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Tampere University’s Advisory Board for Relations with Working Life toured research facilities

Published on 24.11.2021
Tampere University
Joukko ihmisiä FastLabin tiloissa
Tampere University’s Advisory Board for Relations with Working Life visited FabLab at Hervanta Campus. Photo: Jonne Renvall
Tampere University’s Advisory Board for Relations with Working Life convened on 22 November. The Advisory Board is due to take a tour of all the three campuses of the University, and this time they visited the Hervanta campus. President Mari Walls gave the Advisory Board an overview of the University’s latest news and Dean Martti Kauranen led the Advisory Board on a tour of the research facilities of the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences (ENS).

In her presentation, President Mari Walls brought up the Centres of Excellence and Finnish Flagships coordinated by Tampere University, including the Centre of Excellence on Tax Systems Research that has recently received CoE status from the Academy of Finland. In addition, President Walls introduced the Advisory Board to the activities of the Tampere Institute for Advanced Study, which was launched in August 2021. The plans to increase the number of study places in Finnish universities and whether current degrees provide students with the skills they will need in the future were some of the topics that stirred up lively discussion.

The Advisory Board was also brought up to date on the plans for developing the University’s facilities and the recently concluded cooperation negotiations concerning centralised support staff. Both the ten-year campus development programme and the reorganisation of support functions are carried out to not only secure and strengthen the resources allocated to the University’s core functions of research and education but also to support the activities of the faculties. The Covid-19 pandemic has especially increased the workload of teaching staff, which is a challenge that must be addressed. The planned increase in the number of study places and consequent increase in enrolment rates will also require the faculties to increasingly invest in teaching. The changes that are now being planned will enable the University to allocate more resources to the faculties.

One of the topics raised by the Advisory Board was the need to attract more international students to Finland and enhance their employment opportunities.

Professor of Practice Elli Aaltonen gave a presentation where she highlighted the importance of the University’s strategy and its impact and interactions with the broader society.

The Advisory Board for Relations with Working Life was established to support the building of employer relationships and bridge the gap between University and the world of work. The members are stakeholders from the private and public sectors who are committed to contributing to the development of Tampere University, both personally and through their professional networks.

Tampere University’s Advisory Board for Relations with Working Life

Chairpersons

Rauno Ihalainen, Sairaalaneuvos (Finnish honorary title) 
Ari Kaperi Nordea 

Members

Leena Aalto, Koja-Yhtiöt
Antti Kaunonen, Cargotec Kalmar
Antti Kivelä, Sitra
Kati Korhonen-Yrjänheikki, Keva
Taru Kuosmanen, City of Tampere
Pentti Kuusela, LähiTapiola
Timur Kärki, Gofore
Sanna Lauslahti, Pharma Industry Finland
Lauri Lyly, City of Tampere
Riku Rokala, CGI
Juha Metsälä, Pohjola Rakennus
Miika Mäkitalo, HappyOrNot
Henry Nieminen, Insta Group
Leena Nyström, Deloitte
Sari Pelli, Pirkanmaan Osuuskauppa
Kari Renko,
The Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command
Heidi Rämö, Municipality of Lempäälä
Hanna Tainio, Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities 
Kai Telanne, Alma-Media
Markku Tervahauta, The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)
Juha Tervala, AGCO Power
Jani Vilenius, Sandvik
Martti Wallin, Patria Aviation
Peer Haataja, Tampere Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Secretaries

Antti Eskelinen, Tampere Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Marja Sutela, Tampere University

Neljä henkilöä seisoo yliopiston päätalon aulassa portailla.
President of Tampere University Mari Walls, chairpersons of Tampere University’s Advisory Board for Relations with Working Life Ari Kaperi from Nordea Finland and Rauno Ihalainen, and Tampere University's provost Jarmo Takala. Photo: Jonne Renvall / Tampere University