Aalto University Stories

Aalto University Stories

Otaniemi stories present people in Otaniemi. A photographer takes photos and interviews briefly people he comes across on the campus. Follow the stories with a hashtag #otaniemistories on Aalto University's Instagram (@aaltouniversity) and Facebook. Please use the same hashtag when sharing your own story.
 
Photos and texts: Aalto University / Aki-Pekka Sinikoski

Three students sitting next to a wooden table, and studying. Two of them have laptops in front of them. Photo: Unto Rautio
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Iiris Takanen, kauppatieteiden opiskelija / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Iiris Takanen

When I found out I was accepted to study at Aalto, it was such a big deal for me, that I fell on the floor and could not help but cry.

Campus
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Aino Niinivirta, ympäristötekniikan opiskelija, Lappeenrannan teknillinen yliopisto / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Aino Niinivirta

Students from other universities visiting Otaniemi also enjoy being here. Our days have been filled with trips and corporate visits. During the evenings, we have also had free time.

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Jessica Sinikoski_Aalto-yliopisto_Mikko Raskinen

Jessica Sinikoski, Communications Manager

Traditions are respected at Aalto, but the university still does things boldly in its own way, creating something genuinely new and different.

Careers at Aalto
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Katariina Kasvinen, opiskelija, Rakennetun ympäristön laitos / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Katariina Kasvinen

My boyfriend and I applied for Aalto University together, and both of us got accepted. We even got a shared flat in Otaniemi this week.

Campus
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Risto Maijala, tilavastaava, Harald Herlin -oppimiskeskus / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Risto Maijala

The Learning Centre’s renovation was launched as a service design project in which we charted the wishes and opinions of our clients. My New Year’s resolution is that the Learning Centre will never be so finished that we’ll stop listening to our clients’ wishes.

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Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Anna Brchisky, Head of Marketing & Comms, Junction / kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Anna Brchisky

I’ve been involved in the Junction hackathon for the last three years. It has become much more than just a job for me. However, my New Year’s resolution is to take a leap into the unknown and vacate my spot for a fresh pair of hands.

Advancing entrepreneurship and innovations
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Noora Vänttinen, AYY:n hallituksen puheenjohtaja 2018 / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Noora Vänttinen

My New Year’s resolution is that the Student Union will institute various measures in 2018 to promote the wellbeing of our whole community in cooperation with the university.

Campus
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Nita Vera, valokuvataiteen opiskelija / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Nita Vera

My New Year’s resolution is to work less this year. Keeping my resolution will not be easy.

Campus
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Robert Salvén, digitaalinen kommunikaatio / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Robert Salvén

I came to Aalto University to steer the great digital reform. It’s nice to be in charge of a project that will make the lives of all of us here easier.

Aalto University
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Anu Morikawa, Aalto-pappi / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Anu Morikawa

People can come talk to us, Aalto chaplains, irrespective of their religion or beliefs. We’re not here to proclaim, but to listen and assist.

Campus
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Kalle Kataila, asiantuntija, videot ja media opetuksessa / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Kalle Kataila

I’m involved in developing a solution that will help transform some teaching into a form more suitable for the video generation. A large part of basic teaching should, in my opinion, fit into a student’s pocket and be accessible 24/7.

Campus
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Iida Palosuo, muotoilun opiskelija, Co-director of DASH / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Iida Palosuo

It has been so great to be a part of organising DASH, Europe’s biggest hackathon, which sort of blows up any existing sandboxes and aims to come up with even the craziest ideas that might not emerge in normal situations.

Advancing entrepreneurship and innovations
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Salla Rantamäki, IDBM-opiskelija / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Salla Rantamäki

I originally studied materials technology, but it was only after starting my working life that I realised what I really wanted to do for a living. I returned here to study in the Master’s Programme in International Design Business Management (IDBM).

Campus
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Alexandra Kozlova, kauppatieteiden opiskelija / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Alexandra Kozlova

When I arrived in Otaniemi, my world view was neatly divided into clear boxes and frames. Now, I try to take things as they come without forcing them into strict frames or categorising.

