President Ilkka Niemelä to alumni: 'At Aalto, we dare to dream - and we dare to do'
These were the moments I also got to experience as we Aalto University alumni returned to campus on October 25. Many generations were represented – from the engineering students of the 1950s to the master’s graduates in the arts of the 2020s.
The atmosphere was both expectant and nostalgic as we climbed the stairs toward Dipoli’s main hall. There, President Ilkka Niemelä warmly welcomed everyone back to campus.
'The development of Aalto has always been driven by people coming together. The desire to do something greater than what any single voice can achieve is what unites us. When you look at today’s Otaniemi, you see all three of our fields – art and design, business, and science and technology – working together. Can a university change the world? Absolutely', said Niemelä.
Aalto was founded 15 years ago. During that time, the campus has grown into a world-class innovation hub, and Aalto is one of the most international universities. Aalto educates changemakers and builders of a sustainable future.
Juhani Ahvenainen, a graduate of the former Helsinki University of Technology, recalled the early days of Aalto:
'At first, I felt a bit wistful when the old school merged inÉ«É«À². But as I followed Aalto's development, I realized how great a solution it was. Multidisciplinarity is an enormous strength, and it’s wonderful to see how today’s students can draw from such a wide variety of disciplines.'
May Days and lost engineering student caps
My own path led me to study electrical engineering in Otaniemi in 1983. Freshman friends became a close-knit group – puzzling over circuits and networks, attending freshman parties, working through exercises, and eating spaghetti every Wednesday at Täffä. The freshman year culminated on May Day morning, when after a night of pranks and the freshman baptism, we earned the right to wear the traditional engineering student cap.
Studying in Otaniemi gave me not only lectures and lab work but also lifelong lessons and friendships that have carried me far.
Vesa Helkkula also reminisced about his engineering student years in the 1980s: 'My best memories are from May Day, selling the student magazines Julkku and ıè²â. One May Day, my cap got swapped with someone else’s – and it only returned a year later. I still don’t know who it belonged to!' Helkkula graduated with a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management in 1983 and soon continued to MBA studies, leading to a long career in management and entrepreneurship.
Pirjo Tiainen, who graduated with a Master of Science in Wood Processing Technology in 1985, returned to campus eager to see what Aalto is like today: 'The campus has changed tremendously, and it’s great to see how it has developed and become international. Aalto gave me a solid foundation and a systematic way to solve problems – and it’s also where I met my husband! Our son has also graduated from Aalto.'
A fertile ground for innovation
Mirja Heiskari began her studies at the School of Business on Runeberginkatu in 1977, and the HKK77 group still gathers every year. Her studies led her to an interesting career in management positions and board work. Later, she returned to the same familiar building for Aalto EE studies.
'It's wonderful that technology, art and business meet at Aalto. It responds to the need in working life to think and act across borders. Innovations are born at interfaces', Heiskari described.
Pirkko Taskinen also praised Aalto’s diverse educational offering. Alongside her work, she has completed several executive and leadership programs that she describes as life-changing experiences.
Learning continues throughout life
Jussi-Pekka Erkkola completed his basic studies at the University of Art and Design in Arabia in the 2000s.
'Aalto has strengthened in me, above all, curiosity – the desire to learn and stay current. I’ve continued my studies at Aalto EE, and today the Aalto EMBA alumni network is also gathering', said Erkkola, who enjoyed reconnecting with fellow students and colleagues during the day.
Throughout the day, alumni reflected with top experts on topics such as the future of innovation, next-generation leadership, the energy transition, and the opportunities of multipurpose technologies.
Philosopher and emeritus professor Esa Saarinen’s talk on the idea of improvement, being alongside one another, and broadening of thinking ended with a standing applause from the audience.
Alumnus of the Year helps students take flight
The School of Engineering’s alum of the Year, Mika Viljanmaa, Senior Development Manager at Valmet Technologies Oy, graduated from Otaniemi in 1997 – but as he says, 'Although I left Otaniemi, Otaniemi never left me.'
'When you need good master’s thesis students, Aalto always delivers. In my free time, I offer a different perspective by teaching people to fly at the Polytechnics’ Aviation Club. It’s great to meet young people, you always learn something new from them', Viljanmaa said.
It feels natural to give back to the university
Chemical Engineering graduate Esa Arola is another example of how the Aalto journey continues after graduation. As a research engineer at Borealis, he eagerly participates in Aalto’s career events and course projects.
'It always feels like coming home when I arrive in Otaniemi. I’ve received so much from the Aalto community that it feels natural and rewarding to give back – through time, expertise, and donations. Above all, it’s a mutual exchange of giving and learning.'
President Ilkka Niemelä reminded us that donating to the university is an investment in the future – and in ideas that have yet to be imagined.
'Let’s invest together in a future we can be proud of', Niemelä encouraged.
The wonderful day concluded with an evening celebration, where we enjoyed each other’s company, danced to the tunes of Boston Promenade, and watched brilliant films made by students. The walls around were the same as they used to be at student parties back then. As we left for home, our hearts were filled with warmth, nostalgia, and gratitude.
It’s truly great to be an Aalto alum.
Text: Marjukka Puolakka
Aalto University
Aalto University
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