Established in 1918, Åbo Akademi University was among the first institutions of the independent State of Finland.
Approved on 13 January 1918, the statutes of Åbo Akademi University prescribe that the Consistory shall be responsible for the management of the University. The Consistory is composed of the permanent professors of the University. On 2 September 1918, four out of the six newly appointed professors assembled for the first Consistory meeting.
The opening of the first academic year took place on 15 January 1919 at the Old Academy Building, and with that, teaching got underway. In 1919, Åbo Akademi University had 47 students and a teaching staff of 13, of whom six were professors. The actual inauguration ceremony was on 11 October 1919.
Åbo Akademi University through the years
1917 The Åbo Akademi University Endowment is established.
2 September 1918 Four out of the six newly appointed professors assembled for the first Consistory meeting.
16 September 1918 The first Rector, Edvard Westermarck is oppointed.
1918 Åbo Akademi University founded with three faculties: Arts, Mathematics & Natural Sciences and Political Science, which was the first of its kind in the Nordic countries.
15 January 1919 The opening of the first academic year took place at the Old Academy Building, and with that, teaching got underway.
11 October 1919 The official inauguration ceremony of Åbo Akademi.
1920 The Faculty of Chemical Engineering is established.
1924 The Faculty of Theology is established.
1927 The Åbo Akademi School of Economics and Business Administration is established.
1927 The first Doctor’s and Master’s Conferral.
1927 The first femail Professor, Alma Söderhjelm, is appointed.
1960 Åbo Akademi gets it’s first computer.
1964 A new law guarantees State support for Åbo Akademi University.
1974 The Faculty of Education in Vaasa is established.
1980 The School of Economics and Business Administration and the Faculty of Political Science are merged to form the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences.
1981 Åbo Akademi University becomes a state university.
1992 The Faculty of Social and Caring Sciences in Vaasa is established.
1995 Kindergarten teacher training in Jakobstad is established.
2006 The Faculty of Chemical Engineering becomes the Faculty of Technology.
2010 Åbo Akademi University becomes an independent corporation under public law.
2018 Åbo Akademi University celebrates its 100th anniversary. “Knowledge – past, present and future” is the theme of the jubilee year.