Mitta Oy and Frendie PRO support the wellbeing of future professionals during their studies
Mitta Oy and Frendie PRO are partnering during the 2026–2027 academic year to support the wellbeing and sense of community among students at Lapland University of Applied Sciences and the University of Lapland. The shared idea is simple: if we want future professionals to enter working life healthy, resilient, and capable of performing at their best, wellbeing and community must be strengthened already during the study years.
Loneliness among higher education students is a significant challenge. According to a survey conducted by HelsinkiMissio, half of all higher education students reported experiencing harmful loneliness. Of those experiencing loneliness, 77 percent said it affected their ability to cope, and 64 percent said it impacted their mental health. As many as 43 percent felt unable to influence their own loneliness.
Loneliness is therefore not merely a wellbeing issue associated with student life. It can affect resilience, concentration, absenteeism, and study motivation, and consequently influence the resources and readiness with which young professionals eventually enter working life.
Work ability is built before the first day of work
The collaboration between Lapland University of Applied Sciences, the University of Lapland, and the social enterprise Frendie will continue during the 2026–2027 academic year. The goal is to strengthen students’ sense of belonging and community, foster new relationships, and prevent loneliness. This academic year, Mitta Oy has also joined the partnership.
For Mitta, cooperation with educational institutions is a way to support future professionals on their journey toward working life. The universities and universities of applied sciences in Lapland educate future experts whose wellbeing and ability to work are also important from the perspective of future employers.
— Working life will need not only skilled professionals but also people who are doing well. At Mitta, we collaborate with educational institutions in various ways, and we believe it is important to support students’ wellbeing and sense of community alongside their professional development. Positive relationships, networks and a sense of belonging are valuable sources of support both during their studies and later in their working lives. We want to help build this foundation while they are still studying, says Tuija Saijonkivi, HR-manager at Mitta.
Preventing loneliness requires concrete solutions
Frendie PRO provides students with a low-threshold digital environment that helps them find new people, communities, events, and activities. Its purpose is also to give students practical tools to strengthen their own social wellbeing.
— Being part of the student community is an important element of student wellbeing. However, not everyone becomes integrated into the community in the same way, nor does everyone have equal opportunities or resources to participate in activities organized on campus. As a student association, we want to build a higher education community where everyone can find people around them and feel that they belong. It is important that a sense of community can also be built digitally and in ways that fit naturally into students’ everyday lives,” says Aili Sova, Chair of the student association ROTKO.
An essential part of the collaboration is measuring its impact. This makes it possible to monitor whether new relationships are formed, whether students’ sense of belonging is strengthened, and whether experiences of loneliness can be reduced.
For further information:
Camilla Rusk
Communications Manager, Mitta Group, puh.+358 50 302 6669, camilla.rusk@mitta.fi
Aili Sova
Chair of the Board, Student Association Rotko, puh. +358 40 152 8500, puheenjohtaja@lapinrotko.fi
Arla Joensuu
Chair of the Board, Frendie, puh. +358 45 656 7065. arla@frendie.fi