Campus
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Anna Rekola, Design Factory, työharjoittelija / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Anna Rekola

I have now taken part in Technology Academy Finland's internship programme at the Design Factory. During my internship I have been included in a working group where we have thought up ways in which to make this place even better.

Campus
Aalto University, Otaniemi stories: Idil Nazli Akture, student of Chemical Engineering / photographer: Sinikoski

Idil Nazli Akture

I just heard I got a job at Pöyry Management Consulting. I will be part of a new team tackling new concepts rather than doing things the old way.

Campus
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Pravin Luthada, Aalto-yliopiston alumni, Projektipäällikkö, Addcomposites / kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Pravin Luthada

To make composites manufacturing more accessible, Addcomposites has found a way to fully automate the process for small objects. Our technology is already patented, and we are currently testing the solution in real-life cases.

Advancing entrepreneurship and innovations
Aalto University, Otaniemi stories: Xiaoyu Ji, student of Design / Photographer: Sinikoski

Xiaoyu Ji

I’m taking part in this course where we are experimenting and exploring with materials and doing an exhibition for Finavia at the Helsinki airport.

Campus
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Henri Turto, maanmittauksen opiskelija / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Henri Turto

I have enjoyed being in Otaniemi so much that I have been here for quite some time. My father has said for years already that the metro comes to Otaniemi before I leave.

Campus
Aalto University, Otaniemi stories: Farah Salah, Communications Engineering student / Photographer: Sinikoski

Farah Salah

The darkness is not easy to combat, but I’ve learned that walking outside for at least 20 minutes every day while it’s still light out does wonders.

Campus
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Aleksi Hämäläinen, tietotekniikan opiskelija / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Aleksi Hämäläinen

We had lost our rental flat at the end of spring, so we decided to spend the summer in China – because it is cheaper to live there. We started to study how machine learning could be utilised in the field of robotics.

Campus
Aalto University, Otaniemi stories: Anna Kholina, doctoral student in Design / photographer: Sinikoski

Anna Kholina

We are organising the hackathon where students find ideas and solutions for how to build the new Aalto Studios so it can become the media center of the future.

Campus
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Ari-Pekka Härkönen, tietotekniikan opiskelija / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Ari-Pekka Härkönen

I almost fell off my chair when I heard I’d made the cut in Startuplifers. In practice, this means that the Startuplifers community will help me find a San Francisco company, which will hire me as an intern.

Advancing entrepreneurship and innovations
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Stella Tuovinen, Informaatioverkostojen opiskelija, Aaltoes, VP / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Stella Tuovinen

We recently invited 150 high school students to the Startup Sauna. Addressing the attending high schoolers crystallised to myself, too, just how much I’ve learned here, and what studying is really like.

Advancing entrepreneurship and innovations
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Suvi Majander, muotoilun opiskelija, Junction design team lead / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Suvi Majander

At Startup Sauna, people speak freely of their desire to succeed commercially. It has, as a design student, been quite the positive culture shock.

Advancing entrepreneurship and innovations
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Visa Parviainen, bioinformatiikan opiskelija / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Visa Parviainen

We assembled a team and acquired funding to realise Deftify, which originally started from my idea. The point of departure for our project differs from earlier works developed as part of the PDP course.

Advancing entrepreneurship and innovations
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Tuomas Kyllönen, konetekniikan opiskelija / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Tuomas Kyllönen

Our team developed a prototype automated tower crane for Trenox at the PDP course. Our crane enhances construction site safety.

Campus
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Nelli Ahti, kauppatieteiden opiskelija / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Nelli Ahti

This is my first year at the School of Business. It is great that I’m surrounded by people who are motivated to study and interested in the same things as I am.

Campus
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Lauri Paukkunen, konetekniikan opiskelija / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Lauri Paukkunen

For the PDP course, our group made a drone that can move indoors and even take the lift. In the near future, drones could be employed in a security and monitoring capacity, for example.

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Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Säde Rinne, taidekasvatuksen opiskelija / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Säde Rinne

For me, Aalto has been a great place to study. The University has always offered interesting courses.

