UC Establishes Partnership with Aalto University in Finland

The University of Cincinnati recently signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Finland’s Aalto University. The agreement called for UC to provide Aalto University with experience and expertise in establishing an experiential learning program.

The University of Cincinnati and the Division of Professional Practice and Experiential Learning (ProPEL) hosted a delegation from Aalto University from Nov. 23-24. The delegation included Eero Eloranta, vice president of education; Tapani Vuorinen, vice dean, Aalto School of Chemical Technology; Kalevi Ekman, director of Aalto Design Factory; and Eija Zitting, head of learning services.

Aalto University is a premier design, engineering and business university located in Helsinki, Finland. UC and Aalto University share a powerful commonality in experiential learning. Both universities are focused on extending learning beyond the classroom, providing students with an enhanced educational experience. Like UC, Aalto University recognizes the importance of experiential learning, providing students with top-quality research opportunities and interdisciplinary collaboration between faculty, corporations and students. 

While visiting UC, the Aalto University delegation attended a mini symposium hosted by ProPEL on Nov. 23. The symposium provided the universities with the opportunity to share knowledge on interdisciplinary innovation. The goal of the symposium was for the University of Cincinnati and Aalto University to learn from one another and seek opportunities for collaboration.

The symposium concluded with the signing of a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by Raj Mehta, vice provost for international affairs at the University of Cincinnati, and Aalto University's Eero Eloranta. The agreement called for UC to provide experience and expertise in establishing a experiential learning program at Aalto University. 

UC and Aalto University have been working together informally since 2013. This past June 2015, Associate Provost Kettil Cedercreutz, professor Christopher Cooper and professor Todd Foley of ProPEL traveled to Helsinki to explore ways in which the University of Cincinnati could partner with Finnish businesses and universities to expand its global experiential learning programs. During the trip, the UC delegation met with representatives from Aalto University to discuss cooperative education and its possible adoption at Aalto University. As a result of the meeting, the two delegations agreed to further explore the possibility of expanding cooperative education to Finland.

Foley foresees the agreement being a great opportunity for both UC and Aalto University. “The relationship between UC and Aalto will be a great opportunity for us to both learn new and innovative ways to provide experiences for our students that will help them become better leaders in their professions,” stated Foley.

Read about Aalto University’s visit to UC in 2013