ɫɫÀ²

News

Pentti Kujala, the grand old man of marine technology, gave his farewell lecture in a full hall

Following a career of over 40 years in marine technology companies, Helsinki University of Technology and Aalto University, Professor Pentti Kujala has left teaching and research duties and moved on to a position as Senior Advisor at Aalto University. At his farewell celebration, Kujala gave an account of his colourful career that began in Somero and the friendships that formed the basis of a wide-ranging stakeholder network. The scene at the farewell lecture was a crowded one.
Pentti Kujala's farewell lecture 2022
Photos: Pauli Leino, Aalto University

Pentti Kujala

Pentti Kujala has an extensive career as a professor of marine technology at the Helsinki University of Technology and the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Aalto University. He has more than 40 years of experience in the study of marine structures and vessels used in open water and ice conditions. His main research areas are risk analyses of marine operations in both open water and ice conditions and the development of innovative structural solutions for different types of vessels. His research has focused on the full scale measurements of ice induced loads, the analysis of ice load statistics, the simulation of ship performance on ice, the development of advanced structural solutions for ships and system-level safety of maritime traffic.

Pentti Kujala has served as leader of the Marine and Arctic Technology Research Group. He has also led the Arctic Maritime Operations and Maritime Excellence Research Unit (CEARCTIC). Prior ɫɫÀ² University, Kujala worked, among other things for Lloyd's Register of Shipping in London, VTT and Aker Yards. 

During 2017–2021 he served as the vice dean for impact and innovation activities of the School of Engineering.

In 2020, the European Transport Research Board awarded Kujala the TRAVISIONS Award (TRA) for his work to improve the safety of ships in the Baltic Sea and the Arctic. The projects and work led by Kujala have had a significant impact on the safety of shipping in the icy seas.

He has been involved in a number of research projects funded by the European Commission, the Lloyd's Register Foundation and various countries, among others. The scientific impact of Kujala is described in his approximately 200 publications and 5000 citations. Thanks to Kujala's research work, POLARIS risk management system has been introduced for the planning of voyages to the Arctic. 

  • Updated:
  • Published:
Share
URL copied!

Read more news

Three young people take a selfie on a sunny city viewpoint, with rooftops and trees stretching behind them.
Cooperation, Studies, University Published:

Student exchange in Europe? Unite! can take you there

Aalto is a member of Unite!, a European university alliance that gives students the opportunity to internationalise their degrees both online and in-person. Join the webinar to find out more.
Euroopan unionin osarahoittama
Cooperation, Studies Published:

Opinion: Finnish language learning should be integrated into degree programs

In this opinion piece, Rebekka Nylund, an expert at the University of Helsinki, and Elisa Räsänen, a university lecturer at Aalto University, reflect on what they have learned from the EU-co-funded Language-supported Knowledge Pathways project and offer suggestions on how and why learning Finnish could be integrated into the structures of higher education degree programs.
Winners on stage for the EAA best student paper award
Awards and Recognition, Research & Art Published:

EAA Best Paper and Presentation Award for Young Researchers for postdoctoral researcher Thomas Deppisch

The awarded work shows how speech can be made clearer in noisy environments while still preserving directional cues
Project team for Alma Media
Cooperation, Studies Published:

What job seeking looks like in the age of AI?

Aalto students map the future for Alma Career