The campaign will kick off on 7 January with a stunt when the letters ‘A’ of well-known light signs in Helsinki and Espoo will appear with an exclamation mark – as a sign of change – to indicate Aalto’s impact on society. For example, the sign at the main railway station will change to ‘R A! U T A T I E A S E M A’. Photo: Mikko Hakkarainen
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Aalto University has unveiled a €30 million fundraising campaign as part of its 15th-anniversary celebrations. The campaign, titled “A! Sign of Change,” aims to secure 1,500 donors over the next two years to support high-quality education, cutting-edge research, and innovation that promotes Finland’s success and sustainability.
President Ilkka Niemelä emphasised the critical role of donations in enabling the university to meet growing demands in education and research.
“Our fashion students have conquered the world, and we conduct top-notch research in dozens of fields, from quantum technology to artificial intelligence and biomaterials. Donations will allow us to shape a more sustainable future and enhance Finland’s overall success,” Niemelä said.
Finland has fallen behind peer nations in the proportion of young graduates from higher education, which could hinder the country’s long-term innovation potential. The campaign aims to address this issue by fostering high-quality research, supporting entrepreneurial ventures, and attracting international talent.
Sari Baldauf, Chair of the Fundraising Campaign Committee, highlighted the significance of Aalto’s work for Finland’s economic competitiveness. “Innovations, sustainable development solutions, and creative collaboration across sectors are vital for growth,” Baldauf stated.
Government funding for Aalto University has decreased by one-third in real terms since 2010 and now constitutes only 54% of its total budget. Other funding
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
