Societal impact

In 2018, we prepared a societal impact model, which incorporates all our higher education institution’s key societal impact measures for the next five years. At the heart of the model are close and active cooperation with the business community and partners, high employment rates of our graduates and our ability to respond to changes rapidly. For the years between 2020 and 2025 we chose themes which allow us to further evaluate our societal role. The theme for 2020 was impactful RDI operations.  

Responsibility is more clearly visible in our new strategy, in which we promise to advance responsibility and sustainability in all of our operations. On the practical level, we implemented diverse measures to ensure impact throughout the year of operation. Here are some of the highlights of the year. 

Impactful RDI operations theme year 

We evaluated our societal role in connection with the impactful RDI operations theme year. We were even more mindful of how we can, with our RDI projects, create sustainable impactfulness. During our operational year, we particularly focused on three wider RDI operation development projects, the goal of which was to increase our RDI volume, culture and competence.  

Towards carbon neutrality 

We joined the Finland Chamber of Commerce Climate Commitment, in which we commit to being carbon neutral by 2030. We researched our 2019 carbon footprint, and based on these results, we created a strategy to reach our goal. We are also a member of the Climate Partners network of the City of Helsinki. 

Sustainable development and responsibility in studies 

Our curricula and degree programmes increasingly pay attention to responsible business conduct. Our students have even better opportunities for researching and developing corporate environmental responsibility in both their project work and their theses. In addition, entirely new study modules emphasizing responsible corporate conduct have been included in our course selection. 

Responsibility in exceptional times 

We noted the Finnish government’s decision to support the recommendation given by the Institute for Health and Welfare and offered reusable cloth masks to all our staff members. We also implemented other measures for maintaining safety during the exceptional year. These included, for example, continuous communications, clear hygiene guidelines, intensified cleaning and an emphasis on remote studies and work.