At Lapland University of Applied Sciences, the Alumni of the Year 2026 are Sales Executive Imasha Mohotty (Bachelor’s degree alumna) and Team Lead and System Manager Sanna-Maria Kumpula (Master’s degree alumna).

Each year, Lapland University of Applied Sciences recognizes an Alumna or Alumnus of the Year who has demonstrated exceptional initiative in promoting the university of applied sciences or their own field, actively collaborated with the institution, or shown outstanding perseverance and achievement in their personal life. Alumni are graduates of Lapland UAS.

The Bachelor’s Degree Alumna of the Year 2026 is Sales Executive Imasha Mohotty, and the Master’s Degree Alumna of the Year 2026 is Team Lead and System Manager Sanna-Maria Kumpula.

Imasha Mohotty is an international graduate who completed the English-taught Bachelor of Hospitality Management, Tourism degree programme at Lapland University of Applied Sciences. Imasha works as a Sales Executive at Lapland Royal Adventures in Rovaniemi.

Sanna-Maria Kumpula completed the Master´s Programme in Knowledge-Based Management. She works as a Team Lead and System Manager at the Finnish Tax Administration.

Imasha has brought visibility to the expertise, experiences and study pathways of international students through, among other things, her participation in YLE’s television series Dream of Lapland (Unelma Lapista) during her studies. She has realistically highlighted what it is like to build a life in a new country, learn a new language, and find one’s place in Finnish society.

Alumna of the Year 2026, Imasha Mohotty, comments on her collaboration with the Lapland University of Applied Sciences:

“Alumni activities have given me a sense of belonging to the university, as well as to the culture and city of Rovaniemi. At the same time, I have had the opportunity to contribute to the development of the UAS’s activities. As alumni, we can serve as a bridge between employers and the UAS, creating benefits for all parties involved.”

Sanna-Maria has served as an exemplary and committed advocate for education and the institution since the early stages of her master’s studies. Her activities combine active collaboration, service to the community, appreciation of education, and a positive, forward-looking attitude. She is an example of how supporting an educational institution and promoting it in a positive way can continue meaningfully long after graduation.

Master’s Degree Alumna of the Year 2026, Sanna-Maria Kumpula, says:

“I gained so much from my master’s studies that the most important aspect of alumni activities for me has been the opportunity to give something back to the Lapland UAS. It has also been wonderful that my connection to both the UAS and the networks I built during my studies has remained strong.”

Lapland University of Applied Sciences congratulates both Alumna of the Year!

Watch the videos of Imasha and Sanna-Maria in Youtube:
Linkki Imasha Mohottyn videoon Youtubessa
Linkki Sanna-Maria Kumpulan videoon Youtubessa