Research and art: Driving excellence
We create world-class clusters of excellence and bring talent together.
Our strategy
Shaping a sustainable future
Aalto University’s purpose is to shape a sustainable future. We do high-quality research, excelling and making breakthroughs in and across science, art, technology and business. We spark the game changers of tomorrow, and renew society with research-based knowledge, creativity and an entrepreneurial mindset. All our work is guided by the values of the university: responsibility, courage, and collaboration.
Quick overview of the strategy
Our plan 2026-2029
Learn more about the areas of development
Our purpose and values define our long-term direction. We have selected the areas of development below that best drive us towards our purpose.
Education: Future-led learning
We advance high-quality and data-driven teaching and learning with a life-wide learning path.
Impact: Inspiring ecosystem
We build an international collaborative ecosystem.
Enabling our success
To enable our success, we invest in our community & people, infrastructures & campus and services & resources.
Three approaches to everything we do
We need new lenses to look at the biggest problems facing the world. Our combination of science, art, technology and business expertise allows us to rethink challenges and solutions alike. By encouraging a radically creative and entrepreneurial culture within our community, together we can make impact and find sustainable solutions.
Solutions for sustainability
We create solutions for sustainability by combining our strengths.
Radical creativity
We enable experimental activities that challenge the status quo.
Entrepreneurial mindset
We advance the entrepreneurial mindset and capabilities of our community.
Read more and give input
A living strategy for a world in motion
In our living strategy approach, our purpose, values, and way of working define our long-term direction while our choices are proactively and continuously re-evaluated.
Related news
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.
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.
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.
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 UniversityContact us
Our living strategy processes are coordinated by Marja Niemi, Head of Planning and Leadership Support.
For any questions regarding the strategy, please contact: firstname.lastname@aalto.fi