Lapland UAS opening event 2026
Welcome to celebrate the start of the new academic year at Lapland UAS! The opening celebrations will take place over three days as follows:
Tuesday, 8 September 2026
The week kicks off in Kemi with a stand event from 10AM to 1PM. Various organisations and associations have been invited to introduce their activities. Come along, say hello, enjoy a cup of coffee, and meet both new and familiar faces!
Wednesday, 9 September 2026
The stand events continue! On the Tornio and Rovaniemi campuses, the stands will be open from 10AM to 1PM. In Tornio, the event will take place in the lobby, while in Rovaniemi you will find the stands in the main lobby of the Jokiväylä campus.
Various organisations and associations have been invited to introduce their activities. Come along, say hello, enjoy a cup of coffee, and meet both new and familiar faces!
Friday, 11 September 2026, 10:00–16:00
The main day of the Opening Celebrations will take place at the Jokiväylä campus in Rovaniemi. The day brings together Lapland UAS students and the entire UAS community to celebrate the start of the new academic year.
The programme includes the official opening ceremony, music, speeches, an overall show and a checkpoint race around the campus. The event offers new students in particular a great opportunity to get to know the Lapland UAS community, student culture and fellow students.
Free bus transportation to Rovaniemi and back will be provided for participants travelling from the Kemi-Tornio area. More info below!
Friday’s programme
- 9:40–10:00 Gathering
- The day begins with a gathering in front of the main entrance of the Jokiväylä campus. New students will gather with their own study programme groups. Tutors will be there to welcome students and help them find the right group.
- 10:00 Handshake ceremony
- 10:30 Opening ceremony
- The programme includes speeches, music, student culture and other opening festivities. Coffee will be served during the event.
The programme includes, among other things:- a speech by the new rector of Lapland UAS
- a speech by a representative of the City of Rovaniemi
- a speech by Student Union ROTKO
- an overall show presenting student overalls
- instructions for the checkpoint competition.
- The programme includes speeches, music, student culture and other opening festivities. Coffee will be served during the event.
- 12:00 Lunch and preparation for the checkpoint competition
- Lunch is available at your own expense at the Tekuila student restaurant on campus.
- Remember to bring your student card or meal subsidy card if you want to eat at the student price.
- 12:30–15:30 Checkpoint competition
- 16:00 Opening day ends
Checkpoint competition
In the afternoon, a checkpoint competition will take place around the Jokiväylä campus. Students will compete in teams, visiting different checkpoints and completing various tasks. Staff members are also welcome to take part in the competition!
Here’s how to participate:
- Form a team of 1–6 people.
- Come up with a name for your team.
Register your team name before starting the checkpoint round. - Pick up a checkpoint list and map.
- Visit the checkpoints and collect points by completing the tasks.
The checkpoints are located around the campus. At each checkpoint, your team will complete a task together. Checkpoint organisers will evaluate each team’s performance and record the points awarded. - Return your checkpoint map.
After completing the round, return your team’s checkpoint map to the collection box next to the info point. Before returning it, make sure the map includes your team name and the details of all team members e.g. emails.
Checkpoint race winners
Each team’s 10 best checkpoint scores will count towards the final result.
The team with the highest score will receive a prize. The winners and details of the prize-giving will be announced after the event on Student Union ROTKO’s social media channels, and the winners will also be contacted directly.
Free bus transportation from Kemi-Tornio
Free bus transportation to Rovaniemi and back will be provided for new students and tutors from the Kemi-Tornio area. Advance registration is required, and the transportation is only available to those participating in the Opening Celebrations.
Registration for the bus transportation is via Google Forms. You can find the registration link in your email!
Bus to Rovaniemi
7:30 Kemi Bus Station
7:40 Kemi, Lapland UAS Kosmos – Kiveliönkatu bus stop P
8:10 Tornio, Lapland UAS Minerva – main entrance, Kauppakatu 58
9:40 Rovaniemi, Lapland UAS Jokiväylä
Return bus
16:00 Rovaniemi, Lapland UAS Jokiväylä
17:30 Tornio, Lapland UAS Minerva
18:00 Kemi, Lapland UAS Kosmos
18:10 Kemi Bus Station
Code of Conduct
The event follows the Code of Conduct, and ROTKO’s trained harassment contact persons will be present at the event.
You can contact a harassment contact person if you experience harassment or other inappropriate behaviour. You can also reach out if you witness harassment and would like to discuss the situation. All conversations with harassment contact persons are confidential.
You can also contact a harassment contact person after the event.
You can find the harassment contact persons and their contact details here:
https://lapinrotko.fi/en/in-case-of-harassment/harassment-contacts/