Aalto University recruits a new Vice President to lead the Innovation agenda

The Board of Aalto University decided to establish a position of Vice President for Innovation due to innovation and ecosystem becoming strategically more critical for Aalto University. The recruitment process of the new Vice President for Innovation has started.

In line with its vision, Aalto University strives to build an innovative society by combining cutting-edge science and technology with design expertise and financial thinking. The goal is to develop the main campus into a unique collaboration hub, which links the international research and innovation networks and domestic actors.

‘Aalto University has a national mission to strengthen the innovative capacity of Finland. Our university is nowadays a motor of vibrant and diverse innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. The activity in this field is growing and its strategic importance is underlined in the long term, so it is natural to have a Vice President responsible specifically for our innovation agenda,’ says Aalto University President Ilkka Niemelä.

The new Vice President will be responsible for leading and facilitating the Aalto innovation agenda. She/he will build and nurture our knowledge-driven ecosystem within and around the university further in line with our national mission. The Vice President ensures that the university has the best prerequisites to become a focal point of new thinking and commercial potential for a wide range of Aalto University’s private and public, Finnish and international partners.  

The Vice President will empower our community to produce, identify and introduce societally significant innovations. The goal is to promote innovations based on research of high scientific value and multidisciplinary cooperation, together with our diverse partner network.

Previously, the Vice President for Research has led also innovation activities, and the close link between research and innovation will be ensured in the future, too. The new Vice President will report to the Provost, and her/his term of office is five years.

For more information:
Kristiina Mäkelä,
Provost, Aalto University
kristiina.makela@aalto.fi, tel. +358 40 559 3454