Our strategy

Aalto University strategy – We shape a sustainable future

Our operations are based on high-quality research, education, impact, as well as shared values – responsibility, courage, and collaboration. The purpose of the university is to shape a sustainable future.
Strategy key visuals visualising the university key areas, namely research, education, impact, illustration by Anna Muchenikova

Our journey in a changing world 

For over ten years Aalto University has brought together science, art, technology, and business, and is now among the top universities in the world in its main fields. Our campus has rapidly grown into a world-class collaboration hub and meeting place, and we have transformed into one of Europe’s most international universities.  

The world around us is changing faster than ever. We are in the middle of a sustainability crisis, technological disruption, and a transformation of work life. Higher education is also changing, with increasing demand and competition, digitalisation and pressure on funding. 

Universities must be trailblazers to respond to these global challenges. 

Illustration showing our values courage, collaboration and responsibility, illustration by Anna Muchenikova

Long-term direction 

Aalto University’s purpose is to shape a sustainable future. We do high-quality research, excelling and making breakthroughs in and across science, art, technology and business. We spark the game changers of tomorrow, and renew society with research-based knowledge, creativity and an entrepreneurial mindset.  

All our work is guided by the values of the university: responsibility, courage, and collaboration.  

Development areas  

To support our direction for the long term we have selected development areas that best help us achieve our purpose. 

In our research, we strengthen clusters of excellence in our key research areas, and bring complementary talent together to work on grand challenges.

In education, we take greater societal responsibility in degree education and continuous learning, and improve student experiences.

We create impact by becoming a prominent node in global networks. We invite our entire community – faculty, staff, students, alumni and partners – to join and build an innovation, creative and entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

Illustration representing themes that cut accross all Aalto's operations - sustainable solutions, radical creativity and entrepreneurial mindset, illustration by Anna Muchenikova

Three approaches

To support our direction for the long term and development targets, we have selected three special areas of community strength: sustainable solutions, radical creativity, and an entrepreneurial mindset can be seen in everything that we do.  

Aalto’s success is based on our people; we want to encourage participation, curiosity, and collaboration, as well as promote the well-being of the community. In addition, we invest in modern and increasingly digitalised infrastructures as well as in the campus and services. We want to make Aalto the best place for study, work, and entrepreneurship.  

Our strategy

Aalto University's future is built upon a foundation of high-quality research, education, impact and shared values – responsibility, courage, and collaboration. The purpose of the university is to shape a sustainable future.

Learn more about our strategy
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