Future challenges, such as an ageing population, climate change, and global markets, require innovative and sustainable solutions as well as new avenues for growth. During the SUOMI UP! event at Think Corner, Minister of Labour Matias Marttinen, university representatives, and members of the business and government sectors will seek out strategies for Finland’s growth.
The main speaker for the evening will be Professor Kirsi Mikkonen, an expert in food technology who has had positive experiences leading international research teams. She advocates for interdisciplinary research problems and will speak on the topic "Food Innovations Emerge Interdisciplinarily."
Mikkonen firmly believes that Finland provides an environment that supports food innovations.
- Finland possesses the courage and creativity to develop new solutions in the food sector while respecting traditions. I have been excited to observe how an Italian came to Finland to research and develop new ideas and established a successful company here, Mikkonen states.
Italian postdoctoral researcher Fabio Valoppi, who was part of Mikkonen's research team, studied and developed oleogels, which are plant oil-based alternatives to solid fats. He recently founded Perfat Technologies Oy, selected as one of Finland's top ten promising startups, which has patented oleogel technology. This technology allows liquid plant oil to be transformed into a product that is functionally comparable to solid fats but healthier and more environmentally friendly through the use of dietary fibre.
In her address, Janna Pietikäinen, the Faculty's Vice-Dean, will present the latest interdisciplinary international master's programmes offered by the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry. These programmes focus on the sustainable use of renewable natural resources, as well as international management and marketing, food exports, and expertise in gastronomy.
The event will also address other key topics for Finland's wellbeing, such as promoting technology and sustainability in the renewable natural resources sector, food business, and the employment of international students in Finland.
- The themes selected for the evening are crucial for ensuring that Finland remains a competitive and attractive country for investment – and for students to come here to study and remain in Finland for work, emphasises Mari Sandell, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry.
The evening will culminate in a panel discussion featuring Pekka Pesonen, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland; Katariina Kemppainen, Senior Vice President, Group R&D at Metsä Group; Santtu Vekkeli, Founder of SuperGround; and Mika Kukkurainen, Partner at Nordic Foodtech VC. The panel will be moderated by Alec Neihum, a journalist with MTV News and an alumnus of the University of Helsinki.
The doors for the SUOMI UP! event will open at 16:30, allowing participants to explore the Faculty's master's programmes. Join us in person, follow the stream online, or watch the event later!