University of Oulu continued Sustainable Development Week tradition with focus on ICT and 6G

Organised jointly by researchers from the Martti Ahtisaari Institute, Oulu Business School and the Centre for Wireless Communications (CWC), the initiative continued the work of previous years by combining interdisciplinary research with student engagement, critical reflection and responsible technological development in the context of information and communication technologies (ICT).

This year’s stand was organised within the 6G-MUSICAL project, which is co-funded by the European Commission through the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU). It invited students and university staff to explore how digital technologies – from existing ICT systems to emerging 6G and Joint Communication and Sensing (JCAS) innovations – intersect with environmental, social and economic sustainability.

Bringing sustainability into everyday digital life

Building on last year’s event, the 2026 stand particularly highlighted the connections between sustainability and everyday life in an increasingly digital world. Participants were encouraged to reflect on their own use of mobile communications and its environmental impacts, while also considering how digitalisation shapes society and how future 6G systems can be designed responsibly, efficiently and inclusively.

The stand fostered open dialogue and offered students and staff an opportunity to deepen their understanding of both the sustainability challenges and potential benefits associated with ICT.

“Our aim is to keep the sustainability conversation alive – to ensure students and staff remain part of the evolving dialogue on sustainable digital futures,” said Research Director Marja Matinmikko-Blue.

She emphasised that sustainability in 6G is not a temporary topic, but an ongoing process of research, reflection and collaboration.

Interdisciplinary research in the 6G-MUSICAL project

The stand also showcased new insights from the 6G-MUSICAL project, including developments in future 6G systems involving joint communication and sensing technologies from business, technology and regulatory perspectives.

The discussions highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between business and engineering. At the University of Oulu, such collaboration builds on a long tradition of mobile communications research while also demonstrating how academic research can connect with student learning and wider campus awareness.

The Sustainable Development Week stand once again provided a meeting point for research, discussion and responsible innovation, while strengthening collaboration around sustainable digital futures at the University of Oulu.

Text and picture: Oxana Gisca