Aalto University innovation camp yields creative ideas
06.07.2010
The results of ACSI 2010 (Aalto Camp for Societal Innovation) innovation event were presented to the public on Monday 5 July at the White Hall in Helsinki. The ACSI 2010 pilot camp worked on projects for six customers.
ACSI seeks to stimulate innovative collaboration between professors, researchers and students, together with local authorities, public administration, enterprises and other stakeholders of Aalto University. The goal is to develop concepts that will work in a wide variety of settings and can also be exploited globally.
The projects of the eight-day pilot camp were divided under three thematic headings: Learning in Knowledge Society, Strategic Design and Communities, and New Service Concepts for Ageing People. They were commissioned by WSOYPro Ltd, Aalto University, the City of Espoo, the City of Kotka, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, and the City of Helsinki.
Ideas for the Kotka harbour area and supplementary studies at Aalto University
In the project for the City of Kotka the ACSI team came up with some ideas to redevelop the Kotka harbour area.
“We are keen to make the harbour area part of the city. The ACSI group compiled an interesting package from a network of ideas, including revitalising the City-harbour axis, improving work with immigrants, small-scale enterprise and improved transport links,” explains Markku Hannonen, a master plan architect from the City of Kotka.
The pilot camp also formulated some new approaches for the work of the Aalto University supplementary education centre.
“Our main idea was for the provider of supplementary education to support syllabus design and provide practical guidance for suitable partners and providers of expertise. Operations must be modernised and expanded, for example into social media channels,” says Kirsti Miettinen, Director of Aalto University supplementary education centre.
Collaboration turns ideas into innovations
The new generation of innovations will arise in international networks and communities.
“The work of ACSI is a good match for the values and objectives of Aalto University. We would like to develop and support any work that seeks new solutions in a bold and creative way,” explained Vice-President Hannu Seristö, in the opening address to the concluding session of ACSI.
Over 100 people were involved in the pilot camp, which was developed by Markku Markkula and Professor Pirjo Ståhle, and realised under the direction of a project group led by Project Manager Mika Pirttivaara of Aalto University. The main partner in the camp was the New Club of Paris, and a student task force from Laurea University of Applied Sciences also substantially contributed to the success of the pilot project. The outcome of the pilot project will be formulated into a standing global innovation operation with the support of the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation – Tekes.
This work will continue as a joint undertaking of several universities. The next major global event will be the 2011 ACSI camp, which will focus on about twenty projects and is expected to attract between 300 and 500 participants.
For further details please contact:
Markku Markkula
markku.markkula [at] aalto [dot] fi, +358 50 464 2455
Mika Pirttivaara
mika.pirttivaara [at] tkk [dot] fi, +358 40 768 1683
