What do you think about Gradufest as an event? – share your feedback
Gradufest facilitates the thesis process services to support students. Participate in developing the event by completing the survey!
What is Gradufest?
Gradufest is an event supporting students at the University of Helsinki, organized for the first time in March 2025 and again in February 2026. Coordinated by the Helsinki University Library and taking place at Kaisa House, the event brings together and presents various university services to support students throughout the thesis process.
Workshops, practical advice and activities
The presentations and workshops at Gradufest focus on supporting the various aspects of successful thesis completion, such as development of study skills, sharing tips and knowledge on study and research methodology and information management, as well as presenting ways of engaging in peer support. Topics in workshops ranged from improving work methods to the very popular sessions on guidelines and practical advice on the use of AI. Short presentations given throughout the day dealt with services and various practical tools for citation and data management available for students at the university.
Advice rooms were available for students to receive personalized service: Language Centre gave individual support on text structure and argumentation in either Finnish, Swedish or English, and Helsinki University Library gave further guidance on planning search strategies and how to make most of the sources available.
In addition to the workshops, presentations and personalized services. Various university departments and organizations showcased their services at information desks, such as IT Centre, National Library, Finna, Finto, Learning Centre Aleksandria's host service, and Helsinki Incubators & Entrepreneurship and Innovation Studies. Also, Unisport provided the event with a self-exercise station, with tips to maintain good physical health.
Easy access to support
Feedback received from the event indicates that support and information provided by Gradufest is appreciated by the attendants, particularly in reducing stress and uncertainty associated with studying and research on all levels. The availability of specialists for personalised service, easy access to advice and the opportunity to meet peers with similar experiences were but some of the positive aspects of the event.
The first Gradufest in 2025 had approximately 250 visitors, and in 2026 the attendance was ca. 150 candidates interested in improving their theses. Gradufest targets particularly students working on their bachelor’s and master’s theses, but the event welcomes all staff and students, regardless of the level of study. Doctoral researchers, thesis supervisors, and other university staff also participated, as strengthening research and study skills benefits the entire university community.
Participate in a survey
What do you think about Gradufest as an event? Do you have any ideas or suggestions for improvement? Help us make Gradufest even better by participating in a Webropol survey.
Your participation is appreciated even if you have not been to the event before. The survey takes only a few minutes to fill, and the answers are used to plan future events. The survey closes at the end of March 2026.
Photo: Jussi Männistö