The Ralf Törngren Prize 2026 Is Awarded To Ines Latvala

Ines Latvala. Image: Linda-Maria Frantz.

The Åbo Akademi University Foundation is awarding the Ralf Törngren Prize 2026 to student Ines Latvala. The prize is awarded annually to a student at Åbo Akademi University who has made a significant contribution to the development of the university or its Student Union, alongside their academic studies. The prize sum is 7 000 euros.

Ines Latvala (b. 2001, Karis) studies social sciences with a focus on political science and public leadership at the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences at Åbo Akademi University.

– Previous recipients have been incredibly talented and driven individuals, and I am honoured to receive the prize myself, says Latvala.

Alongside her studies, Latvala has been actively engaged at multiple levels, working to promote the best interests of Åbo Akademi University and its students. She has, among other roles, served as a member of the Student Union Council from 2021 to 2025, including as Chair in 2023, and held several positions of trust within the student association “Nyländska Nationen”.

– One experience I remember clearly is when I had the opportunity to represent students during Svenska Yle’s live election night broadcast in 2023 from Pasila. It was both exciting and educational!

Latvala has also served as a student representative on the regional board for Western Finland of the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS), where she has actively worked to ensure access to services and information in Swedish.

Well-being and mental health are central themes in her engagement.

– When people are well, everything else often falls into place. Promoting the wellbeing of young adults, our future workforce and taxpayers, is an investment in society.

As advice to young people who wish to get involved, Latvala emphasises that it is never too early or too late to begin. She began her own engagement at the age of 15 in the Raseborg Youth Council and has since continued to work to support young people’s wellbeing.

– When I began my studies at Åbo Akademi University in 2020, all teaching was conducted remotely due to the pandemic. When students returned to campus, I wanted to contribute to engaging people and strengthening a sense of belonging. My advice to those who want to drive change is to be courageous enough to try, while remembering that everything does not have to be done at once.

The recipient of the Ralf Törngren Prize is selected by the Board of the Åbo Akademi University Foundation based on submitted nominations. The selection is prepared by a prize committee. The Rector, all departments and the Student Union at Åbo Akademi University were invited to nominate a candidate.

In its citation, the prize committee highlights Latvala’s strong sense of responsibility and her extensive involvement across different levels of the ÅAU community. The committee notes that she “works purposefully for a better student life and, through her broad engagement, contributes to spreading everyday joy within student organisations and maintaining the student culture that is vital to ÅAU.” It also recognises her work within the FSHS to improve access to Swedish-language healthcare services.

Latvala will continue her studies while keeping her future options open. She hopes to work with issues related to people’s wellbeing in the future, for example within Finland’s wellbeing services counties or at ministerial level.

The prize is presented by Stefan Wallin, Chair of the Board of the Åbo Akademi University Foundation, during the delegation’s spring meeting on May 20.

The Ralf Törngren Prize was established in 2001 by the Åbo Akademi University Foundation to honour the contributions of Ralf Törngren to the foundation, Åbo Akademi University, and its Student Union. Ralf Törngren (1899–1961) served as CEO of the foundation from 1931 to 1948 and was a prominent member of the Finnish Parliament representing the Swedish People’s Party. He held several ministerial posts, including Minister of Social Affairs, Finance, Foreign Affairs, and served as Prime Minister and party chairman. He was also a lecturer in economics, an honorary doctor at the School of Business and Economics at Åbo Akademi University, and an active figure in local politics in Turku.

For more information:

Ines Latvala
Tel.: +358 44 071 7073
Email: ines.latvala@abo.fi