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The Guild of Automation and Systems Technology granted its 2015 award for excellence in education to Study Coordinator Mika Nupponen. He has worked tirelessly to guarantee the quality of courses offered to students who have IT as a major subject. Additionally, guild members praised Mr Nupponen for always having time to talk matters through one-on-one. Mr Nupponen is the first representative of IT as a major subject to receive the guild's excellence in education award.

‘This is definitely one of the greatest acknowledgements of my career. It is fantastic to hear that students have been satisfied,’ Mr Nupponen rejoices.

At the time of the bachelor's degree reform, it was noted in IT as a major subject that there was a clear need to increase cooperation between major subject studies, the Guild of Automation and Systems Technology and the Communications Engineering Club.

‘I promised to help out, and one visible result of cooperation has been the Linux beginner's course organised for the first time in autumn 2015 , the idea and realisation of which the students are in great part responsible for. For my own part, I helped in the realisation of the course and planning its content, so that the course could be added to those offered by the School of Electrical Engineering.’ 

The Linux beginner's course is designed to specifically support students, who have IT as a major subject, but all Aalto students interested in how to use Linux are welcome to sign up.

Students to be more involved in course planning

A large chunk of Mr Nupponen's work time is spent in study counselling and planning of courses. He speaks a great deal about student associations and other field-specific activities that students can take part in during their studies. These activities encourage students to have a hobby and learn outside of their place of study.

‘Student associations and student sauna evenings are the best places to meet people and develop cooperation. Students have an abundance of ideas on teaching, as the Linux beginner's course demonstrates. There was no course like this in the curriculum, but members of the student association noticed the demand and we as staff did our part to make this happen.’

The most memorable moments, Mr Nupponen says are those when students, who have previously had difficulties with their studies, have stopped by his office and said that they are due to graduate with the next group.

‘I sincerely hope that students remember to ask for help, if they are experiencing challenges in the completion or planning of their studies. We are here for them and are happy to help.’