Dean’s Circle brought together influential societal actors

Aalto University’s close partners and donors gathered at the School of Business to hear about and discuss Global Business Dynamics. The theme was approached from a wide societal perspective to the experiences of an individual entrepreneur.

- We must have the courage to make difficult decisions, Rajeev Suri explained.

The main speaker of the event was President and CEO of Nokia, Rajeev Suri. He shared his views on the future of Nokia, digitalization and the context in which the company sees itself in ten years’ time. In his commentary speech, Professor of Practice Pekka Mattila linked the themes presented by Suri to the focus areas of Aalto University.

The global business environment from a societal point of view was described by Professor of Practice Sixten Korkman and Executive in Residence Esko Aho. Aho urged everyone in the audience to think about whether their firm is doing everything to take into account the changes brought forth by digitalization.

The perspective of the entrepreneur to global business dynamics was provided by CEO Tiina Zilliacus, and an introduction to entrepreneurship within Aalto University by Angel Investor Riku Asikainen and Professor Teemu Kautonen.

- As University we wish to continue our work on behalf of a stronger and more competitive society by further developing our high-level teaching, research and societal contribution, the Dean of the School of Business described.

The host of the event, Dean Ingmar Björkman presented the latest developments of the Business School in teaching, research and societal contribution. He also thanked the Association of Economics Students in Helsinki (KY) for supporting Aalto University’s fundraising campaign. Just before the event, KY opened a crowdfunding website kydonate.fi for collecting donations to the field of business and economics at Aalto University.

Student Ilja Tauber presented a company project made for KONE to Timo Pantsari and Paula Salovaara.

The program ended with student representatives from each department presenting different kinds of company projects they had worked on to the guests.

The event was held on 25 November. The Dean’s Circle events, organized in turn by each School of Aalto University, provide a forum for dialogue between the university and its collaborators and donors.

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Information on Aalto University’s Fundraising Campaign