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Hanken celebrated donors and scholarship recipients

Group picture of the awarded students
“I would like to extend my warmest thanks to the donors for your continuous support. We at Hanken would not be able to maintain our level of ambition without your support,” stated Rector Ingmar Björkman at Hanken’s Donor Evening and Scholarship Ceremony on 27 May.

During the event, Hanken recognised the best performing bachelor and master students, as well as the best performing outgoing exchange students from Hanken. The updated criteria for the awards, along with the names of the students who have been recognised and have consented to publication, can be found here: Scholarships and honorary awards.

Hanken student Nette Kiviranta received Hanken’s newly established award for outstanding achievement in the field of art, culture, sports or societal interaction. Kiviranta, who competes professionally in alpine skiing, has spoken openly about the setbacks she faced after being seriously injured in a car accident at the age of sixteen. By sharing her rehabilitation journey and how she found renewed strength, she has become an inspiration to many. In the winter of 2026, Kiviranta won a silver medal at the Paralympic Games in Milano–Cortina, Italy.

Christina Dahlblom interviewing Nette Kiviranta.
Hanken's Associate Dean Christina Dahlblom interviewing Nette Kiviranta, the recipient of Hanken’s newly established award.


This year’s Fazer Award was presented to Hanken student Alice Saraiva. You can read more about it here: Alice Saraiva receives the Fazer Award.

The Waldemar von Frenckell foundation’s scholarship was awarded to Elena Piñero Martínez. Every year the foundation supports Hanken’s Executive MBA Programme at Hanken & SSE Executive Education with one MBA scholarship. The purpose of the scholarship is to connect an educated immigrant to the programme and to improve the possibilities to successfully integrate into Finnish business life. 

During the event, a discussion on integration – one of Hanken’s strategic focus areas – was also organised. The panel participants were Hanken’s Professors of Practice Shadia Rask and Juhana Vartiainen, along with Fazer Award recipient Alice Saraiva. Hanken’s Associate Dean and Professor of Practice Christina Dahlblom moderated the event.

Text: Jessica Gustafsson
Photo: Gustaf Hafström

Hanken's fundraising is ongoing and all donations are directed to the School’s core operations. Every donation contributes to Hanken’s unique position as an independent, Swedish-speaking, and international business school. You can read more about Hanken's fundraising here: hanken.fi/donate.