MEMBER LETTER THE UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION - HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO

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MEMBER LETTER THE UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION - HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
MEMBER LETTER   The University of Helsinki Alumni Association
MEMBER LETTER THE UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION - HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
CONTENTS

                                  3	The International Alumni Network
                                  4      Alumni clubs outside Finland
                                  10     Greeting from the Association's chair
                                  11     Greeting from the Chancellor
                                  12	Strategic cooperation
                                  14     About alumni members
  The University of Helsinki
                                  18     Academic community
   Alumni Association was
 founded at the University’s      20     Helping students find work
      350th anniversary           24     Academic volunteer work
     celebration in 1990.         28     Alumna of the Year
                                  34     Alumni groups
                                  39	Member survey results
                                  40	Masters from abroad
                                  41     Reformed education
                                  43     Business collaboration                       JOIN THE INTERNATIONAL
                                                                                    ALUMNI NETWORK IN HELSINKI
                                  46     Among the top 100
                                  48     Alumni events and benefits

                                                                                 O
                                                                                           ne of the hottest topics in Finland         want our alumni to keep in touch with us after
                                                                                           currently concerns internationaliza­        graduating!
                                                                                           tion. Attracting international talents        With this in mind, the Alumni Association
                                                                                 and integrating them into the labour market           and the Career Services have established the
                                                                                 and socie­t y at large is a key issue and the focus   University of Helsinki International Alumni
                                                                                 of many strategies. The University of Helsinki        Network. The aim of the network is to provide
                                  The Alumni Association is a                    (UH) has offered Master’s Degree Programs             opportunities for students and alumni to meet,
                                  strong community whose alumni                  in English for a decade already, so we are very       to share information and experiences as well as
                                                                                 aware of the great potential of our internatio­       to take part in different activities.
                                  are an important part of the
                                                                                 nal talent. Similarly, the Career Services at UH        The Career Services will offer some work­
                                  University family. As a member,                have offered support with employability issues        shops for international students in the autumn
                                  you will regain contact with old               throughout the years. You can read more about         of 2018, co­vering themes such as job hunting
                                  friends and forge new bonds with               this on the Career Services’ website:                 in Finland, information about local working
                                                                                 https://blogs.helsinki.fi/urapalvelut/page/2/         culture and generally useful information about
  Editing office: Pia Österman,
  Johanna Fagerström, Jenny
                                  other alumni and the University.                 But what more can UH do to support in­              the rights and duties of employees in Finland.
Österman and voluntary editors    The Association provides a                     ternational students and alumni in building a         Alumni will be invited to talk to students about
   of the Alumni Association
      Cover: Lauri Rotko /        multitude of events, membership                career in Finland? This is a question which the       their experiences and to share ideas.
          Visit Helsinki                                                         Career Services and the Alumni Association
                                  benefits and services. Take part,              have been busying themselves with recently.           Read more about the International
                                  network, support the community                 We know that one major factor that hinders the        Alumni Network’s activities at
                                  and save money!                                job search is the lack of relevant networks in        https://www.helsinki.fi/en/alumniassociation/
                                                                                 the local society. Information shared through
                                                                                 professional networks is essential for integrating    Anna Storgårds
                                                                                 into the labour market. Furthermore, we also          University of Helsinki Career Services

                                                                                                                                                             Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER   3
MEMBER LETTER THE UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION - HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Sweden Alumni Club,
                                                                                                          Stockholm

                                       alumni clubs                                                       Sweden and Finland are linked together not just by
                                                                                                          history, but also by the Baltic Sea. Yet, for some reason

                                     outside finland
                                                                                                          the Baltic Sea seems easier to cross when travelling
                                                                                                          west rather than east. This is reflected in the mobility of
                                                                                                          both students and researchers: Sweden is more attrac-
                                                                                                          tive to Finns than vice versa. The Sweden Alumni Club

                    T     he University of Helsinki’s
                          alumni are everywhere, but how
                    do they find each other? The recently
                                                               number continues to grow. The clubs
                                                               operate independently, but with the
                                                               solid backing of the Alumni Asso­
                                                                                                          was established in Stockholm to address this imbalance
                                                                                                          and increase knowledge about Finland and the Univer-
                                                                                                          sity of Helsinki.
                    established local clubs of the Alumni      ciation. The Association and the Uni­         “Having lived in Sweden for close to 30 years, I have
                    Association bring alumni living in dif­    versity have supported the clubs in        noticed that many sectors need more information
                    ferent countries and cities together and   organising their first events, finding     about Finland. The local club has its work cut out for it,”
                    to the University of Helsinki.             local alumni and creating club rules.      says Kate Sevón, the club chair.
                       Internationalization is one of the      Legally, the local clubs are part of the      “Our goal is to act as the local ambassadors for the
                    foci during the University’s current       Alumni Association.                        University of Helsinki in Sweden and spread information
                    strategy period 2017–2020, and an            The local clubs are highly impor­        about Finnish academia, the University of Helsinki and
                    area where the local clubs can offer       tant to the University: this is borne      study opportunities in Helsinki – studies can also be com-
                    opportunities beyond those that are        out by the fact that the request to es­    pleted in Swedish, which comes as a surprise to many.”
                    available in Helsinki. The members of      tablish new clubs came from the Uni­          The Stockholm club began to operate in August 2017
                    local clubs are the ideal ambassadors      versity’s senior management. How­          and soon had 70 members. Sevón herself has been a
                    to spread information about the Uni­       ever, the clubs are primarily intended     member of the Alumni Association for years, but the
                    versity of Helsinki through their local    for alumni networking. Alumni can          events in Helsinki have often been too far away.
                    networks to students, companies and        use the clubs to make new friends or          Thus the local club benefits not just the University,
                    researchers at other universities.         to reconnect with old ones, to main­       but also the alumni themselves.
                    The local clubs currently have a total     tain their Finnish skills or to create        “When I heard about the plans to establish the club,
                    of more than 300 members, and the          new business opportunities.                I immediately wanted to get involved.”

4   Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER                                                                                                                                  Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER   5
MEMBER LETTER THE UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION - HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
The EU Alumni Club offers alumni
                                                                                                           meaningful opportunities in:

                                                                                                           • Creating networks and strength-
                                                                                                           ening connections between pres-
                                                                                                           ent, former and future students at
                                                                                                           the University of Helsinki, as well
                                                                                                           as in building an internal sense of
                                                                                                           community through various EU
                                                                                                           Alumni activities.

