Student group from Rotterdam visited Oulu Business School as part of UNIC collaboration
The visitors represented high-achieving students from the International Business Administration and Management bachelor’s programmes. They are part of an Honors track focusing on entrepreneurship, innovation, growth, and industrial clusters.
During the visit, the students worked on project assignments developing 6G applications. As an introduction, they attended talks by professors Jaakko Simonen and Petri Ahokangas, as well as by Minna Komu and Timo Alalääkkölä from Oulu Health Labs. Talks were also given by Vice Rector for Education Mirja Illikainen, Honorary Consul of the Netherlands Jouko Niinimäki, and Deputy Head of Mission Lieske de Krijger.
Visits to companies such as Nokia and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland helped the students deepen their understanding of the topic and explore Oulu’s technological expertise. The winning application proposed making European electricity infrastructure more sustainable and reliable through the use of 6G technology.
New encounters and high technology
The visit is part of a study cluster whose overall aim is to encourage students to engage with technology. “Previous themes have included space and agricultural technologies, and in Oulu the students were able to explore 6G technology as well as the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem,” says Associate Professor Willem Hulsink from Rotterdam School of Management.
“Oulu’s high-tech expertise and 6G projects are of great interest to students: the applications and commercialization opportunities they designed in their projects could become reality within a few years,” continues Associate Professor René Olie.
From left to right: Jaakko Simonen, Willem Hulsink, Petri Ahokangas, and René Olie.
The group also had the opportunity to explore Oulu and its student culture. The programme included a networking event with students from Oulu Business School and UNIC student representatives, a reception hosted by the City of Oulu at City Hall, and a closing dinner in Nallikari.
A rewarding experience
At the end of the week, second-year International Business Administration students Doae, Eva, Linh, Alicent, and Angelika from RSM were pleased with the visit.
“Our Honors programme focuses on innovation clusters. During the visit, we were able to see in practice how universities collaborate with companies and how it creates this ecosystem,” says Doae.
The students also praised the interactions with fellow students and representatives from companies and public authorities. “We had the opportunity to engage with government officials, and they were easy to approach. I felt that we were warmly welcomed,” says Alicent.
They were particularly impressed by the city’s safe atmosphere, nature, and the Northern Lights visible in the sky, as well as the stakeholder visits and networking opportunities. In addition, Finland’s reputation as the happiest country in the world had reached them, sparking their interest: “Many of us were curious about the reasons behind Finnish happiness,” Alicent continues. “I think the key factor is people’s trust in public institutions and their satisfaction with different aspects of life, such as education.”
The visit continues the collaboration between Oulu Business School and Rotterdam School of Management, which began last year. It was organized by Professor Satu Nätti, Education Designer Elisa Mejías, and UNIC Project Manager Henna Määttä.