Aalto University turns 15
The idea for the new university was first presented in the opening speech of the 2005 academic year by Yrjö Sotamaa, then president of the University of Art and Design Helsinki. The vision of a university combining technology, business, and the arts was radical and globally unique, driven by a strong belief in the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and the competitive edge it could offer.
The initiative would not have come to life without the efforts of Matti Pursula, president of Helsinki University of Technology, and Eero Kasanen, president of the Helsinki School of Economics, who joined forces with Sotamaa. Under their leadership, the staff and students of the three schools actively participated in designing the new university.
The merger progressed at an exceptional pace and with remarkable unity, backed by both the Finnish government and the business community. Finland was ready for a major transformation to create a globally competitive university.
A key milestone was securing a sufficient capital base. The business sector mobilised significantly to boost fundraising. With support from companies, individuals, foundations and other organisations, a total of €200 million was raised. The state matched this capital with a 2.5 multiplier, contributing an additional €500 million. As the flagship project of Finland’s university reform, Aalto University began operations in January 2010.
Yrjö Sotamaa, professor emeritus and long-time president of the University of Art and Design HelsinkiWe can be proud and pleased that Finland has a university like this. It’s an exceptional idea on a global scale – to build a university on a foundation of differences and creative collaboration.
A global game-changer
Today, Aalto is a globally recognised top university where excellence in research meets creativity and an entrepreneurial mindset. It educates new change-makers and develops solutions for a sustainable future. Groundbreaking innovations emerge from the intersection of art, business, and technology.
The Otaniemi campus has evolved into a unique hub of collaboration. Alongside the renowned red-brick buildings of science and technology, the campus now features spaces for one of the world’s leading art and design schools and one of Europe’s top business schools. A thriving startup culture has emerged around the university, and 1,400 high-tech companies make the campus one of the largest technology clusters in Europe.
Internationality is at the core of Aalto’s identity: its students represent 117 nationalities, and half of the university’s faculty and researchers come from outside Finland.
Donors have played a crucial role in the Aalto story. The donations received in 2010 laid a strong foundation for the new university. Over the years, donor support has enabled Aalto’s growth and success, with countless individuals, companies, foundations and other organisations contributing to the university’s rise to global prominence.
In fifteen years, Aalto University has shown how bold ideas and collaboration can change the world. The journey continues – and the future is built together.
Text: Marjukka Puolakka
Aalto University
Aalto University
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