Professor Patrick Aebischer to join the Aalto University Board
25.10.2010
The Academic Affairs Committee of Aalto University, in its meeting on 25th October 2010, decided to appoint Professor Patrick Aebischer, currently President of EPFL, as a member of the board of Aalto University for a three-year period. He will replace Robert A. Brown, currently President of Boston University, whose term is ending now. Aebischer brings to the board a strong vision concerning the European university scene and both expertise and experience about change management for universities. He will start in his task on 1st of January 2011.
Starting from 1st of January 2011, the board of Aalto University will be formed by D.Sc. (Engineering) Matti Alahuhta (Chairman), Professor Patrick Aebischer, Director Anne Brunila, Professor Bengt Holmström, Professor Marja Makarow, Professor Saku Mantere, and President Anna Valtonen. All the Members of the Board have a doctoral degree.
Professor Patrick Aebischer is 56 years of age and is the President of Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland. Professor Aebischer's research area is biomedicine and biomaterials, and he has a doctoral degree from the University of Geneva.
Aebischer has a significant international experience, and between 1984‒1992 he worked, among other things, as Assistant Professor and head of a section at Brown University (Rhode Island, USA). He is a member of several science academies in Europe and the U.S.
Professor Aebischer has increased his experience in strategic and change management for universities and research institutes while working as the President of EPFL to which task he was appointed in 1999.
The current appointments were made in line with the proposal by the board's Appointment Committee. The Appointment Committee made the proposal about the board members once it had heard the Finnish State and other originators of the Foundation as well as the Student Union.
Further information:
Jari Jokinen
Director for policy and foresight
jari.jokinen [at] aalto [dot] fi
Tel. +358 (0)400 914 839
