Today we celebrated Professor Tapani Vuorinen’s remarkable 45 year career at Aalto University. In his speech, Professor Vuorinen highlighted the power of imagination – it is incredible. “Creating with our own hands unlocks our minds and recovers the imagination we had as children. Chemarts has succeeded because it encourages in own ideas and accepts failure as an essential part of learning process.”
Tapani Vuorinen’s legacy words: “Dream – believe on your dreams, work for your dreams collaborate for fulfilling your dreams, and advocate everyone eagerly. As Finnish proverb goes: Tunne oma tilasi, anna arvo toisellekin. In English: Know your own space, and give value to others, too.”
Here are some main take-aways from the panel:
1. The power of collaboration
Big breakthroughs don’t happen alone – progress comes from openness, partnerships, and working across disciplines.
2. Thinking long-term
Research isn’t just about the here and now – it’s about creating solutions that will matter for future generations.
3. Curiosity above all
Asking new, even uncomfortable questions is what pushes science forward. Staying curious is at the heart of it all. Keep dreaming and imagining of different future.
4. Responsibility to society
Science can’t exist in a bubble – researchers have a duty to take part in public debate and share their expertise.
5. Humanity and teaching
Beyond research, a professor is also a mentor, an inspirer, a community builder. Knowledge and human values go hand in hand.
Thank you for the panel participants and speakers and contributors of the seminar: Pirjo Kääriäinen, Petri Suomala, Christine Hagström-Näsi, Olavi Pikka, Raili Pönni, Ainomaija Haarla, Luana Dessbesell, Niklas von Weymarn, Janne Laine, and Susanna Ahola.
We are deeply grateful to Professor Vuorinen for his decades of work and the inspiration he has given to so many.
Tapani Vuorinen, professor of forest products chemistry at the School of Chemical Engineering, was appointed Aalto Distinguished Professor at the opening of the academic year on 3 September.