                                                                                                           • Promoting and supporting re-
                                                                                                           search excellence and the standard
                                                                                                           of education at the University of
                                                                                                           Helsinki; attracting the best stu-
                                                                                                           dents, researchers and employees
                                                                                                           to the university. Reinforcing the
                                                                                                           positive image of the University of
                                                                                                           Helsinki as an international actor.

                                                                                                           • Developing lifelong learning in
                                                                                                           the University of Helsinki and using
                                                                                                           its possibilities for self-develop-
      EU Alumni Club,                                                                                      ment and to update new profes-
                                                                                                           sional skills. Providing one’s exper-
      Brussels
                                                                                                           tise to the University of Helsinki
      Established in September 2017, the              the EU. Networking with members of the ac-           and the other alumni.
      Brussels-­based EU Alumni Club is the most      ademic community provides significant bene-
      recent addition to the group of local clubs.    fits and added value, which is reason enough         • Close communication and dia-
      The key goal is to increase membership          to get involved in the club operations,” says        logue between the University of
      numbers and to strengthen the club’s profile,   its chair Saara Harjula.                             Helsinki and the Alumni commu-
      but the club has already got off to a promis-      “I find it personally important to promote        nities on current affairs, especially
      ing start; more than 50 members registered      and strengthen the brand of the University of        regarding scientific studies, topical
      in the first few months.                        Helsinki in Brussels, and to attract top students,   EU matters and news concerning
        As the operations develop, the club aims      researchers and other staff to the University.       the University of Helsinki.
      to promote the University’s image as a          The University can significantly increase its
      strong international player and to offer the    visibility in Brussels by involving alumni in its
      expertise of its members to the University      communications and other operations.”
      and other alumni.                                  The mission of the EU Alumni Club is to
        Many Finns living in Brussels work for the    create a lifelong and worldwide community of
      EU, and can thus offer a great deal not only    alumni through increasing opportunities for
      to the University but to each other.            mutual engagement: Stay Connected, Con-
        “Networks are an integral part of the job     tinue Learning and Support the University of
      description, particularly when working for      Helsinki.

6   Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER                                                                                          Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER   7
MEMBER LETTER THE UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION - HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
China Alumni Club,
      Beijing
      The Alumni Association’s biggest local club       Chinese researchers, but few students know       Helsinki, now teaches Finnish language
      is the Beijing-­based China Alumni Club. Up       about it.                                        and culture and heads the centres of
      to 150 alumni have participated in its events,       “The Chinese know more about Fin­             Finnish and Nordic studies at Beijing
      and the club has 230 followers in the Chi-        nish comprehensive school than about the         Foreign Studies University.
      nese WeChat social media service. Regard-         Finnish higher education system, and most          “The University of Helsinki is a top uni-
      less, there is still room for growth since more   Chinese students want to study in Eng-           versity, but its location in Finland is also
      than 1,800 University of Helsinki alumni are      lish-speaking countries. Alumni and ex-          significant. Finnish culture is important
      currently living in China. The University also    change students can promote the reputation       for students and researchers who wish
      hopes to see an increase in the number of         of the University of Helsinki by sharing their   to study at the University, because the
      students coming to Helsinki and in research       stories,” says Li Ying, general-secretary of     Chinese value it's emhpasis on freedom
      cooperation with Chinese universities. The        the China Alumni Club.                           of research, equality, respect for privacy,
      University has a good reputation among               Ying, a former student of the University of   safety and security.”

8   Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER                                                                                                                  Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER   9
MEMBER LETTER THE UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION - HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
We are    the largest Nordic alumni association as
      Nina Kaverinen                                       regards the scope of our membership and activi­                                                                              and make a difference, in all sectors in Fin­

                                                                                                                   linda tammisto
                                                           ties. Likewise, we are among the leading alumni                                                                                    land as well as beyond our borders. I
                                                           associations in Europe in terms of participation                                                                                       will continue to enjoy my activities
                                                           rate, with a membership total that continues to                                                                                          in the Alumni Association as a
                                                           grow. So, we have every reason to feel proud.                                                                                             member of its Board as well as
                                                           But we must also bear in mind that our alumni                                                                                              my regular meetings with the
                                                           activities were established quite recently in com­                                                                                         alumni community.
                                                           parison to many other top universities. We still
                                                           have a lot to do.                                                                                                                          Fundraising       is a concrete form
                                                              We also have reasons to remain vigilant.                                                                                                of public engagement and has
                                                           Changes to university funding, the reorganisation                                                                                     become a regular and important part
                                                           of administrative structures and the upcoming                                                                                of the University’s opera­tions. On two occa­
                                                           reform of entrance examinations are all hot topics                                                                           sions, the Finnish government has supported
                                                           in the academic community. Alumni must con­                                                                                  fund­raising by offering matched funding,
                                                           tribute to the public discussion to defend the con­                                                                          which has con­siderably increased the amount
                                                           cepts of a research university and a civilised state.                                                                        of donations. The University’s most recent
                                                              Moreover, we must side with students, re­                                                                                 fundraising campaign concluded last summer
                                                           searchers, faculties and the University’s admin­                                                                             to great success. I wish to thank the many
                       Enough for                          istrative sectors in matters of student recruit­
                                                           ment, career services, business collaboration and                                Quality                                     alumni who made donations to support the
                                                                                                                                                                                        University’s work. The University of Helsin­

                        the wise                           international relations. This year, we will again
                                                           have the opportunity to enjoy and contribute to                                   first                                      ki received some €39 million in government
                                                                                                                                                                                        funding to match the €34 million it had accu­

