Aalto University praised by Silicon Valley innovation expert

Innovation university seen as “obelisk visible around the world”

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By Tanja Aitamurto
     
      “Aalto University - what a brilliant idea!”
      “The world’s first innovation university shows that Finland wants to be a leading country of innovation. The Aalto University is an obleisk that can be seen around the world.”
      Curtis Carlson does not hold back his praise when speaking about the Aalto University, which is to be launched next year.
      Carlson is the head of SRI International, a research centre located in California’s Silicon Valley, near Stanford University.
     
SRI, which specialises in innovations, was originally established as a part of Stanford, but later became independent.
      Curtis often tours different countries, advising both states and companies on innovation. He has also worked with the Finnish government. Last autumn he was unexpectedly named to chair the board to choose the recipient of the Nordic Innovation Prize.
     
What is it that makes the Aalto University such a brilliant idea?
      According to Carlson, we have moved into an innovation economy, where ideas and bits are seen as articles of trade. The information economy, in which information was traded, is already yesterday’s news.
      In his opinion, success in the new economy requires the kinds of new skills that the Aalto University teaches.
      Such skills include the ability to engage in multidisciplinary group work and enterprise. It helps students develop innovations either in their own companies, or when working for someone else.
     
As Carlson defines it, innovation is something that brings added value to customers, and profit for a company. “An idea or product is an innovation only if someone uses it and if it is useful.”
      Being innovative is not even difficult in his view.
      “Anyone can do it, as long as someone has the rights skills. When this kind of thinking spreads, someone in Finland will always come up with a new Nokia now and then.”
     
Carlson believes that the Aalto University is just right for helping students internalise the attitude that is needed in an innovation economy.
      “Students learn to see possibilities, instead of seeing problems. They think globally, and not locally. This helps Finland’s competitiveness. Finnish companies usually do not aim at the global market from the very beginning”, Carlson says.
      He notes that Finland is not the only country that wants to be a model of innovation. The ways of building the education of the next generation is under consideration in different parts of the world.
      Carlson feels that the Aalto University is a step in the change in which innovation is implanted in the educational system at all levels, from kindergarten to university.
      He feels that education should establish a bridge between capital investors and universities, in order to bring economic benefit to society from the information created at the universities.
     
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 5.4.2009


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Board of planned Aalto University to convene Friday (13.8.2008)
  Idea of Finnish top university generates heated debate (17.4.2007)

Links:
  Dr. Curtis R. Carlson President and Chief Executive Officer of SRI International
  Aalto University

TANJA AITAMURTO / Helsingin Sanomat