Higher education and competence are vital for Finland’s competitiveness
22.08.2014
The President and CEO of Metsä Group, Kari Jordan, attended today at Aalto University’s School of Business Homecoming Day for alumni.
‘So that Finland is able to get back on its feet, entirely new types of thinking, doing and know-how are required. A good example is bioeconomy, which offers us a tremendous number of opportunities. Competence is also the basis for the establishment of new jobs in Finland,’ Jordan said.
Arranged for the first time today, 22 August, the Homecoming Day event for alumni is targeted to all former students and employees of Aalto University’s School of Business and its predecessor.
A total of 600 people participated in the Leading the Way seminar and other Homecoming Day programme content. During the day, thought and attention were given to how Finnish society could be relaunched to new prosperity and how Finland's competitive edge could be honed and promoted.
The President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö participated in the event. While speaking on competitiveness in Finland, he evaluated the role of the State. Amongst other things he drew attention to the need for responsible public sector management.
Professor of Economics Matti Pohjola inspired panellists Kirsi Piha, Risto Murto, Miki Kuusi and Sixten Korkman to take part in the discussion during the seminar section on the recipe for competitiveness and economic growth. According to Professor Pohjola, the achievement of new growth will require exceptional endeavour and creativity.
‘I’m glad that we have been favoured with the President of the Republic as our guest, together with a house full of influential opinion leaders in Finnish economic life. The purpose is to build this into a recurrent forum for community discussion. Universities enjoy a central role in the discussion concerning the future of Finland and its competitiveness,’ states Ingmar Björkman, Dean of the Aalto University School of Business.
Entrepreneur Riku Asikainen was awarded as Alumni of the Year.