     D                                                                                                                      I
                                                           a wide-ranging program of events. This news­                                                                                 mulated in donations. The majority of these
                ear members of the Alumni Associ­          letter provides a taste of what’s to come, but                                n the autumn of 2017, the University           sums will be added to the University’s core
                ation, if there is anything the world      you should also follow the Alumni Association’s                               launched new, comprehensive Bachelor’s         capital, and only the return on capital will be
                needs in 2018, it is knowledge based on    website and Facebook group.                                                   and Master’s programs. The purpose is          used to fund University operations. Neverthe­
      research. The challen­ges and opportunities fac­                                                                              to adopt a model compatible with European           less, the signal is clear: in the future the Uni­
      ing Finland and the world are so varied that we      The words sat sapienti – enough for the wise                             universities so that students can transfer more     versity must be ready to fund its operations
      must have access to the best possible knowledge      – have been engraved on our Association’s wine                           easily to other universities for their subsequent   flexibly rather than relying solely on funding
      and skills.                                          glass. We can never have enough knowledge,                               studies. For students, the reform should be         from the government budget.
         Such knowledge and skills are also available to   learning and science in this world of alternative                        ref­lected in clear, comprehensive “packages”          The competition inherent in academia has
      us as members of the University of Helsinki          facts. Hence, the Alumni Association endeavours                          and smoother paths with reasonable objectives       always been reflected in the way our research­
      Alumni Association. Alumni activities bring          to provide an outstanding arena for constructive                         that can be reached with a realistic amount of      ers and teachers pursue their careers. To me,
      researchers and their work within our reach and      and informed discussions and meetings.                                   time and effort. Now that the first term of the     it is also clearly reflected in the competition
      help us stay up to date with the latest develop­        At best, alumni activities can be inspiring,                          new programs is over, we can learn from our         for results, donors, partners and attention in
      ments. Together we are a community that creates      refreshing and intellectually stimulating – and                          experiences. The reform requires that we con­       the international academic arena. We wish
      and fosters the conditions for constructive public   a fun form of social networking. The multi­                              sider the feedback from the programs, from          to be an attractive, high-quality and high-­
      discussion. The alumni identity connects people      disciplinary dimension of alumni activities is                           both students and teachers. The programs’           impact university where people want to work
      of different ages and educational backgrounds.       particularly beneficial for a highly specialised                         teaching and their structures must be adapted       and study and which offers the best possible
      It also provides the University with perspectives    medical alumna like myself. We are the Uni­                              to support the special features of each field,      setting for them to do so. We must focus on
      from the business community and beyond.              versity of Helsinki – why not invite an alumnus                          and to ensure that teaching can be seamlessly       quality to stand out and succeed.
         But alumni activities are about much more         or alumna of the University of Helsinki to join                          connected to research.
      than that. They encompass discussions, cele­         our community?                                                              The duties of the chancellor include forg­       Kaarle Hämeri
      brations and events focusing on cutting edge                                                                                  ing and maintaining contacts with various           Chancellor of the University of Helsinki
      research, literature and culture. The Univer­        Kati Myllymäki                                                           sectors of society. Alumni play a key role          Member of the Board of
      sity’s Alumni Association organised all the          Chair of the Advisory Board of                                           in the chancellor’s cooperative network.            the Alumni Association
      above during Finland’s centennial celebrations       the Alumni Association                                                   Through them, the University can be seen            Physics alumnus
      in 2017, which was the most active year in the       CEO of the Finnish Medical Association
      Association’s history – at least to date.            Medical alumna

10   Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER                                                                                                                                                                        Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER   11
MEMBER LETTER THE UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION - HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
reform. He considers the reform necessary be­ another field where the University has gained

                                                                                                             jaakko martikainen
                                                                                                                                  cause Finnish young people embark on their       considerable international fame and funding.
                                                                                                                                  studies quite late and their graduation is often    Rector Kola and I concluded our conversa­
                                                                                                                                  delayed. That is of no benefit to the students   tion by addressing the topic of international
                                                                                                                                  themselves. However, Kola also said that he      activities. The Alumni Association’s local clubs
                                                                                                                                  understands the concerns that many young         have got off to a good start, which can partly
                                                                                                                                  people and their parents – perhaps also alum­ be attributed to the special support provid­
                                                                                                                                  ni – have about the reform. He hopes that        ed by the University. Clubs have now been
                                                                                                                                  the results of research on various admissions    established in China, Brussels, Stockholm and
                                                                                                                                  paths will be utilised in the                                      Berlin, overall with considera­
                                                                                                                                  reform preparations.                                               ble success.
                                                                                                                                     The University’s core                                             Having recently parti­ci­
                                                                                                                                  mission includes not only             Cooperation                  pated in a meeting of the
                                                                                                                                  education, but also scholar­                                       China Alumni Club, the
                                                                                                                                                                           is running
                                                                                                                                  ly work. The University                                            rector told me that our
                                                                                                                                  has succeeded quite well           smoothly and is Chines­e alumni are remarka­
                                                                                                                                  in obtaining international
                                                                                                                                  competitive research fund­
                                                                                                                                                                      furthering our bly                 involved in activities that
                                                                                                                                                                                                     complement the University of
                                                                                                                                  ing, which testifies to its             objectives.                Helsinki’s official co­operation
                                                                                                                                  competitive research edge.                                         with Peking University. In
                                                                                                                                  The University’s success in                                        this way, the Alumni Asso­
                                                                                                                                  international rankings is another measure        ciation and the University of Helsinki can
                                                                                                                                  of its standing. During our discussion, the      cooperate effectively and further our objectives
                                                                                                                                  rector also mentioned a few examples that        together.
                                                                                                                                  have recently attracted international inter­
                                                                                                                                  est. For instance, the Helsinki Institute of     Arja Suominen
                                                                                                                                  Sustainability Science (HELSUS) is a good        Chair of the Board of the Alumni Association
                                                                                                                                  illustration of how the integration of several   Senior Vice President, Communications and

                          BUILDING THE FUTURE                                                                                     disciplines can produce more optimal out­        Corporate Responsibility, Finnair
                                                                                                                                  comes. Similarly, the atmospheric sciences is Finnish alumna

      T     he 2017 annual celebration of the Alumni
            Association provided me with an oppor­
       tunity to discuss the University’s and the
                                                          alumni are interested in what is happening at
                                                          the University and take every opportunity to
                                                          discuss the latest developments.
       Association’s current situation and future           Rector Kola explained that the University’s
       objectives together with Rector Jukka Kola.        new Bachelor’s programs – 32 instead of the
       We were pleased to note that we had many           previous 100 or so programs – strive to improve
       similar thoughts and plans.                        graduate employment.
         In addition to organising alumni activities,       The objective is to assist students in gaining                                  The university of Helsinki Alumni
       the Alumni Association focuses on supporting       a broad understanding of the issues addressed
                                                                                                                                          Association’s annual general meeting
       the employment of young academic gradua­           in the fields of each program and to provide
       tes through mentoring and the new Alumni           students with the ability to examine issues                                                        Thursday November 29th 2018 5–7 pm
       Ambassador program as well as by making            comprehensively from several perspectives.                                           The University main building, Small hall, Fabianinkatu 33 (3rd floor)
       our expertise available to the University. Jukka   Kola noted that new students have welcomed
       Kola told me that University graduates have        the reform. For alumni, the reform provides                                                    The material for the annual meeting is available on
       been fairly successful in finding employment in    new opportunities to support the University’s                                                  the Alumni Association’s website and at the office.
       recent years and that the University continues     education through sharing their expertise.
       to help students develop their career skills.        During our discussion, the rector also briefly
         As members of the University community,          mentioned a current hot topic: the admissions

