Strategic partnership is a long-term commitment
![Aalto Vision Forum](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/1_6_567w_354h_n/public/2019-05/aalto_vision_forum_22052019_photo_by_lasse_lecklin_005.jpg?h=41f55a5b&itok=-0JZpK0N)
A strategic corporate partnership is a mutual, long-term commitment and investment in cooperation between Aalto University and a company in creating solutions for a sustainable future.
Through cooperation, our strategic partners have an insight into the latest knowledge and research in their fields. They may be able to discover emerging, potentially disruptive technologies for strengthening an existing business or developing new business ideas. A partnership enables a continuous dialogue with Aalto’s researchers and students, the future talents of different industries.
Strategic partners play an important role in developing the quality of Aalto’s research and education. Partnerships provide us with valuable insights into the business sector, its expertise and needs for talent and innovation. Through cooperation with companies, we can better develop our operations to meet the future requirements of business.
Read about our strategic corporate partnerships
Strategic corporate partner ABB
Aalto University and ABB cooperate in many different areas, and all six Aalto schools are involved. The cooperation has continued for more than 130 years.
![Students presenting their project work in electronics](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/1_120w_120h_d/public/2024-02/Project_Work_course_Final_Gala_Automation_and_Electrical%20Engineering_Teemu_Ullgren_29.jpg?h=deeb9aa6&itok=bc6kFumQ)
Strategic corporate partner Neste
In collaboration, Aalto University and Neste strive to find solutions to major global challenges by combining high-level research with leading industrial expertise.
![Chemical engineering laboratory](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/1_120w_120h_d/public/2021-02/Epaorgaanisen_labrat021.jpg?h=41f55a5b&itok=m4haEilB)
Strategic corporate partner Nokia
Nokia has been an important partner for Aalto University and its predecessor universities for decades. There are currently close to 20 ongoing research collaboration projects.
![Students working together in front of Nokia flags, photo by Abigail Garbett](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/1_120w_120h_d/public/2018-11/2018_creativeteamwork_garbett28.jpg?h=7686d427&itok=H8tUZI4F)
Strategic corporate partner Saab
Saab's long-term commitment to cooperation provides good conditions for scientific breakthroughs and the creation of new innovations.
![Saab Aalto Research Day 2019](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/1_120w_120h_d/public/2020-07/research_day_2019.jpg?h=05622c50&itok=Ok06arBm)
Cutting-edge expertise
Research projects with our strategic partners require cutting-edge expertise, taking advantage of Aalto’s multidisciplinary approach. The research collaboration can involve professors and postdoctoral researchers as well as doctoral and master's students from different fields at Aalto. Learn more about Aalto's key research areas here.
Each strategic partnership has a steering group that meets a few times annually. Also, the top management at Aalto and the company meet yearly to discuss the collaboration and its future development. Strategic partnerships are coordinated by Aalto’s key account managers from the corporate relations team.
Creating impact together
In 2020, Aalto was ranked 23rd in the World University Research Ranking (WURR), emphasizing collaboration. The ranking aims to recognise universities with impactful collaboration to tackle major global challenges emphasizing multidisciplinary and collaborative research. Read more about Aalto's rankings here.
Strategic cooperation provides unique conditions for scientific breakthroughs and innovation. Together with our partners, we join forces in multidisciplinary research projects for developing sustainable solutions for business.
Educational cooperation includes master's thesis projects and study project courses solving real-life business challenges. Business-funded doctoral and master’s theses have also proven to be an effective way of recruiting future talents to companies.
The partnership with ABB is a good example of a prosperous long-term collaboration that involves all six schools of the university. Our students complete about five doctoral degrees, four bachelor's degrees and 35–40 master's theses for ABB each year. Over the years, numerous patents have also been secured.
Micael Johansson, President and CEO, SaabBy working with Aalto, we have achieved excellent research results that benefit both parties
News about collaboration
Introducing four new professors at the School of Engineering
Professors of Practice Hannele Holttinen and Teemu Manderbacka and Assistant Professors Mikko Suominen and Risto Ojala were appointed to the career path of professors during January-June 2024.![A logo. Photo: Mikko Raskinen](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/2_3_288w_125h_d/public/2020-08/a-logo_around_campus_12-6-2020_photo_mikko_raskinen_013.jpg?h=41f55a5b&itok=Q_NEKwv0)
Introducing three new professors at the School of Electrical Engineering
Assistant Professors Gopika Premsankar and Johannes Arend and Associate Professor (tenured) Marko Kosunen were appointed to the career path of professors during January-June 2024.![A group of students and mentors visiting Murata office.](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/2_3_288w_125h_d/public/2024-06/Aalto-International-Talent-at-Murata-2024_F-scaled.jpg?h=6ef966d0&itok=x0BJV3_D)
Murata mentors international students in the International Talent Program
The Aalto International Talent Program brings together international students and companies. Murata has been involved since 2021 mentoring over 60 international students.![Senni Heimala](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/2_3_288w_125h_d/public/2024-06/Senni-Heimala_01.jpg?h=074a1bd2&itok=jTBX4TEH)
Doctoral research seeks textile dyes from nature and bioproduction side streams
Aalto University and the Natural Resources Institute Finland are developing bio-based textile dyes.Want to know more? Contact our key account managers:
![ABB: Anne Kosola](https://www.aalto.fi/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/1_120w_120h_d/public/2023-02/Kosola_Anne_new.jpg?h=d94c4b90&itok=4HFDHwoa)
![Neste: Petri Silenius](https://www.aalto.fi/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/1_120w_120h_d/public/2020-07/ps.jpg?h=c16d0605&itok=cVNqkL65)
![Nokia and Saab: Susanna Jaarmo](https://www.aalto.fi/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/1_120w_120h_d/public/2020-07/sj.jpg?h=8080d1e7&itok=Lb_SKjW_)