Basic research bolsters high standard applications

“The creation of brilliant technological applications is only possible if they are based on solid basic research. Finland must ensure a top standard of research, an interdisciplinary approach, and the usability of innovations. There must be an emphasis on applied research, but not at the expense of basic research,” states Ainomaija Haarla, President and CEO of Technology Academy Finland.

Haarla believes that research groups should be formed in a more heterogeneous fashion, since true innovations often develop through the merger of different approaches. It is the well-managed research group that has a clear objective that ends up getting results.

Scarce resources utilised to full capacity

Haarla does not see any confrontation between business and high-standard research within the engineering fields. Matters are generally approached from a practical standpoint, and she emphasises the fact that Finland has a long tradition of effective collaboration between universities and businesses.

“Technology Academy Finland is a concrete link between business, the world of academics and the Government. Our aim is to improve the common understanding between these three parties. From a global perspective, Finland has relatively scarce resources, so co-operation is key to achieving better results.”

World wellness

The most important aim of Technology Academy Finland is to support the development of those technological applications that improve the well-being of human life on the global scale. Every second year, Technology Academy Finland awards a Millennium Technology Prize worth one million euro. This year, the recipient of the Prize was Professor Michael Grätzel from Switzerland in recognition of his development of dye-sensitised solar cells (DSC technology).

“The Prize is already quite well known within worldwide science and research circles, and the International Selection Committee includes top scholars from a variety of fields. The awarding of this esteemed Prize transmits an image of Finland as a nation that values and takes full advantage of technology.”

According to Haarla, Finland has always had a low threshold in terms of the integration of applications that enhance our everyday lives. Here, the path to technological development is not obstructed by any hierarchical obstacles.

“The Prize further promotes the placement of researchers from different technological fields into research work all around the world, while also increasing Finland’s pull and supporting networking. The establishment of personal contacts is extremely important.”

Finnish expertise plays its part

Haarla states that it is not sensible to compare the Nobel Prize and Millennium Technology Prize, since the Nobel Prize is often awarded for lifetime achievements. The Millennium Prize focuses, however, on single applications that are based on a solid scientific foundation and have the potential to be developed into a more expansive innovation in the future.

“The round of nominations for the Prize for summer 2012 will begin in January. Anyone can name someone other than themselves for recognition of an innovation in any area of technology as long as the innovation in question bears a life-enhancing quality. The nomination guidelines are found on our website. We would also like to see Finnish innovations enter the competition,” Haarla encourages. “The first contacts from Finland have already been submitted,” says Haarla with satisfaction.

The Academy of Finland is involved as an expert in the pre-selection phase for the Millennium Technology Prize. The FiDiPro professor exchange is also an integral form of co-operation.

“Professors play the role of messengers on behalf of our work. The Academy of Finland serves as a genuine link between our basic research and the world at large. Our common mission is also to attract international resources to Finland,” Haarla adds. 

Straightforward brand work

The report recently published by the Country Brand Working Group in Finland sparked Haarla’s interest, since the working group’s views quite accurately echoed the mission of Technology Academy Finland and the common image of Finland. She felt that the report was highly straightforward and Finnish in nature. It did not offer any notable surprises in terms of its content. The functionality of the Finnish society, everyday creativity, solution-oriented approaches and pure nature are already familiar themes for Finns.

“The report was compiled in a new manner, however, in that important target groups were clearly identified and assigned specific tasks. In terms of Technology Academy Finland, solution-oriented approaches represent the most intriguing theme, as this area draws on some common interests. As for the tasks assigned in the report, I found myself wondering who is going to ensure the practical implementation of these tasks,” Haarla states. 

Inspiring youth

As we look toward the future, it is evermore important for us to inspire young people to become interested in the sciences and, in particular, mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology. For the first time last summer, Technology Academy Finland co-operated with the LUMA Centre to organise an international Millennium Youth Camp (MY Camp) for young people aged 16-19. Several hundred applications for the camp were expected, but much to the organisers’ surprise, they received nearly one thousand applications. The number of applications for next year’s camp was even greater, totalling approximately 1,500 applications from one hundred different countries.  After a tight round of eliminations, altogether 30 highly-gifted youth were selected for the camp.

“The aim of MY Camp is to increase the interest of young people in mathematics and the natural sciences and, at the same time, increase awareness of the work and educational opportunities in these fields in Finland. Finnish companies have enthusiastically joined in the organisation of the youth camp.

Following the first camp, Technology Academy Finland received many enquiries about opportunities to study in English in Finland.

“We are an interesting country from a global perspective and we offer a great deal of advanced expertise. The camp offers a chance for young people, the co-operating companies and top scholars and scientists to make connections. Some of the MY Camp participants stated that the camp was the first place where they felt they belonged. That feedback alone tells us that there is a definite need for this type of camp. It appears to be an effective means of supporting young talent,” notes Haarla.