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This is the fourth time the prize for the best thesis on the service sector has been awarded at Aalto University.  The award takes into account the overall quality of the thesis, its scientific and practical significance and how it reflects Aalto’s values.

‘The particular strength of my work was its cross-disciplinary approach,’ is how Krista Palmu describes her own work which focussed on service design. The work was done as part of the international Service Design and Engineering Master’s Programme at the Department of Information and Computer Science in Aalto University’s School of Science.

‘Krista Palmu is an excellent example of Aalto’s and the whole service sector’s cross-disciplinary approach as one of the first students to graduate from the SDE programme. She took her basic studies at the Aalto University School of Business. The cross-disciplinary approach shows clearly in her thesis,’ complimented Aalto Service Factory’s Mikko Heiskala.

Aalto Service Factory created the award in conjunction with IBM. The company awards its Best Student Recognition diploma to the winner and also takes them on a trip to the IBM European Best Student Recognition events which are organised in different European cities. Jyrki Koskinen, who is responsible for IBM’s university and external relations, regards supporting talented students and understanding the significance of services as an important issue.

‘The world is moving towards services; over 70 per cent of Finnish work is in service sector jobs.  Service mindedness is critical for the development of a company’s competitive advantage and for building up national wellbeing, and not just in the service sector.  Service mindedness and value-added are central issues, whether it is a question of service platforms for agriculture and food, or industrial products or the public sector and even health care,’ he explains.

Friends around Europe

This year IBM’s European Best Student Recognition event was held in Prague. The three-day event included socialising and dining with experts from different sectors, demonstration workshops by the local IBM branch and participation in them, a treasure hunt in the city of Prague as well as inspirational brainstorming and innovating in working groups. The lectures and speeches concentrated on the opportunities provided by the cloud and mobile services as well as the use of analytics and social media in business.

‘The most valuable part of the trip was meeting new people who shared the same interests and experts in my field in an international business environment. As well as knowledge and skills, the trip has given me friends across Europe,’ enthused Krista.

Photo: HÃ¥kan MItts