Presidential couple of Iceland visited Aalto University

President of the Republic of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir, accompanied by her spouse Björn Skúlason, visited Aalto University 8 October 2025. The state visit was hosted by President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb together with his spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb.

The presidential couples were introduced to exhibition Designs for a Cooler Planet which showcases multidisciplinary work by students and researchers and the Aalto Design Factory, an experimental co-creation platform for interdisciplinary learning.  In addition, the Presidents engaged in discussions with students on leadership in a changing world order. 

The state visit will focus on the bilateral relations between Finland and Iceland, Nordic and other regional cooperation, issues relating to the Arctic, as well as support for Ukraine.

Visit to Designs for a Cooler Planet exhibition showcasing multidisciplinary work by students and researchers

The research collaboration between Iceland and Finland, is largely connected to environmental science and sustainability. Thus, a possibility to visit Aalto University’s biggest annual exhibition – Designs for a Cooler Planet – was well suited to the presidential visit.  

The exhibition presents a selection of the most visionary and exciting cross-disciplinary work from Aalto University’s students and researchers. It includes concrete examples of prototypes, experiments and solutions from the intersection of science, arts, technology and business, each project representing the quest for a better future.

Three projects were presented more closely:  

• Professor Matti Kuittinen, presented how to build within the planetary boundaries
• Coordinator Greta Isola, talked about teaching material literacy for children and  
• CEO Johannes Peace and Design Lead Henrik Jansson, showed how used wind turbine blades are gaining a new life  

Visit to Aalto Design Factory, an experimental co-creation platform for interdisciplinary learning

During the visit the presidential couples also visited the Aalto Design Factory, an experimental co-creation platform for interdisciplinary learning.  The centre was presented by Professor Professor Kalevi Ekman who has been part of the Design Factory’s story since it was started. The presidential couples were also showcased some of the workshops and examples of product development projects. 

During their visit, presidents held a discussion event with students on leadership in a changing world order.