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Aalto University, Otaniemi stories: D'Angelo-D'Ontace Keyes, participating the PDP course in Otaniemi as a part of his studies at Philadelphia University, USA / Photographer: Sinikoski

D'Angelo-D'Ontace Keyes

Do you read? Then Curiou is made just for you. It’s the digital book buddy our team has created during the PDP course.

Campus
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Topi Kairenius, Fat Lizard / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Topi Kairenius

Otaniemi is wonderfully located and supports a positive can-do atmosphere. That’s why we decided to move the microbrewery me and my pals founded to new premises over here.

Advancing entrepreneurship and innovations
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Mayya Vetchinnikova, 11-vuotias kesälomaileva peruskoululainen Slava Vetchinnikov, tietotekniikan opiskelija / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Mayya Vetchinnikova & Slava Vetchinnikov

Dad’s team built a battery-powered light lifter for Konecranes that can very quickly and handily be ordered to lift all kinds of heavy objects by pushing a button on your mobile. I’m really proud of what my father and his friends have accomplished.

Campus
Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Jenni Inciarte Villaverde, sisustusarkkitehtuurin opiskelija / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Jenni Inciarte Villaverde

I myself feel that crying is part of being human. I wound up painting a portrait of my husband titled Men don’t cry for our Thought = Humanity course.

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Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Laura Remes, elektroniikka- ja sähkötekniikan opiskelija / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Laura Remes

I want to live forever. Recently I’ve been following the stunning progress made in the field of robotic hands, for example.

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Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Laura Meskanen-Kundu, opiskelija, New Media Design and Production / Photographer: Sinikoski

Laura Meskanen-Kundu

The Sensual Mathematics course had our team designing and building a mathematical vine garden. Our mathematical garden rises to a height of almost six metres at the Finnish Science Centre Heureka.

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Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Andreas Lindberg, tohtoriopiskelija, biotuotteiden ja biotekniikan laitos / kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Andreas Lindberg

An inspiring observation from the CHEMARTS courses has been how engineering and design students together familiarise themselves with biomaterials. I’m proud to have the opportunity to participate in the creation of a substrate, which enables Aalto to sprout inventions that are of significance to the environment.

Advancing entrepreneurship and innovations
Aalto University, Otaniemi stories: Elisa Spigai, student of New Media Design, Media Lab / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Elisa Spigai

My starting point was in looking at how to communicate diversity. Working with the visual identity of Aalto Festival was a fun and inspiring way to learn and experiment with new things.

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Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Aleksi Partanen, kone- ja rakennustekniikan opiskelija / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Aleksi Partanen

I’ve been a keen snowboarder ever since I was little, and this has taken me to races all over the world. I considered making this season my last, but competing once more started to feel more attractive after a short break.

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Aalto Repair and Rewear co-founders posing for a photo in their workspace.
Creative Sustainability

Introducing CS Students' Sustainability Initiatives: Aalto Repair and Rewear

Aalto Repair and Rewear is a mending-focused community initiative founded by Thekla Weißkopf and Regina Kazanjian, two Creative Sustainability master’s students. This blog post tells more about Thekla and Regina's (Kaz) motivations for the initiative.
Ramboll's Lead of Regenerative approach is introducing the excursion agenda to Creative Sustainability students in a conference room.
Creative Sustainability

Sustainability in Action: How CS Studies Shape Ramboll’s Regenerative Design Approach

An excursion to Ramboll offered valuable insights into how systems thinking and regenerative design are applied in a company context.
A photo from the panel discussion. Students are sitting in the audience listening to the panelists and host.
Creative Sustainability

Insights from CS x Crust Alumni Panel Discussion on Careers in Sustainability

Four CS alumni share their experiences from working in sustainability.
Chris Aung BScBA student
News

School of Business student story: Chris Aung

Chris, a first-year student at Aalto University Mikkeli campus, is pleasantly surprised by the tight-knit community, comparing it to a high school summer camp. He vividly recounts his fun experiences with the SkiBBA club and enjoys the city of Mikkeli during the spring and summer. Grateful for the diverse international environment, Chris looks forward to gaining valuable knowledge for his future endeavors through the programme. He enthusiastically encourages others to consider applying to Aalto University.
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