New openings in university–industry cooperation: Aalto University as the forerunner of European University Reform

Abstract

The Innovation University (IU)—to be called the Aalto University after Alvav Aalto, a famous Finnish architect and MIT professor—is a new university which will be created through a merger of three existing universities: the Helsinki University of Technology (TKK), the Helsinki School of Economics (HSE) and the University of Art and Design Helsinki (TAIK). The commitment to this reform can be summed with one figure: start-up funding is 700 MEUR coming from the government and industry. The objectives set for the IU require long-term development of operations in a way that makes societal interaction and in particular, effectiveness serving working life an integral part of all the operations. This cannot be achieved without education and development services essential to working life competencies, meeting also short-term competency challenges and representing international top level. Themes, research topics and ways of working crossing boundaries will be nurtured within the focus areas of the new university. These facilitate comprehension of how knowledge and skills acquired through various disciplines are to be integrated into the teaching and learning practices. The IU is the developer of new learning environments and a determined promoter of lifelong learning. The new university will position itself within the core of global competition, as an active interaction node and meeting forum for the international academic community and the most noteworthy networks formed by global companies. In selected key areas, the new university will volunteer to act and take a role as the network orchestrator.

^†This article was written in the planning phase of the new university in May 2008. Aalto University will officially launch its operations in January 2010.

Keywords:

• university reform
• innovation
• university–industry cooperation
• continuing education
• lifelong learning

Acknowledgements

This article continues the work of the IU WLEDS Strategy Group and disseminates the results achieved so far in the on-going development process. We have already had more than 40 active employees in these six WLEDS units who have contributed to the work ‘Painting the Potential’. With this article, we want to thank all of them and open more international discussion on this university reform. Within our own core area of business ‘continuing education and other working life services’, we are a global forerunner and through that role we encourage other similar university actors to interact towards strategic partnerships.

Notes

^†This article was written in the planning phase of the new university in May 2008. Aalto University will officially launch its operations in January 2010.