12   Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER                                                                                                                                                                   Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER   13
MEMBER LETTER THE UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION - HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
I AM A MEMBER OF THE ALUMNI
   ASSOCIATION BECAUSE...
                                                                                                          "
                                                                                                          I joined the Alumni Association
                                                                                                          soon after my graduation. I
                                                                                                          enjoyed my studies and recog-
                                                                                                          nized their importance in my life,
                                                                                                          so I wanted to stay in touch with
                                                                                                          the University after graduating.

     " Ever since my graduation, it’s been
       clear to me that I want to stay in close
       contact with the University of Helsinki
                                                                                                          Yliopisto magazine, one of the
                                                                                                          perks available to members, has
                                                                                                          kept me up to date with what’s
       Alumni Association. My identity is in­                                                             happening at the University and
       extricably linked to the academic com­                                                             in research.
       munity, and the University of Helsinki is                                                             I’m a lifelong learner at heart
       my alma mater. It was also my work­
       place for some 15 years.
                                                                                                          and, for me as an alumna, it is
                                                                                                          important to find out about inter-   "   It took me a long time to find the
                                                                                                                                                   kind of volunteer work that would
          Although I often collaborated with
       the Alumni Association when working at
       the University, becoming a member and
                                                     "
                                                     Alumni can help students – and the University
                                                     – as mentors to find their place in their field. I
                                                     learned a great deal about the expertise
                                                                                                          esting University lectures open to
                                                                                                          the public. The Alumni Associa-
                                                                                                          tion also organises a wide variety
                                                                                                                                               allow me to support students
                                                                                                                                               on their career paths. I want to
                                                                                                                                               encourage and inspire students
       participating in the Association activities   available at the University during my time on        of interesting events, which I’ve    to explore a wide range of career
       didn’t seem self-evident. I didn’t appreci­   the advisory committee of University of Helsinki     enjoyed and which have allowed       paths both in Finland and abroad.
       ate their value until I changed jobs in the   Funds. Now I participate in alumni events to         me to meet new people, both          I hope my own example inspires
       winter of 2016. But since then, I’ve par­     engage in similar, intellectually stimulating con-   other alumni and students.           them to seek the path that is right
       ticipated in the Association’s events and     versations and access the latest knowledge.             I also appreciate meeting and     for them. As a theology graduate, I
       other activities on a monthly basis. The         Fundraising is important for all, including       supporting today’s students          have worked in a number of fields
       activities make me feel I haven’t left the    those of us who have studied the humanities. I       through the Association’s volun-     including brand creation, commu­
       University or lost the friendships I made     have personally had the opportunity to donate        teer activities. Being a member      nications, marketing, corporate so­
       during my studies and academic career.        1,000 euros to the University, and intend to         of the Alumni Association makes      cial responsibility, volunteer work
       They also give me an even greater incen­      make a similar contribution in the future. All       me feel part of the academic         and NGO management.
       tive to continue my professional collabo­     donations, regardless of size, make a difference.    community although I work in the          Through the Alumni Association
       ration with the University of Helsinki."         As an alumnus, I hope the University under-       corporate world."                    I was able to join an active and
                                                     stands that students are its most important                                               inspirational network. Crucially, I
       Janne Wikström                                clients. Right now it seems as if students have      Anna Autere                          have had the opportunity to do
       Faculty of Social Sciences/                   been left to fend for themselves in a maze of        Faculty of Arts                      precisely the things that original­
       Swedish School of Social Science              bureaucracy. Perhaps a new type of amanuensis                                             ly made me join the Association.
                                                     could provide staff with better opportunities to                                          I have been able to support and
                                                     concentrate on supporting students in becom-                                              inspire students; as a member of
                                                     ing excellent scholars.                                                                   the alumni network, I have made a
                                                        The Alumni Association gives me the chance                                             difference. It’s exciting to engage
                                                     to shape the future of an international uni-                                              in a lively dialogue, hear interesting
                                                     versity. Although money is important, the                                                 views and learn more about what
                                                     humanities help reduce inequality and expand                                              is happening in the academic and
                                                     democracy. For me, being an alumnus is about                                              wider communities – in a free and
                                                     promoting optimism."                                                                      open way."

                                                     Asko Mäkelä                                                                               Sari Vapaavuori
                                                     Faculty of Arts                                                                           Faculty of Theology

14   Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER
MEMBER LETTER THE UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION - HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
6511

                Our community                                                                                                                                                                       7104

                is growing                                                                                                                                                                                    5544
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     5574

                                                                                                                                                                                                    5340

                This chart is an overview of the Alumni Association’s
                membership growth. The statistics from 1991–2007 are
                                                                                                                                                                                             4900
                based on numbers from the annual reports. From 2008
                and onward, the chart included only those members who
                have paid their membership fee for that specific year.

