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Their Majesties King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark visited Aalto University on March 5. The state visit was hosted by President of the Republic Alexander Stubb together with his spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb.

The aim of the state visit was to further consolidate and deepen cooperation between Finland and Denmark, both bilaterally and as members of NATO. Issues such as defense, societal resilience, and the green transition were covered during the visit.

During the Aalto University campus visit, the delegation also included Denmark's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen

Finland's first quantum computer as a point of interest in Micronova

The King and Queen together with the Presidential couple began their visit in the Micronova building, where Ilkka Niemelä, President of Aalto University, welcomed the delegation. The group also greeted Pekka Tiitinen, Board of the Chair at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.

Ilkka Niemelä presented Finland's first quantum computer, Lumi, which is co-developed by VTT and the IQM Quantum Computers company. Mikko Möttönen, Professor at Aalto University and VTT, discussed the advancements in quantum computing in his remarks.

At Micronova, Ilkka Niemelä and Joachim Mathiesen, Head of the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen, signed a letter of intent to intensify their mutual research collaboration in the field of quantum science and technology. The event was also attended by Tauno Vähä-Heikkilä, Vice President of Microtechnology and Quantum Technology at VTT, and Mikko Välimäki, co-CEO of IQM Quantum Computers.

Space technology and ice research showcased during the visit

During the visit, the Royal and Presidential couple were also introduced to space technology, presented to them by Jaan Praks, Professor of Space Technology at Aalto University, and Rafal Modrzewski, CEO at ICEYE satellite company.

The third point of interest was Aalto Ice and Wave Tank, which is the largest of its kind in the world. Laboratory Manager Otto Puolakka demonstrated testing ships and other maritime structures in ice conditions. Current research projects include, for example, offshore wind construction in the Arctic marine areas.

At the end of the visit, the Royal and Presidential couple met with two Danish students of Aalto University.