IEM Community Days in Himos: Strengthening Community and Honouring Professor Matti Sommarberg
The Industrial Engineering and Management unit held its IEM Community Days in Himos on 21–22 May 2026. The two-day event was organised by Matias Ståhle and Jarmo Uusikartano and brought colleagues together outside the usual university setting to spend time with one another, strengthen community spirit and reflect on the future of the unit.
The event started on Thursday morning, when participants travelled together from Tampere to Himos. After arriving, the group gathered for lunch at Restaurant Liiteri before moving to the joint unit meeting at Meeting Centre Koulu.
The main focus of the afternoon workshop was the IEM community itself. Participants discussed how to make the unit stronger, closer and more connected. The group was divided into three smaller teams, where participants brainstormed ideas and reflected on what supports a good working community. After the group discussions, each team shared its thoughts with everyone. The workshop brought forward several practical ideas on how to support collaboration, interaction and everyday community life within the IEM unit.
After the workshop, participants continued the day with group activities. The programme included different options; an escape room, human foosball and a light-hearted competition activity. These activities gave colleagues a chance to meet each other in a more informal setting and enjoy time together beyond normal work roles.
In the evening, the community gathered for a buffet dinner at Restaurant Liiteri. The dinner also included a special moment to mark the retirement of Matti Sommarberg and to recognize his long-standing contribution to IEM, Tampere University and the wider university–industry community.
During the dinner, Tuomas Ahola, Head of Unit, gave a speech in honour of Sommarberg. Ahola reflected on Sommarberg’s role in strengthening connections between the university, industry and society. He noted Sommarberg’s active contribution to societal interaction through external roles. Ahola also emphasised Sommarberg’s willingness to share his professional networks and support colleagues in building links beyond the university. Ahola also recognised Sommarberg’s contribution to project leadership and collaboration. He described Sommarberg’s ability to work across academic and business environments as one of his key strengths. His work has brought together research teams, industry partners and external stakeholders, supporting the unit’s wider engagement with society and business. The speech also acknowledged Sommarberg’s constructive and collegial attitude during periods of organisational change. Ahola described him as a valued member of the IEM community whose advice, experience and positive approach have supported the unit over the years. The speech ended with warm thanks, a toast and an open invitation for Sommarberg to continue visiting the unit for coffee, seminars and community events.
Following Ahola’s remarks, Matti Sommarberg addressed his colleagues with warmth and humour. He reflected on a career that began in Hervanta and now also comes to a close there. His path included five years of studies, more than three decades in industry and ten years in academia. Sommarberg described his career as one shaped less by detailed plans and more by openness to new opportunities. He said that he had never had a strict career plan, apart from a wish to see the world. That wish was fulfilled through years spent abroad, including in the United States and Sweden. He also shared one of the guiding ideas of his working life: if you do your work well, new opportunities may arise, and the main question is whether you are ready to take them. In his speech, Sommarberg spoke about joining the university as an Industry Professor in 2017 and later serving as Dean during a demanding period of institutional change. This included the university merger, the COVID-19 pandemic and wider global uncertainty. He reflected that many challenges in such periods are, at their core, human concerns. They are connected to how people experience change, uncertainty and new responsibilities. Returning to Hervanta as an Industry Professor was meaningful for Sommarberg. In this later role, he focused on industry-related research collaboration, guest lectures and cooperation with colleagues. He also expressed appreciation for the everyday community around IEM, including conversations in the corridors, coffee moments and informal exchanges with colleagues. Sommarberg said he is leaving the unit at a good moment. He described IEM as being in good shape and, above all, as having a strong community spirit. He thanked colleagues for their role in building that atmosphere and gave special recognition to Ahola’s leadership.
After the dinner, the evening continued informally in the villas. Participants had time for sauna, outdoor hot tubs, games, evening snacks and relaxed socialising. The atmosphere followed the main purpose of the event: spending time together and building stronger connections within the unit.
On Friday morning, the programme continued at a calmer pace. Participants had breakfast together and joined informal optional activities depending on the mood of the morning. The group then gathered for closing remarks before lunch. After lunch, the joint transport departed from Himos and returned to Tampere in the afternoon.
The IEM Community Days offered a meaningful opportunity to pause, meet colleagues and reflect on the unit as a community. The event combined discussion, activities and shared meals. It also gave the community a chance to thank Matti Sommarberg for his valuable contribution and to wish him all the best for his retirement. The IEM community warmly congratulates Matti Sommarberg and thanks him for his long-standing contribution to the university, the unit and its wider networks!
