In 2010, the University of Art and Design Helsinki, Helsinki School of Economics and the Helsinki University of Technology merged to form Aalto University. The new university was given a national mission; To strengthen Finland’s innovation capacity through first-class research, artistic activities and education.

‘Over the past ten years, we have become a forerunner in our key areas. This success is due to the Aalto community’s enthusiastic and determined work and our open way of working together’ says President Ilkka Niemelä.In field-specific international comparisons, Aalto’s key areas are already amongst the best in the world. For example, the art and design field ranks 7th in the QS listing (4th in Europe); telecommunications technology ranked 22nd in field rankings by ShanghaiRanking (4th in Europe); information technology ranked 33rd in the US News (3rd in Europe); business administration at 29th by ShanghaiRanking (4th in Europe); architecture / built environment ranked 42nd in the QS listing (16th in Europe).Aalto is also one of the world’s leading universities under the age of 50 (ranked 9th in the QS) and ranked among the best universities in the world in global comparisons (QS 134th; Times Higher Education 184th).

The Otaniemi campus has created a network hub

The Otaniemi campus has rapidly grown into a world-class collaboration hub. The School of Arts, Design and Architecture moved to Otaniemi in autumn 2018, and the School of Business relocated in early 2019.The heart of Aalto University’s business cooperation is at the A Grid Centre where the Aalto Startup Center can be found, as well as 140 companies and communities, such as the business incubator of the European Space Agency ESA and the United Nations technology laboratory.‘At Aalto, we are developing solutions to major global challenges. In addition to high-quality research, education and innovation, we have unique strengths that can be utilised for future challenges. A truly multidisciplinary community that creates new perspectives and an inspiring, entrepreneurial culture,’ says Ilkka Niemelä.Aalto is involved in six European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) networks, which makes Aalto the leading EIT university in Europe. The goal of the networks is to promote cooperation, entrepreneurship and new ideas between businesses and educational and research institutes.The Aalto community also develops innovations in direct cooperation with their partners such as  the BatCircle consortium of companies and research institutes led by Aalto and Outotec which is responsible for the strategic planning of battery recycling throughout the EU. The goal of the consortium is for the value of the battery market in Finland to reach as high as €5 billion in the near future.Read the full storyPublished by Aalto University 8 January 2020
Cover photo: Unto Rautio / Aalto UniversityHealth Capital Helsinki