                                                                                                                                                                                      4400
                Gender 1.1.2018                                      Members of the local clubs
                34 % male
                66 % female                                                                 China Alumni Club 206
                                                                                            EU Alumni Club 112
                Age 1.1.2018
                                                                                            Sweden Alumni Club 92                                                           3600
                ≤ 29 years:          712
                                                                                            Total 410
                30–45 years:         1292
                46–65 years:         2457
                ≥ 66 years:          2643

                                                                                                                                                                     2450
                                                                                2334
                                                                        2198             2228     2230     2235     2235   2250   2245                        2200
       4.12.1990
                                                                                                                                         2100

          171                                                                                                                                   1900
                                                                                                                                                       1800

                                                                                                                                                                                                              The goal
                          1112    1093                                                                                                                                                                       of 2018 is to
                1024                                                                                                                                                                                         reach 7 500
   849                                                                                                                                                                                                        members
                                                  728          775

1991     1992      1993       1994         1995         1996         1997    1998    1999    2000       2001   2002    2003   2004   2005   2006   2007   2008   2009   2010       2011   2012   2013      2014   2015   2016   2017
MEMBER LETTER THE UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION - HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
ACADEMIC COMMUNITY
      T      he Alumni Association is a significant      to the tradition of Master’s conferment ceremo­
             Finnish and international force in terms of nies being added to the Finnish list of intangible
       its size and activity. Its membership exceeds the cultural heritage in recognition of the significance
                                                                                                                its value: the Alumni Association looked to
                                                                                                                leading British and American universities when
                                                                                                                it was established in 1990.
                                                                                                                                                                    target our communications (e.g., when inviting all
                                                                                                                                                                    alumni from the Faculty of Law who graduated
                                                                                                                                                                    30 years ago to an annual celebration in Beijing).
       number of residents in most Finnish munici­       and unique nature of the tradition. The list is           It goes to show that there is no need to re­        In addition to focusing on specific geograph­
       palities – more than 7,000. We would need a       associated with UNESCO’s Convention for the            invent the wheel in alumni activities.              ic areas, the Association will also ensure that all
       facility the size of five major concert halls or  Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.         The Association also endeavours to help stu­     alumni – whether or not they can participate
       three large cruise ships to fit all our members   The conferment of Master’s degrees is a unique         dents succeed in the international job market       in our activi­ties – feel that their membership is
       in one place at the same time.                                    Finnish tradition, which has           and spread the word about the Uni­                               meaningful. Our member program
       Together we are an academic                                       continued uninterrupted at the         versity of Helsinki. The local clubs                             will remain diverse, and we will
       community that highlights the              We would               University of Helsinki since the       established around the world have           Thank you continue to communicate effectively.
       significance of research and                                      1640s. The Association’s mem­          quickly proved effective in these ef­                            Read more about the benefits avail­
       academic education throughout
                                                  need three             bers belonging to the Promootion       forts. We owe a great deal of thanks
                                                                                                                                                             on behalf able            to members and be sure to use
       Finnish society.                          large cruise            ystävät (“Conferment friends”)         to the active alumni who have taken         of all of us them.
          When reading this newsletter,                                  group drew up the application.         it upon themselves to coordinate the
       you will soon discover that the         ships to all fit                                                 clubs. We could not have done it             members! You are warmly welcome to attend
       Alumni Association’s persis­             in one place.            This year, we will focus on the        from Helsinki.                                                   the Association’s events. You can also
       tent efforts for the benefit of                                   University’s strategic objective                                                           bring along a friend who is not a member. Our
       students and the University are                                   of placing the focus on students.      The reform of the member register later this        feedback suggests that you will enjoy yourselves.
       paying off. Every single member can feel proud    The Association will contribute to this goal by        year will also require much work. But it is         Drop by at least once – curiosity is a key virtue of
       of having supported students and the University supporting the employment of students and                necessary in order to bring our activities in line  alumni! To conclude, I would like to thank the
       through his or her membership fee. The Associ­    the development of their career skills through         with the EU’s General Data Protection Regula­       hundreds of alumni who have participated in our
       ation engages members in projects that support    various projects. One of the projects, the Alumni      tion, which will take effect in the spring of 2018. academic volunteer work this or last year by, for
       the University’s strategic objectives. Through    Ambassador program, allows dozens of alumni            The new regulation is a positive development,       example, holding lectures, participating in work
       cooperation with faculties, strategic sectors and to help hundreds of students regardless of time        and we aim to promptly comply with its spirit       groups, helping with mail-outs and bringing to­
       the University’s senior management, we have       and place. The project activities are based on the     of openness and accessibility, while guarantee­     gether alumni from various fields. Thank you on
       agreed on focus areas for the academic volunteer successful model used at Harvard University,            ing the absolute security of our members’ data      behalf of all us members!
       work of alumni. The Association also undertakes which has been applied to the circumstances at           including its responsible use in our communi­
       long-term projects. For example, an application   the University of Helsinki. This is not the first      cations. The register data must be comprehen­       Pia Österman
       drawn up within the Alumni Association led        time that inter-university cooperation has proved      sive and up-to-date to allow us to effectively      Executive Director of the Alumni Association

18   Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER                                                                                                                                                   Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER   19
BUILDING INTERACTION
                                                                                                           Collaboration between alumni and students is in constant
                                                                                                              demand. The University of Helsinki is responding to
                                                                                                            this demand by offering group mentoring, for example.
                                                                                                             Participants in the 2017–2018 kick-off session explain
                                                                                                                      what group mentoring is all about.

                                                                                                                                                                                                             Riitta-Ilona Hurmerinta
HELPING STUDENTS FIND WORK
T     he Alumni Association and the University education meets employer needs. We also help
      of Helsinki share the objective of helping students find traineeship opportunities.
students find employment. Below is a descrip­      Moreover, we collaborate closely with the
tion of the key methods the Association uses     Student Union, subject-specific student associ­
to support employment.                                         ations and faculty organisations      Alumna Leena Korppoo (middle) with her mentees at the kick-off
   The Alumni Association’s                                    as well as participate in career
most important partner in these         The shared events focusing on specific disci­                session of the group mentoring program in November 2017.

efforts is the University’s Career        objective            plines or campuses, administer
Services, with which we are                                    a related Facebook group and
organising a program of group             is to help           organise the annual Freshman
mentoring for the third time.
Each mentor in the program
shares their skills and experien­
                                      students find Adventure for new students. We
                                                               particularly support the career
                                      employment. and alumni coordinators of sub­
                                                                                                     E    arly Monday evening is not necessarily
                                                                                                          a time when you would expect to find a
                                                                                                     large crowd at Think Corner. But the kick-off
                                                                                                                                                       of their own choice. A closing session for all
                                                                                                                                                       the program participants will be held in May
                                                                                                                                                       2018.
ces with a small group of two to                               ject-specific student associations.   session for the University’s group mentoring         “Mentoring is both fun and energising. It
five students who are about to graduate. The       In addition, this year we will carry out the      program on 13 November 2017 proved an             doesn’t take much work, just a bit of time and
students also receive support from each other.   ambitious Alumni Ambassador program,                exception. Bringing together the University’s     effort,” says Otto Mattsson, who has acted as a
   In addition, we support the Career Services   which will provide hundreds of students with        alumni and students, the program kick-off         mentor several times.
in carrying out nationwide career tracking       an opportunity to receive tips from alumni          attracted an audience of close to 130 mentors        This is the seventh time the University’s
surveys. The purpose of career tracking is to    about job-seeking and career progress. The          and mentees. Each of the 29 mentors will          Career Services is coordinating the program
produce information on the employment of         program will use the opportunities pro­vided        supervise a group of two to five students. They   together with the Alumni Association and the
academic graduates and on how well academic      by LinkedIn.                                        will meet over a six-month period at intervals    University’s Alumni Services. The participants

