A view of 2023 and cheers for its highlights at ENG Awards Gala

Dean Kari Tammi of the School of Engineering hosted the school's annual awards event on 29 February 2024.
With roughly 120 people in attendance at Aalto Design Factory's Stage venue at Puumiehenkuja 5, the programme followed the dean's look back at the year 2023 in terms of both statistical data and individual highlights. Tammi began his first five-year term as dean in July 2023.
The year-in-review presentation paused at moments for the school to applaud those in its community whose efforts were recognised with annual Dean's Awards or official decorations from the Finnish state. Award recipients included students, teachers, researchers and service personnel of the school.


Awards for 2023
The dean's presentation on the results of the past year included the recognition of many members of the school's community for noteworthy efforts in the spheres of research, education, impact, and service. As per custom, the dean also presented recipients of Independence Day decorations in the school with their awards.
Doctoral Dissertation Awards
In total, five recent doctoral graduates were recognised for their dissertations, published in 2023:
- Juho Uzkurt Kaljunen for the dissertation
- Joonas Lehtovaara, for the dissertation
- Zhenkun Li, for the dissertation
- Milad Omidi, for the dissertation
- Malith Prasanna Rupasingha Arachchige, for the dissertation
Publication Awards
In recognition of outstanding research articles published during 2023, the dean presented three Publication Awards to the following recipients:
- Yifu Lan, for the article
- Jussi Juola, for the article
- Maria Inês Silva, for the article
Award for Achievements in Teaching
University Lecturer Tom Gustafsson from the Department of Mechanical Engineering received the 2023 Award for Achievements in Teaching in recognition of his contributions to bachelor's-level mechanics education, in particular for his student-centric approach to teaching and his work on the department's 350-student Statics course.
Active Student Awards
Twelve students of the School of Engineering were honoured with Active Students Awards. The freshman and master's captains from the three student guilds active in the school's fields of study were credited for their work helping new students integrate to the university, while three members of the guilds' boards were recognised for their participation in committee work and co-operation with the school's organs.
- Freshman captains
- Anna Öörni and Lumikki Poutanen, Guild of Mechanical Engineers
- Ninni Tähti and Sakari Mäntynen, Guild of Surveying Engineers
- Ella Koivisto and Miika Luhtamäki, Guild of Civil Engineers
- Master's captains
- Varpu Soini, Guild of Mechanical Engineers
- Daniel Guzman Monet, Guild of Surveying Engineers
- Aino Juvakka, Guild of Civil Engineers
- Board members
- Ollimatti Särkelä, Minister of Studies, Guild of Mechanical Engineers
- Vilma Puusaari, Master of Studies, Guild of Surveying Engineers
- Sofia Ahola, Responsible of Studies, Guild of Civil Engineers
Impact Award
Associate Professor Matti Kummu from the Department of Built Environment was presented with the Impact Award for his efforts and results in communicating his research findings to both specialist audiences. While accepting the award, Kummu gave his thanks to Communications Services personnel for their help in making his research stand out.
Award for Service
This year, the Award for Service was presented to two members of the school's HR Services, HR Partner Merja Seppänen and HR Advisor Paula Thomsson-Levä,for their excellent work and collaboration both within HR Services and with other school functions.
Independence Day decorations 2023
Three members of the school community received decorations on Independence Day 2023 from the president of the Republic of Finland:
- Seija Erander-Luukkanen, First Class Medal of the White Rose of Finland with golden cross (FWR I gold)
- Terhi Saarinen, Cross of Merit of the White Rose of Finland (FWR Cm)
- Leena Korkiala-Tanttu, Knight First Class of the White Rose of Finland (FWR K I)
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