LAB University of Applied Sciences was established out of a desire to reform higher education and the working life – to make work more meaningful. The aim was to create a better working life, and for that, a better university of applied sciences was needed.
The new LAB University of Applied Sciences started its operations on 1 January 2020, when Lahti and Saimaa University of Applied Sciences merged.
At LAB University of Applied Sciences, you can study health care and social services, technology, business, tourism and hospitality, as well as design, fine arts and visual communication. In addition, we offer open university studies for everyone in the Open UAS, as well as further education and specialization training for those who have already completed a higher education degree.
LAB has four units for education and R&D activities - well-being, technology, business and the Institute of Design - as well as a joint language center for LAB University of Applied Sciences and LUT University. LAB’s Institute of Design continues the long traditions of Lahti Institute of Design and Imatra Art School.
LAB has campuses in Lahti, Lappeenranta, and online, with 9,800 students and 550 teachers and R&D experts. LAB’s turnover is approximately 77 million euros, and it is the seventh-largest university of applied sciences in Finland in terms of student numbers.
The name LAB reflects the vision and operational culture of the university of applied sciences for innovation in working life, as well as describing active work where different people and experts create new things together with companies.
Turo Kilpeläinen is the rector of LAB University of Applied Sciences. Mari-Anna Suurmunne and Minna Suutari serve as vice-rectors.
Our operations are guided by the board of LAB University of Applied Sciences, whose chairman is Juha-Matti Saksa, the rector of LUT University.
LAB’s organization is described in the organizational chart below.
LUT Universities
LUT University and LAB University of Applied Sciences compose the university group