                                                                                                                                                                            Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER                         21
– both students and alumni – represent a wide      The aim of mentoring is for the mentor and             exceptional. Its extensive cross-disciplinary         and lets you interact with professionals,”
      range of disciplines.                              mentee to discuss career-related topics at a           nature provides diverse opportunities to parti­       mentor Mäkipää states.
         “I joined the Alumni Association a few years    general level and for the mentor to share his or       cipate in the University’s activities.
      ago and found out about group mentoring. The       her work-­related experiences with the mentee             “As an added bonus, the University program         Alumni needed to support students
      development opportunities are exceptional when     in confidence. The idea is not for mentors to          provides an opportunity to work with students         The mentors participating in this year’s program
      you pair two people who don’t know each other      share only their subject knowledge.                    who are interested in their personal develop­         encourage other alumni to apply for the next
      together to make plans for the future,” says         “Finnish mentors are often quite modest              ment and are going through an important               program. Sharing your work and life experiences
      Mikko Mäkipää, a speech consultant and             although they actually have a lot to give based        phase in their lives. I think it will also be ener­   enables students to outline
      first-time mentor.                                 on their experiences,” Kupias noted at the             gising for me as a mentor,” says Leena                potential career paths and future scenarios.
                                                         kick-off session.                                      Korppoo, a psychologist at Desentra Oy.                 “The primary duty of alumni is to encourage
      The mentoring process supports                       Student interest in the program is reflec­ted           Having participated in the program in previ­       students to grab opportunities, awaken their
      career planning                                    in the high number of applicants each year.            ous years, Otto Mattsson says that mentoring is       interest in the diverse world of work and inspire
      The group mentoring program has been further       Group mentoring provides mentees with the              an excellent way to support both students and         them to keep trying,” Korppoo stresses.
      developed each year since its launch. This time,   opportunity to reflect on their career plans and       the University.                                         Students also encourage alumni to participate
      the Alumni Association and Career Servic­          gain related tips from the mentor.                        “You learn about young people, but you also        in the activities of the alma mater.
      es asked Päivi Kupias of Tevere Oy to lead a         “As a mentor, I can help students with pre­          learn from them.” It’s good to hold on to the           “Students find it tremendously beneficial to
      training session in mentoring for those partici­   cisely the kind of practical questions that aca­       objectives and schedule of the mentoring process.     cooperate with graduates. I expect to gain infor­
      pating in the kick-off session. In addition, the   demic studies don’t answer, such as: What are             “Mentoring can play a significant role in          mation and practice relating, for example, to the
      mentors and mentees can now consult the            employers looking for? Where should I search           giving both parties a clearer direction for the       choice of study tracks,” adds mentee Fonsell-Lehto.
      Workbook for Mentoring, a guide compiled by        for jobs and how should I apply for them?              future. Interaction helps to widen your perspec­
      Kupias together with Minna-Rosa Kanniai­           How can I describe my skills to employers?”            tive, provides you with feedback on your ideas        Miika Mertanen
      nen and Jaana Nylund that provides practical       says Mattsson, who previously worked in a
      advice to those involved in a mentoring process.   leadership position at Alma Media.
                                                           As the operations are based on a group for­
                                                         mat, they do not rely solely on the mentor –       DISCIPLINE-SPECIFIC                                                            ALUMNI AND CAREER
                                                         the mentees also support each other. Increas­
                                                                                                            CAREER EVENTS                                                                  COORDINATORS OF
                                                         ingly, the process is developing into a kind of
            ALUMNI, PARTICIPATE IN                       peer mentoring based on the creation of mutual                                                                                    SUBJECT-SPECIFIC
            GROUP MENTORING!                             trust during the meetings.                         Career events    organised          talks and organised workshops.             ORGANISATIONS
            •The group mentoring program
                                                           “The key ingredients are trust and shared        by students are effective at           In early December 2017, the
             includes groups that function in
                                                         goals,” Kupias points out.                         raising the profile of their dis-   Condus student organisation                Those interested in career and
                                                                                                            cipline and establishing new        of the Faculty of Educational              alumni activities should join the
             Finnish, Swedish or English
                                                         Cross-disciplinary interaction                     cooperation opportunities.          Sciences organised the first               HYY Työelämä ja Alumnit group
            •As a mentor, you will supervise a          This year, students were given the opportunity        Subject- and faculty-­specific   Beha Works seminar at Silta­               on Facebook, which currently has
             group of two to five mentees by             to join mentoring groups based on themes they      student organisations as well       vuorenpenger, with talks,                  some 350 members. The group
             leading discussions on general work-        find interesting. The mentors had outlined the     as their partners organise a        workshops, tips and informa-               acts as a discussion platform for
             related topics.                             topics they will focus on in the group meet­       variety of career events on the     tion for job-seekers from the              the career and alumni coordinators
            •The next phase of the program will         ings, such as self-knowledge, career options       University campuses through-        representatives of various                 of the Student Union’s student
             begin in autumn 2018 and will last          and describing one’s expertise. The resulting      out the year. The Alumni            organisations.                             associations as well as for those
             approximately six months.                   mentoring groups cross faculty boundaries.         Association informs its mem-           In December 2017, the                   involved in the Student Union and

            •Apply to become a mentor for the
                                                            “My biggest expectation for the mentor/         bers about the events and           Kannunvalajat student organi-              the Alumni Association.

