around Finland and the rest of the world came together in the city of Mikkeli. Away from familiar surroundings, they found the time and space to get to know new people in a way that was often harder to achieve on larger campuses.
The Mikkeli Spirit was not something that could be taught or planned. It grew naturally through shared experiences, everyday moments and a culture in which students looked after one another. It was something that every Baba (affectionate name used for students enrolled in the Bachelor’s Programme in International Business) may have experienced differently, yet immediately recognised being there.
That sense of belonging extended far beyond graduation. Alumni often spoke of the instant connection they felt when meeting another Baba, regardless of when they had studied or where life had taken them. While the programme and campus have evolved over the years, the Mikkeli Spirit has remained one of its most enduring legacies.
Uy Vũ Le, former and the first international President of the 2024 Probba BoardMikkeli is all about the community. Because you're part of such a small group in a relatively secluded place, you naturally spend time together. That's what creates such deep and lasting connections.
Mari Syväoja, Planning Officer for 25 years in the Aalto Mikkeli programmeThe people and the community make that Mikkeli spirit and the bond between people. And even the visiting faculty, they feel it as well. When you meet an alumnus from Mikkeli, you already know a lot about that person.
The Mikkeli Spirit continues to exist because each generation of students chooses to build it. Babas became immersed in a close-knit community where friendships formed quickly and everyone was encouraged to get involved. From their first week on campus, they were encouraged to take initiative, organise events and contribute to the traditions that defined the community. It was a culture where Babas did not wait for things to happen and instead, they made them a reality on their own.
Markus Mäkelä, Academic Affairs Coordinator of the 2026 Probba BoardYou see all the Instagram stories and stuff talking about the Mikkeli spirit, but you don't really know how strong of a community here is before you actually come here. I think a big part in that is the previous second-years because they kind of showed the community and what is around here and the first-years kind of inherited that.
At the centre of it all was the Probba Board, the official student organisation of the Bachelor’s Programme in International Business. The board represented and supported all Babas as well as exchange students, coordinated student life throughout the year and helped bring the many student clubs and activities to life. These countless clubs had shaped the Mikkeli experience, with new ones emerging while old traditions continued to live on. From SkiBBA, NESU-Probba and BASE to Baba Beer Club, Baba’s Kitchen, FC Probba, Cinebba, the Case Competition Club, Baba Dance Club and many others, these organisations gave generations of Babas a space to connect, share their passions and make the most of their time in Mikkeli.
Throughout the year, student-led events and traditions filled the calendar from legendary sitsit — academic parties where students eat, drink and sing songs together — to annual celebrations and everyday moments that brought the community together. Because students were the ones creating these experiences, every generation left its mark while passing the culture on to the next.
The Bachelor's Programme in International Business has now entered a new chapter in its history being located in Otaniemi but the values that have defined student life for decades don’t have to be left behind. After all, community has never been tied solely to a campus or a city.
Otava Tuomi, former President of the 2023 Probba Board“What made Mikkeli special was not any single event, tradition, or building. It was the combination of a small, international community, close relationships between students and staff, strong traditions, and an environment that encouraged people to grow together.”
The Mikkeli Spirit has always been created by and belonged to the students themselves. Whether it takes on a new form in Otaniemi will be shaped by the generations of Babas who carry it forward there.
In other words, every new generation inherits not only the traditions of those who came before, but also the responsibility to cultivate the culture for those who follow. As alumni reflect on their own experiences, many hope that future students will build the same sense of belonging that made Mikkeli feel like home.
Zuleika Mohamed, Editor-in-Chief of the 2026 Probba BoardI’d say that for the incoming folks, I hope that being close to home doesn't take away the need to find another home. We found a home here in Mikkeli out of necessity, but I hope they'll be able to find that same home in Otaniemi. I hope they're equally as brave, excited and adventurous as some of us were or that they grow into it over time, because it's quite the fun ride.
There are many meaningful ways to support our students and shape the future of our programme. Whether you have an hour or a longer-term commitment in mind, we’d love to collaborate.
Ways to contribute:
Interested? Contact Perttu Kähäri (perttu.kahari@aalto.fi) or Yuan Virtanen (yuan.virtanen@aalto.fi) to discuss options that fit your interests and schedule.
You can also join the Pool of Experts! To offer the students in IB Programme opportunities to learn about real-world challenges, we invite alumni and other corporate representatives to participate in teaching.
Combine a rigorous academic education in core international business disciplines with hands-on studies and teamwork at one of Europe’s top business schools.
The School of Business alumni community offers possibilities for lifewide learning, networking and contributing to our School's mission: Better Business - Better Society. Let's stay connected!
To offer our students opportunities to learn about real-world challenges, we invite corporate representatives to participate in teaching in different ways.
The Pool of Experts is a new tool to facilitate in making contacts for the collaboration.
