The opening ceremony of Aalto University
The official inauguration of Aalto University took place in Finlandia Hall and Kiasma on 8th January 2010. Traditions were honoured while, at the same time, something new and unique was being created.
The speakers at the opening included, in addition to the President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen, Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, Aalto President Tuula Teeri and President of Aalto University Student Union Jussi Valtonen. In their Festive Dialogue Professor Yrjö Sotamaa and Professor Minna Halme talked about the values and the origin of Aalto University. The idea was to make the launch a part of the society around, and its main elements were fire, light and video.
The President of the Republic of Finland, Tarja Halonen, welcomed the new university in her opening address, after which Finland's Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen greeted Aalto University on behalf of himself and the Government of Finland and thanked those who had contributed to the creation of the new university.
Opening Speech of President Tarja Halonen (pdf)
- The humane general task of the Aalto University is to be involved in answering questions and opportunities, as - in the words of Alvar Aalto - "the technical culture" will have an increasingly wide impact on all civilisations, societies and natural environments. The special task of the Aalto University is to contribute to helping Finland in this humane development as well as to succeed both internally and externally, Vanhanen pointed out.
Opening Speech of Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (pdf)
- Aalto University has been granted more freedom, but also given the responsibility to build a world class university in Finland. We will base our efforts on the strengths and values characteristic to Finland and the Finnish people - diligence and perseverance - the so called Finnish SISU, Aalto President Tuula Teeri said.
Tuula Teeri also announced that the first nomination in the Aalto Professor category has been awarded to Professor Risto Nieminen from the Department of Applied Physics at the Aalto University School of Science and Technology. Professor Nieminen is specializing in computational condensed-matter and materials physics, including nanosciences and nanotechnology, Teeri said.
Inauguration in the Second Life
The inauguration of Aalto University was also celebrated in the Aalto Island built in the Second Life virtual world where the guests can follow the events in Finlandia Hall as a direct transmission and participate in discussions.
In the speech in Second Life, President Teeri assured the students that Aalto University will invest in the quality of teaching and learning. She promised that the number of qualified teachers will be increased and the quality of student counselling improved.
- We want to provide our students with an inspiring, ambitious and interactive learning environment where they are acknowledged as members of the academic community. We hope that this will motivate the students to work diligently and to learn eagerly, Teeri said.
Strength from differences
The new President of Aalto University Student Union, Jussi Valtonen, urged the students and the teachers to challenge each other in pursuing learning-centred culture and to seize cross-scientific opportunities. Valtonen encouraged those in Aalto to find solutions in work parties with partners, companies and society.
- Aalto gets its strength from being different: Let's value the expertise of each one of us. We need to support each other in our different ambitions and dreams. Let's make Aalto the Google of the university world, a place to where more and more people head to realize their passion, Valtonen exhorted.
Opening Speech of Jussi Valtonen (pdf)
The visual image of the opening ceremony was mainly constructed around the visual entity designed by visual artist Jenni Valorinta. The performers in the event included Liisa Pentti with her dance group and Raoul Björkenheim, Iiro Rantala New Trio, Senni Eskelinen Stringpurée Band, as well as fire artists Trio Taika ja Tulikansa.
Opening Programme (pdf)
Photos: Aino Huovio
