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Aalto University and Nokia signed a partnership agreement today, the purpose of which is to establish, expand and systematise the already extensive strategic cooperation. The aim is also to support natural and proactive networking between people.

Aalto University and Nokia have a long history together, and Nokia has so far been Aalto’s most important business partner. Research cooperation has recently taken place within the framework of Nokia Advanced Research Center (NCAR) of Nokia Bell Labs, the University of Helsinki and Aalto University. In 2017, Nokia Bell Labs nominated Aalto University as its Distinguished Academic Partner.

ICT is an important research priority, currently supplemented by artificial intelligence research. In this area, Nokia Bell Labs is cooperating particularly with the Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering and the School of Science, which have strong competence in the field.

‘Automation plays an important role in Nokia’s future vision, and it will be increasingly based on artificial intelligence. It is important to us that Finland has strong expertise in the field, such as Aalto does, and that the knowledge will be developed further and extended’, says Nokia’s Vice President for Research and Technology Lauri Oksanen.

In addition to research, the agreement covers cooperation in education, competence development, campus development and recruitment. Aalto University is an interesting partner for Nokia particularly because of its multidisciplinary competence. It is important to combine expertise in the field of technology with competence in the arts, design and business. The aim is to extend cooperation in projects related to teaching. In addition, the parties intend to actively map out new opportunities for cooperation provided by Aalto University and Nokia’s campuses and the networks.

‘It is exciting to see what kind of possibilities for co-operation open up in the future, when all of Aalto University's schools are located on the Otaniemi campus, in the vicinity of Nokia’s campus. Close proximity and new communication technologies facilitate interaction, the sharing of information and the coordination of different functions. As a result of project-based learning and entrepreneurship, Aalto University can provide the students opportunities for closer cooperation with Nokia’, says Aalto University President Ilkka Niemelä.

Ilkka Niemelä (left) and Lauri Oksanen shook hands after signing the agreement.