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Anne Brunila, Chair of Aalto University Board, described the process of selecting the president, congratulated Ilkka Niemelä and said that he is the right person to take Aalto University to the next level in the future. Brunila also thanked everyone for their tremendous work to build Aalto University. Aalto’s success in university rankings confirms the results: it is in the top 1% of all universities in the world, and in the latest QS ranking it was placed 7th among the world’s young universities, as the best European university.

In his presentation, Ilkka Niemelä said that he wants to share his thoughts on the long-term development of the university with the Aalto community first. He is proud of Aalto’s achievements and its progress towards becoming one of the world’s top universities. He considers one of his key tasks as the President to be securing the prerequisites for the university’s long-term success in an increasingly competitive international environment.

He analysed trends in the university’s operating environment and explained Aalto’s long-term perspectives. According to Niemelä, he has an optimistic view of the future: our combination of disciplines provides a strong competitive advantage, we have a good strategy and the community is doing excellent work. He emphasised the central role of people in the core of our activities: ‘We achieve results through the passionate work of talented people.’

Ilkka Niemelä answered a large number of questions at the end of his presentation. Niemelä also mentioned a few practical matters: Aalto University is looking for a new Provost and Director of Human Resources. Eliisa Lassila is the acting Director of Human Resources and Sakari Heikkilä is the acting Development Manager.

He also informed that the Aalto University Code of Conduct is available .