Sweco and Aalto University to expand collaboration

The Aalto University Department of Civil Engineering and the design and consulting firm Sweco have signed an agreement aimed at intensifying cooperation in the Master’s Programme in Building Technology. The collaboration agreement supports research in structural engineering, maintains communication between research and planning and design, and improves the further education of the professionals in this field.

‘Sweco wants to be strongly involved in the development of research and science in this field in Finland. By supporting research, we can develop planning and design in a direction that studies have found more sustainable and improve the functioning of the built environment and people’s well-being’, says Director Ismo Tawast from Sweco.

‘We want to be involved in the education of new structural engineers and encourage young people to studies in the field of construction. We offer students topics and placements for completing master’s theses, coordinating them in cooperation with the Aalto University Department of Civil Engineering’, Tawast adds.

‘We value cooperation with Sweco as we want to offer our students instruction that highlights the importance of theory in solving practical challenges and provides a way to learn and transition to working life as naturally as possible’, says Professor Jari Puttonen, Head of the Aalto University Department of Civil Engineering. 

‘The importance of structural engineering is constantly increasing in the field of construction, whether we talk about the construction of high tower blocks or underground spaces’, Puttonen explains. ‘The starting point of good construction is functional structural plans, so experts who understand structural engineering and construction as a whole are in constant demand.’

The three-year bachelor’s level major in Mechanical and Structural Engineering at Aalto University provides an opportunity to study and graduate with a master’s degree from the two-year programme in Building Technology instructed in English. Every year, between 80 and 90 students graduate with a master’s degree in the field of construction from the Department of Civil Engineering. They have traditionally been very successful in finding employment.

‘The world is becoming more international and the importance of English in working life is emphasised in all fields. In the future, digitalisation will further emphasise the importance of creativity and the ability to solve problems in design assignments. Our students who graduate with a Master’s Degree in Building Technology will be the future top experts in their fields’, says Professor Puttonen.

Further information:

Aalto University
Professor Jari Puttonen
jari.puttonen@aalto.fi, tel. +358 50 384 1782

Sweco
Director Ismo Tawast
ismo.tawast@sweco.fi, tel. +358 40 528 7432

  Sweco Finland is the leading company specialized in the built environment and industry in Finland. Our multi-disciplinary expertise enables innovative solutions and developing a sustainable society. Sweco Finland is part of the international Sweco Group. Of the 14 500 Sweco employees in total, nearly 2 000 work in Finland. sweco.fi