New views into eServices development from ITP student project

IT Services took part this summer in the Information Technology Program where student teams gain strong applied understanding of IT, design and the digital world by working with customer projects. The assignment by IT Services for the multidisciplinary team of students was to create a concept of the future of electronic services for Aalto University. The project team was given free hands to envision how Aalto University’s eServices could and should be in the next five to ten years.

The team, Pirita Yli-Opas and Maria Sibinescu from Aalto University and Jaakko Peltonen of Turku School of Economics, collected data and interviewed for the project both students and staff and faculty. Innovation and community rose as key themes from the Aalto’s strategy and from the team's research. New technologies are emerging, which should be reflected in how people in universities work and learn. Teaching skills over information and remote working are also growing as a trend.

It was inspirational to see the students’ ambition in this project says Martti Rahkila. The final report and presented concepts are derived from the university's strategy and highlight the community as the base of the future eServices and intranet.

ITP project coordinator Heini-Maari Kemppainen finds internal collaboration within Aalto University in the form of an ITP summer project a great way to consider student points of view in the service design. In Strategy and Experience Design track the team was allowed with room for creativity and tools for visioning digital services for the future. The final report can offer interesting ideas for developing also our university further. 

Final report: Aalto University eServices concept

The team: Pirita Yli-Opas and Maria Sibinescu from Aalto University and Jaakko Peltonen of Turku School of Economics. The project steering group was lead by Martti Rahkila and Patrik Maltusch and included experts from communications and IT services. 

For over 20 years the Information Technology Program (ITP) has been bringing together technology, design and business talent and fostering successful project teams.The purpose of ITP is to provide students with a strong applied understanding of IT, design and the digital world. The program provides concepts and approaches that enable students with diverse backgrounds to operate effectively in the global business environment now and in the future. Students gain valuable real life project experience in business project course.