             2018–2019 period on the Alumni
                                                         mentee cooperation relates to open discussion      assists the organisers.             sation of the Faculty of Social              The group members share

             Association’s website: https://www.
                                                         between scholars of different levels. The men­        In November 2017, the            Sciences arranged the VTM17                information about upcoming

             helsinki.fi/en/alumni-association
                                                         tee is not yet restricted by established prac­     Kumpula Campus hosted the           career fair for social scientists          career events and open positions
                                                         tice in the discipline, whereas the mentor has     first Kumpulan potentiaali ca-      at Think Corner and in the                 in NGOs. The group enables
            •More information on the University         experience in integrating theory and practice,”    reer and recruitment event for      lobby of the University’s Main             persons from various sectors to
             of Helsinki’s group mentoring               states Kaisa Fonsell-Lehto, an education           science students. More than 50      Building. Several organisations            meet and discuss current pheno­
             program: http://blogs.helsinki.fi/          student.                                           companies set up stands, gave       were in attendance.                        mena in working life.
             mentorointi/en/                                The group format of the University of
                                                         Helsinki’s mentoring program is highly

22   Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER                                                                                                                                                    Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER   23
linkedin.com/groups/8431519
Home                                                                                                                                                                         My Network    Jobs     Messaging         Me

                                                                                                             to find work in a particular field. Alumni can      Want to
                                                                                                             provide precisely this kind of information.”        participate?
                                                                                                                The Alumni Ambassadors can answer ques­
                                                                                                             tions, give tips on jobs and traineeships and
                                                                                                             assess CVs. Only two requirements are placed
                                                                                                             on the Ambassadors: they must have a LinkedIn          Alumni: Complete the registra-
                                                                                                             profile and must commit to answering the               tion form on the Association’s
                                                                                                             questions they receive – even if it is to let the      website. After registering, you
                                                                                                             student know that “I can’t help you right now”.        will receive instructions for
                                                                                                                Students can identify the Ambassadors by            joining the closed LinkedIn
                                                                                                             the text added to their profile. If the Ambassa­       group (you can also join
                                                                                                             dors are experiencing a particularly busy period       directly at linkedin.com/
                                                                                                             or receive too many questions from students,           groups/8431519). You will
                                                                                                             they can delete the text from their profile. The       also receive instructions for
                                                                                                             Alumni Association coordinates the activities to       adding information to your
                                                                                                             ensure that no individual alumnus or alumna is         profile about your participation
                                                                                                             overburdened, and will, if necessary, find a new       in the program. Students will
                                                                                                             Ambassador for the student.                            contact you via LinkedIn.
                                                                                                                The Alumni Ambassador activities are

                   AMBASSADOR
                                                                                                             less laborious than traditional mentoring: as
                                                                                                             opposed to mentors, the Ambassadors make
                                                                                                             no long-term commitments and need not be
                                                                                                             trained. They are only expected to answer
                    The Alumni Ambassador program enables                                                    students’ questions from their own perspective.
                  dozens of alumni to help hundreds of students.                                                The activities are just getting started at the   Students:  Register by completing the
                                                                                                             University of Helsinki, but the same model has      registration form on the Alumni Asso-
                                                                                                             been found effective at Harvard University,         ciation’s website. You can then join the

        I f you wish to help a student prepare for
          working life, but have little time and are
        constantly on the go due to work engagements,
                                                          year, the Alumni Association organised
                                                          several LinkedIn trainings, during which
                                                          alumna Merli Juustila educated alumni
                                                                                                             which has a long tradition of alumni activities.
                                                                                                                The University of Helsinki’s Alumni Asso­
                                                                                                             ciation developed the approach in cooperation
                                                                                                                                                                 closed LinkedIn group to network with
                                                                                                                                                                 alumni and contact the Alumni Ambassa-
                                                                                                                                                                 dors using a password provided to you.
        the Alumni Ambassador program may be the          and students in using LinkedIn. LinkedIn           with Mika Malin, chair of the Harvard Club
        solution. It is the Alumni Association’s latest   training and alumni assistance are in              of Finland.
        approach to helping students, regardless of       considerable demand, says Sonja Sipponen,             “Thanks to its transparency and careful
        time and place.                                   who coordinates the Association’s Ambassa­         design, the Ambassador program provides
          The activities take place on LinkedIn, the      dor program. The Alumni Association also           low-threshold activities. The alumni do not
        social network for professionals. LinkedIn        arranged several workshops where both alum­        have to improvise anything because they can
        provides an existing and fully functioning        ni and students are able to take a profile photo   rely on the existing framework.”
        platform for alumni and students to meet          for their LinkedIn profile, shot by a profes­         Although many alumni are constantly busy,
        easily on their own terms. All activities         sional photographer.                               Malin believes they are willing to help.
        occur through the Alumni Association’s               “Students are interested in first-hand infor­      “I recognise the built-in desire of Harvard
        closed LinkedIn group to ensure that the          mation on whom to contact for a traineeship        alumni to steer students onto the right path
        alumni help the right students.                   position or a summer job; for information on       because their own experiences of studying at
          Students must first create an effective         the skills needed for a particular job; and for    Harvard were so positive. I believe the same
        LinkedIn profile. During the program’s first      advice on the disciplines they should study        also applies to the University of Helsinki.”

24   Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER                                                                                                                                          Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER   25
Veikko Somerpuro
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Academic
                                                                                                                                                                                                     volunteer
                                                                                                                                                                                                     work
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Members of    the Alumni Associa­
                                                                                                                                                                                                     tion have a great deal of expertise
                                                                                                                                                                                                     to offer to the benefit of the Uni-
                                                                                                                                                                                                     versity. The function of the Asso­
                                                                                                                                                                                                     ciation’s office is to find suitable
                                                                                                                                                                                                     experts for different volunteer
                                                                                                                                                                                                     tasks. Each task is based on a com-
                                                                                                                                                                                                     mission, a description and an ap-
                                                                                                                                                                                                     proach, be it teamwork, pair work
                                                                                                                                                                                                     or independent efforts. The volun-
                                                                                                                                                                                                     teers commit to the task for one

             THE ALUMNI CONTROL POINT
                                                                                                                            “Great interaction between young people and                              year, at the end of which they can
                                                                                                                         alumni”, another volunteer commented.                                       request an employment certificate.
                                                                                                                            “The event was a success. The idea was brilliant
                DRAWS A BIG CROWD
                                                                                                                                                                                                     For example, in 2017 the Associ-
                                                                                                                         and benefited both parties. With groups of four to six                      ation members completed a total
                                                                                                                         people, everyone could participate in a manner that                         of 800 hours of volunteer work

