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The partnership agreement was signed for five years. Mika Karaila, Research Director of Valmet Automation Systems, started as Professor of Practice at the School of Engineering on 1 February 2025.
Valmet Corporation, one of the world's leading technology and service companies in the process industry, and Aalto University are strengthening their cooperation with a renewed partnership agreement.
The new agreement builds on a long-standing cooperation in both research and education. In recent years, the focus has been on energy technology and the development of carbon-neutral production. In the future, the cooperation will increasingly focus on the green transition and artificial intelligence.
"The use of AI in R&D is a natural development for the future of green transition technologies," says Viivi Villa-Nuottajärvi, Vice President of Research and Development at Valmet. Aalto University is involved in dozens of projects as part of Valmet's Beyond Circularity programme, which aims to innovate new solutions to advance the carbon neutrality and green transition goals of customer industries.
The cooperation with Valmet has included theses and dissertations, course collaboration and research projects. Valmet also participates in the Aalto International Talent programme, which aims to bring together international students and Finnish companies. The Valmet brand is also visible to students in a tangible way: the opening of the Valmet Hall was celebrated on campus last year.
"Valmet is a very important and long-standing partner for Aalto. Themes that are important to both parties, such as sustainable development, creativity and artificial intelligence, will continue to strengthen our common direction in the future," says Ilkka Niemelä, President of Aalto University.
Karaila to focus on Industrial Internet
The cooperation is also strengthened by the appointment of Mika Karaila, Research Director of Valmet's Automation Systems business line, as Professor of Practice at the School of Engineering from 1 February. He will work on research and education in Industrial Internet in Professor Petri Kuosmanen's research group.
"Mika acts as a bridge between academia and industry, focusing on the integration of cutting-edge technology into education and research. With his extensive experience in automation and industrial digitalisation, he will be able to provide our students with invaluable knowledge and practical experience in the field," says Kari Tammi, Dean of the School.
Karaila will serve a five-year term.
Further information
Heikki Lahtinen
Manager, Corporate Relations, School of Engineering
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