The Rector Reaches Out to Research Units: Research Groups, City, and Industrial Village Highlighted in Nivala

According to Arto Maaninen, the University of Oulu is doing exceptionally well. Last year, a record was achieved in obtaining supplementary funding, with an increase of 29% compared to 2023. Although funding from ministries is declining, Business Finland and the Academy of Finland are receiving more allocation authority. According to the Ministry of Education and Culture's performance indicators, the University of Oulu ranks 3rd-4th among Finnish universities.

Maaninen discussed the university's strategy, which emphasizes that "Our Northern Footprint is Global." The central themes of the strategy include mitigating climate change and ensuring biodiversity, a resilient and safe society, digitalization, artificial intelligence, and data serving humanity, and the health and well-being of individuals. For example, what opportunities does a digital twin for water present?

Pioneering and Societal Impact

Professor and Director Matti Muhos stated that the Kerttu Saalasti Institute of the University of Oulu addresses the university's strategic goals through the research, education, and development activities of the Microentrepreneurship, Regional Excellence, and Future Manufacturing Technologies research groups. Collaboration with stakeholders to produce socially impactful research, expertise, and solutions is central to the institute's work. "We are pioneers in developing and implementing new practices and solutions and in building an entrepreneurial society," said Muhos.

Director of the Regional Excellence (REx) Research Group, Ossi Kotavaara, highlighted research that utilizes mobile phone tracking data to study population mobility, including commuting. At the same time, they are examining what constitutes sustainable mobility. For instance, people commute to work in Nivala from 6-7 neighboring municipalities. Despite population decline in regional areas and growth in Oulu, entrepreneurship remains strong. For example, there are gazelle companies in Kalajoki, Ylivieska, Nivala, Haapajärvi, Sievi, and Reisjärvi. In ten years, business turnover has increased by 50%.

Research Director Martti Saarela from the Microentrepreneurship Center MicroENTRE emphasized that societal and regional impact is a fundamental background factor for all group activities. Research, projects, networks, partnerships, and education all aim at this goal. The research has also gained visibility in the media: more than 40 different media outlets covered the study that found fear of failure prevents women from becoming entrepreneurs. Saarela highlighted resilience and responsibility as current research themes.

Project Manager Jaana Jeminen from the VATUPASSI project stated that entrepreneurs need concrete training to develop their responsibility skills. The training helps them prepare for upcoming EU regulations. The Finnish National Agency for Education has also determined that responsibility is the most important generic skill required in working life. Peer group work and learning by doing have been essential methods in VATUPASSI for acquiring skills. The project's activities have been successful: even though there is still a year left, the objectives have already been achieved ahead of schedule. According to entrepreneurs, the concreteness of the training has been the most valuable aspect.

Research Director Antti Järvenpää from the Future Manufacturing Technologies (FMT) group discussed projects that study, for instance, metal fatigue and 3D-printed implants to replace bones. Cooperation is ongoing, for example, with Costa Rica. All human bones have already been mapped in the study. The FMT group's research areas are extensive, ranging from hydrogen to the construction of rally cars.

Getting to Know the City and the Industrial Village

According to Nivala’s Mayor Päivi Karikumpu, projects and theses are the core of the collaboration between the university and the city. Arto Maaninen encouraged planning a theme day for Nivala at the University of Oulu campuses. Karikumpu noted that Nivala should be presented to young people not only through study opportunities but also through housing and recreational activities. Nivala offers various leisure opportunities, including Snowcross at the Finnish Championship level. City Council Chairman Jarmo Vuolteenaho also emphasized the importance of cooperation between the university and the city.

Development Director Kari Kutuniva from the Nivala Industrial Village led the visitors on a tour of Kurunpuhto, where a significant expansion of Nivala’s industrial activities is underway. Sixty industrial plots have been zoned in the new area, and nearly five kilometers of new roads will be built. At the end of 2023, the city began zoning a new 40-hectare area for a bioplant and other industry operators. The 50-year-old Nivala Industrial Village is one of Finland’s largest and most vibrant industrial villages.

The visitors also visited Champion Door, located in the industrial village, which combines high technology and craftsmanship in fabric lifting doors. CEO Pekka Hosio said that industrial doors are ordered worldwide for warehouses, crane openings, ports, docks, and aircraft hangars. In addition to the factory in Nivala, there are sales offices in Europe, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States. Champion Door has received an order for a 90-meter-high door. Maintenance of the doors is possible worldwide through smart digital solutions.

CEO Toni Krankkala from NIHAK stated that NIHAK collaborates most extensively with the Kerttu Saalasti Institute. For instance, collaboration in VATUPASSI and BIOTUTO has gone exceptionally well. In 2024, Nivala was ranked among the most entrepreneur-friendly municipalities in Finland in the Entrepreneur Barometer, and NIHAK aims to create top-tier business conditions for the future. One way to achieve this is by developing impactful "Invest in" services for municipalities.

See a photo gallery of the visit in this Facebook post.

Text and Photo: Minna Kilpeläinen, Communications Specialist, Kerttu Saalasti Institute, University of Oulu