UNICOM+ Thesis Fair & Talent Bridge
Time
Welcome to join the UNICOM+ Thesis Fair and Talent Bridge - Connecting Research, Expertise and Working Life networking day!
The day brings together local organisations with master's degree students, early-career researchers, and doctoral supervisors from the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University. The aim of the day is to build bridges between research and working life by increasing mutual understanding of skills and needs, fostering new collaboration opportunities, and supporting recruitment and talent matching through low-threshold encounters.
The day consists of two event types:
- Thesis Fair for master's students and organisations
- Talent Bridge for early career researchers, doctoral supervisors and organisations
Organisations can participate in both or one of these.
When: April 22, 2026
Thesis Fair at 10:00-12:00
Talent Bridge at 13:00-16:00
Where: Astra, Porthaninkatu 3, 20500 Turku (Åbo Akademi)
Main language: English
PROGRAMME
Thesis Fair for master's students and organisations:
10:00–12:00 Employer Booths & Student Networking
12:00–13:00 Lunch
Talent Bridge for early career researchers, doctoral supervisors and organisations:
12:00–13:00 Lunch
13:00–13:20 Welcome & Opening Remarks
Setting the Scene – Regional Labour Market (Timo Vahtonen, Economic Development Centre of Southwest Finland)
13:20–13:45 Employer Keynote – From University Talent to Professional Expertise
13:45–14:30 Company Introductions – Meet the Employers
14:30–15:00 Panel Discussion – Seeing Talent Differently: What Employers, Researchers and Supervisors Learn from Each Other
15:00–15:10 Coffee Break
15:10–16:00 Networking & Encounters – Meet, Talk, Connect
Closing & Next Steps
For organisations
You have several options to choose from:
- Booth during the Thesis Fair for master's students (preferably at least one idea for a master's thesis collaboration/topic, no obligation to hire)
- Booth during the Talent Bridge for researchers
- Short (5-10 min) presentation during Talent Bridge
- Networking in general (no booth or presentation)
The event is free of charge for companies and other organisations. We provide lunch in the Astra restaurant for all organisation representatives.
Organisation sign up by April 15
The events offer opportunities to:
- meet international and domestic early-career researchers and students
- present your organisation’s thesis opportunities, competence needs or career opportunities
- strengthen your organisation’s visibility within the academic community and among future talent
- network with other employers and university representatives
For Master's degree students
There will be a preparation session on April 10 at 12:30-14:30 to go through e.g. practicalities related to thesis work for an external organisation, how to negotiate with organisations and what to keep in mind when drafting your thesis idea.
More information and registration opening soon
For early career and doctoral researchers
More information and registration opening soon
Career Services (rekry)