Cooperation Highlighted at Turku Baltic Sea Days
The University of Turku presented its diverse research on the Baltic Sea region and strengthened important contacts in the various Baltic Sea events arranged in the beginning of June.
The main venue for the event, Logomo, was bustling with exhibitors.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Archipelago Research Institute at the University of Turku has collected time series for more than 40 years which form a unique research data.
The data can be used to draw conclusions on the changes in the Baltic Sea which suffers from shortage of oxygen.
– As for society, investing on the time series has been a significantly useful choice, stated Minister of the Environment and University of Turku Alumni Ville Niinistö, who spoke in the 50th anniversary seminar of the Archipelago Research Institute.
The University of Turku presented its wide-ranging research on the Baltic Sea in the main venue for the days, Logomo, which gathered together a considerable number of operators from the fields of research, education, business and civic organisations in the Baltic Sea region.
University cooperation in the Baltic Sea region was discussed in the Baltic Sea Forum organised by Centrum Balticum. Director of Centrum Balticum Kari Liuhto is Professor of International Business, specialising in Russia, and Director of the Pan-European Institute at Turku School of Economics.
Professor of Innovative Business Pasi Malinen from the Brahea Centre at the University of Turku reminded everyone at the forum that there will be high expectations for the cooperation.
– Therefore, there is a considerable number of ongoing cooperation projects between the universities in the Baltic Sea region.
As a boost for the business cooperation of the University of Turku, the Brahea Centre at the University of Turku organised a Maritime Cluster Morning at S/S Bore which also served as a starting shot for the University of Turku programme on maritime cluster research, development and innovation.
– As a result, we made a lot of new business contacts. This is an era when companies are looking for new business opportunities, Senior Research Fellow Tapio Karvonen stated.
– There is considerable potential in scientific communities. For us, for instance, it is important to hear about Arctic seafaring and about the development of icebreakers, said Production Manager Jarmo Saramies and Head of Department Niko Rautiainen from Arctech Helsinki Shipyard.
The Baltic Sea research of the university was collected into an informative portal which was presented in Logomo.
University of Turku Alumni Ville Niinistö got to take home the 50th anniversary shirt of the Archipelago Research Institute.
Emeritus professor of Marine Biology at Åbo Akademi University Erkki Leppäkoski (left), Research Director of the Archipelago Research Institute Ilppo Vuorinen, Professor of Marine Biology at Åbo Akademi University Erik Bonsdorff and Station Manager of Seili at the Archipelago Research Institute Jari Hänninen have worked in close cooperation.
European Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn (left) explored the Bio Refine Tech project on developing bio refinery know-how and business by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) which was presented by the Director of the subproject in Turku, Docent of Plant Physiology and Biophysics Esa Tyystjärvi.
Jarmo Saramies (left) and Head of Department for hull building Niko Rautiainen from Arctech Helsinki Shipyard were impressed with the new inventions presented in the Maritime Cluster Morning of the Brahea Centre. Research Assistants Mikko Forsman and Leo Sakari (right) presented virtual glass and the Marin programme, among others.
Text and Photos: University Communications
Translation: Aura Jaakkola