Notable alumni
Martti Ahtisaari, M.Sc., President of Finland (1994–2000), Nobel Peace Prize laureate (2008)
Helena Aksela, Ph.D., first female professor of physics in Finland.
Leena Ala-Kokko, Ph.D., professor, biochemist, molecular biologist; co-founder and president of Connective Tissue Gene Tests.
Jarkko Oikarinen, D.Sc., the developer of Internet Relay Chat (IRC).
Leena Palotie, D.Sc., professor, geneticist
Jussi Pesonen, M.Sc. (Tech.), CEO of UPM-Kymmene Oyj.
Sakari Orava, D.Sc., professor, surgeon specializing in sports related injuries. Famous for operating surgeries on many top athletes such as David Beckham.
Vuokko Hirvonen, Ph.D., professor and author, noted scholar of Sámi literature and education policies
Lasse Lehtinen, Ph.D., former Member of the Finnish Parliament and former Member of the European Parliament.
Pekka Aikio, M.Sc., president of the Sami Parliament of Finland for three terms from 1996 to 2008.
Tytti Isohookana-Asunmaa, Ph.D. Finnish Minister of Culture (1991–1995), member of the Finnish parliament, from the Centre Party (1983).
Marjo-Riitta Järvelin, M.D., Ph.D., epidemiologist and professor
Tuija Lehtinen, B.Sc., (Stat.), writer, freelance author. Known for Mirkka, Laura and Janne novel series, chief scriptwriter of The Dibidogs animation series.
Sami Lopakka, M.A. musician and writer, one of two guitarists for the band Sentenced (1989-2005).
Hannu Rajaniemi B.Sc. (Math), author of science fiction and fantasy. Known novel, The Quantum Thief.
Ago Silde M.A., Estonian politician, governor of Ida-Viru County 2004–2007.
Jari Vilén M.A., politician and a diplomat, served in the Finnish Parliament, representing the National Coalition Party and the district of Lapland (1999–2007).
Sauli Vuoti Ph.D. (Chem), musician, chemist, and freelance writer, vocalist and guitarist of the band Kinetik Control, founder of Inferno magazine.
Juha Sipilä M.Sc. (Tech.), Prime Minister of Finland (2015–2019)
Pirkko Mattila M.Sc., Member of the Finnish Parliament and Minister of Social Affairs and Health
Tytti Tuppurainen M.A., Finnish Minister for European Affairs (2019–2023), member of the Finnish parliament from the Social Democratic Party
Jaana Bäck Ph.D., Finnish plant ecologist and professor of forest-atmosphere interactions at the University of Helsinki
University of Oulu alumni body is over 55,000.
