News

Alumni are getting more involved in Aalto University’s development

A new alumni network board gives alumni a stronger voice in the university.
Alumnit / Photo by Hanna Wikström
Photo: Hanna Wikström

The alumni network board, brought together by the President of Aalto University Ilkka Niemelä, represents alumni and different alumni organisations, and brings forward the alumni's views on the university’s long-term development, such as strategy work. It also supports the establishment of new associations for groups, or geographical areas where alumni activities are not yet in place.

The members of the alumni network board are Kaj Hagros (Chair), Jaakko Eteläaho, Niko Ferm, Ilkka Hiirsalmi, Edgar Ramos and Anna Valtonen.

’We have over 90 000 alumni who are a key asset of the university. The importance of alumni activities is emphasised as the need for lifelong learning increases. We want to provide a forum where alumni who have been longer in the work life get a chance to meet with members of the university community, students and researchers. I am delighted that our alumni network board represents diverse experience from different fields,’ says Ilkka Niemelä.

‘In Aalto University, there are excellent examples of thriving alumni activities, including guilds and sub-associations. We will continue to encourage the set up and development of alumni activities in educational programmes and interdisciplinary groups. We also want to bring new common content to the alumni. For example, we are planning a new kind of annual event,’ says Kaj Hagros.

The first task of the board is to network with alumni associations already operating within the university and start a joint development dialogue. If you are the chair of an alumni association, please contact Kaj Hagros.
 

Further information:

Kaj Hagros
Chair of the leadership group of the Aalto University alumni network
forname.surname@alumni.aalto.fi
Tel. +358 40 849 1749

Elisa Kouvonen
Manager, Alumni Relations and Career and Recruitment Services
Aalto University
forname.surname@aalto.fi
Tel. +358 50 571 7599

  • Updated:
  • Published:
Share
URL copied!

Read more news

Attendees networking at Demo Day
Campus, University Published:

Demo Day breaks records in 2026: Inside Otaniemi’s fastest growing startup showcase

Hosted by Aalto Startup Center and A Grid, Demo Day brought together nearly 800 visitors, 90 startup booths, and over 75 investors. What began as a grassroots gathering in 2018 has grown into one of Finland’s most vibrant startup showcases.
Open book showing a skateboarding person and another person with yellow hair in a colourful outfit at Agfa Multicultural Centre.
University Published:

Coming up next autumn at Aalto's Department of Architecture: a studio course on the reuse and expansion of the present Architecture and Design Museum buildings in Helsinki

Capstone Studio 2026 at Aalto explores adaptive reuse of the Architecture and Design Museum in Helsinki, using photography, collage and urban design methods.
Abstract map with winding red paths, blue stream, green areas, and multicoloured sections resembling landscapes.
University Published:

Antti Ahlava talking on Relationships in Design Principles & Practices conference (Rome, Italy)

Antti Ahlava presented “Relationship-based Architectural Design” at the Design Principles & Practices conference in Rome, discussing new methodological approaches in architecture.
Silhouettes of people walking and interacting, with orange paint splatters on a grey background.
University Published:

Making space for creativity with the help of ELEC Diversity and Inclusivity Fund

Inspired by findings that movement fuels creativity, doctoral researcher Tim Moesgen launched body-based workshops at Aalto University