Stories from alumni and students
Summer School Alum Story: Why diversity and inclusion matter 鈥 learnings from this summer
This summer鈥檚 course shows students that no organisation can afford to overlook its commitment to this topic, neither now nor in the future.
Alum Tuomas Paananen: 'Many paths lead back to studies'
Tuomas Paananen, originally from Vihti, knew from a young age that he wanted to be an entrepreneur.
Oskari Heikkil盲 is the first Aaltonian to do the double degree in Automation and Electrical Engineering in Iceland
Oskari Heikkil盲 ended up with a variety of experiences, and two master's degrees from the double degree program between Reykjavik University and Aalto University.
Summer School alum Suvi: 鈥淪uccessful brands don鈥檛 just wing it鈥
We spoke with Summer School alum Suvi Valtonen-Kim,聽a Korean-Finnish design student in her senior year, based in Hong Kong.
Summer School alum story: How Finnish happiness found its way to Japan
Summer School in Happiness Science gave Junko Motohashi a reason to slow down and reflect on her
personal life and career.
personal life and career.
President Ilkka Niemel盲 to alumni: 'At Aalto, we dare to dream - and we dare to do'
Aalto Alumni Weekend brought together 1 400 alumni.
Hitesh Monga shaped his path in Aalto from a summer intern to a master鈥檚 graduate
Hitesh Monga, graduate from Communication Engineering master's major, shares the path that lead him 色色啦 and beyond
The Alum of the Year Juha Jolkkonen Has Built an Impressive Career as a Leader, Physician and Reformer
Alum of the Year Juha Jolkkonen has played an active role in developing the Aalto Executive MBA program for the City of Helsinki.
Alum Nina Zhao: Curiosity has taken me far
Nina Zhao has graduated from the master's program in Global Management, and she currently works at EY People Advisory Services in New York.
Support for the transition to working life and insights into one's own skills
Participants of the latest mentoring programme Inka Vettenranta and Marek Hude膷ek share their mentoring experiences.
School of Science Alumnus of the Year Matti Aksela: it鈥檚 always worth learning something new
Aksela mentors international students through the Aalto International Talent programme and hopes to see even greater diversity in the technology sector.
School of Electrical Engineering Alum of the Year 2025 Ville Voipio shares his insights on the importance of adaptability
Three themes guide Ville Voipio's career: digitalisation, sustainability and economic well-being. He received the Alum of the Year award at the Alumni Weekend event on 25 October 2025.
From polymer technology to international research centres 鈥 Chemical engineering alum of the year Petri Lehmus
Petri Lehmus, Vice President of Research and Development at Neste Corporation, has been named alum of the year by the School of Chemical Engineering. Throughout his career, he has led international research centres, built the success story of Neste鈥檚 renewable business and advanced chemical engineering research and education at Aalto University.
School of Engineering Alum of the Year Mika Viljanmaa: There鈥檚 no point in developing something useless
Viljanmaa, an award-winning inventor, calls Otaniemi his professional and spiritual home.
'It was never obvious to me that I would pursue studies in a technical field 鈥 but choosing Aalto University turned out to be an excellent decision.'
What is it like to study in the Master's programme in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)?
Harri Paananen, triple alum of Aalto University, moves to NATO from the City of Espoo
鈥業n doctoral studies, you need to be able to define the problem yourself and solve it,鈥 says Aalto University鈥檚 triple alum Harri Paananen. He first applied that mindset in the City of Espoo and now in his new role at NATO.
Alum Maria Pirkkalainen-Barber: Business studies built a bridge for international influencing
Maria Pirkkalainen-Barber has graduated from Aalto University School of Business, majoring in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management.
Alum Salla Lonka implements a culture of experimentation in a home appliance company
Salla Lonka finds it fascinating to examine creative processes from a distance, focusing on efficiency and impact. After completing her master's degree in fashion design, she ended up at a global home appliance company in Stockholm.
Summer School Alum Story: 鈥淚f you鈥檙e interested in game design, there鈥檚 no place like this鈥
Aaron Misra from Mumbai, India, joined the Game Design course by Aalto University Summer School in July 2025.
Alum Maija Itkonen shapes food and businesses: 鈥業 want to do things that I can direct my passion towards鈥
Maija Itkonen, CEO of Onego Bio, is known for popularising the meat alternative Pulled Oats and now also for egg protein made without chickens. She believes business can change the world for the better.