     T     he Alumni Association regularly partici­
           pates in the Fuksiseikkailu, the Student
     Union’s Freshman Adventure. With close to
                                                              ity? Everything is possible, so you can pull out all the
                                                              stops in writing the profile! Create your own alter ego!
                                                                 The alumni control point featured two tasks
                                                                                                                         suited them. It was a great way to get to know the
                                                                                                                         activities and the people behind them in a hands-on
                                                                                                                         way. And though the approach was light-hearted,
                                                                                                                                                                                                     in partnership programs, working
                                                                                                                                                                                                     groups, faculties and events. The
                                                                                                                                                                                                     tasks included strategic planning,
     4,000 student par­ticipants, the Freshman                in which two or three alumni volunteers super­             it was fundamentally based on people’s experience                           corporate cooperation, mentoring,
     Adventure is the biggest event for new stu­              vised students in creating their LinkedIn alter            and expertise”, a third volunteer noted.                                    commenting, lecturing, recording
     dents in Finland. As part of the event, student          egos. Once the profile had been created, the group                                                                                     information, proof-reading and
     teams complete tasks in the centre of Helsinki           presented it to the alumni, who gave it a score                                                                                        reviewing contact details.
     at control points manned by representatives of           and constructive feedback. Finally the group
     the Student Union, student organisations, the            could have a photo taken of their contribution.                                                                                        If you are interested, register and
     University and its partners. The adventure often         The alumni control point drew a big crowd, and                                                                                         tell us what kind of volunteer work
     culminates in an after-party.                            the photographer in attendance had no time for                                                                                         you would like to do in 2018 for the
        This year, the purpose of the Alumni Asso­            breaks. The fun task had an important message                                                                                          benefit of current and former stu-
     ciation’s control point was to train students in         behind it: alumni are happy to help students high­                                                                                     dents and the achievement of the
     using LinkedIn for job-seeking.                          light their strengths so they can land their dream                                                                                     University’s strategic objectives.
        Everyone’s LinkedIn persona is an enhanced ver-       job. The alumni volunteers were Anna Autere,
     sion of their real self. How should students present     Hilkka Karvinen, Sari Malka, Juha Nurmonen,                                                                                            If you wish to participate in
     themselves on LinkedIn? Turn the cashier job at          Minna Palander-­Collin, Eino Timola and Ville                                                                                          academic volunteer work in 2018,
     your local supermarket into a successful sales rep, a    Tolvanen.                                                                                                                              please register at
     substitute teacher into a rising star of edu­cational       “It was a fun control point, and the students                                                                                       https://www.helsinki.fi/en/
     sciences, and a security guard into a national securi-   really gave it their all. It exceeded my expec­tations”,                                                                               alumniassociation/volunteering
     ty pro! How far can you stretch the line of credibil-    said one of the volunteers.

26   Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER                                                                                                                                                                   Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER   27
Startled, her co-worker says that she would
                                                                                                                             never dare to do that. After having thought
                                                                                                                             for a moment, she states that it is not the only
                                                                                                                             thing Kivelä has dared to do in her life.

                                                                                                                             Kivelä’s experience      as a student on the
                                                                                                                             Kumpula and Viikki campuses was exceptional,
                                                                                                                             as she gave birth to her first child in the spring of
                                                                                                                             1998. At the time, she was 21, studying chemis­
                                                                                                                             try as her major subject for the second year and
                                                                                                                             cramming for the entrance examination for food
                                                                                                                             sciences.
                                                                                                                                “Maternity leave was a great opportunity
                                                                                                                             to take a break and prepare for the entrance
                                                                                                                             exam,” Kivelä says.
                                                                                                                                The young Kivelä found chemistry to be too
                                                                                                                             extensive. When the lectures explored the disper­
                                                                                                                             sal of molecules in space, the whole world – or at
                                                                                                                             least the world of chemistry – seemed too open,
                                                                                                                             which made the pragmatic Kivelä anxious. Then
                                                                                                                             she found food science in the course catalogue.
                                                                                                                                “It gave me a framework. Chemistry was
                                                                                                                             studied in relation to foods, which made the
                                                                                                                             whole thing easier to approach.”
                                                                                                                                Kivelä and her family moved to a student
                                                                                                                             building in Viikki where all the other residents
                                                                                                                             also had children. When one of the mothers
                                                                                                                             went to attend a lecture, the others would look
                                                                                                                             after her child. If this was impossible, Kivelä’s
                                                                                                                             daughter would sleep in a pram with a baby
                                                                                                                             monitor outside the lecture room.
                                                                                                                                “It’s nice to be at home with kids, but it’s not
                                                                                                                             intellectually stimulating. Studying and taking

                                                                          A     lumna of the Year 2018, Reetta Kivelä,
                                                                                Chief Technology Officer of the
                                                                          Gold&Green Foods start-up, and the oat-based
                                                                                                                             examinations suited my life perfectly,” Kivelä
                                                                                                                             explains.
                                                                                                                                She could not attend all lectures due to her

                  Dare to be different                                    plant protein known as pulled oats that she
                                                                          developed have been subject of more hype in
                                                                                                                             role as a mother. One of her most unpleasant
                                                                                                                             memories is how she had to substitute for an
                                                                          Finnish media than probably any other food         easy basic-studies lecture series by “memorizing
                                                                          product or food scientist.                         a huge pile of books as retribution”.
                   Alumna of the Year Reetta Kivelä gave birth to three     But, during an interview at Gold&Green              “It was frustrating, but it’s not that bad. In a
                   children while studying. She completed her Master’s    Foods’ product development facilities in the       way, it’s par for the course.”
                      degree on schedule, but missed out on student       Arabia district of Helsinki, Kivelä appears sur­      Her best memories relate to when she un­
                     activities and summer jobs. Her development of       prisingly ordinary. She seems down-to-earth,       derstood the framework, or “matrix”, of food
                                                                          approachable and a little self-conscious. You      science as a whole and how different aspects are
                   pulled oats was inspired by her own experiences as a   would not believe that she is accustomed to        interlinked.
                                working vegetarian mother.                doing things differently.                             “I learned to study and experienced quite a
                                                                            There are no clean coffee cups. Without a        ‘flow’. I was able to keep track of the big picture
                                                                          second thought, Kivelä opens the dishwasher        and easily add pieces to it. That’s an experience
                                                                          mid-cycle and grabs the required cups.             I have since carried with me.”

28   Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER                                                                                                             Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER   29
Kivelä slowed       her pace in 2000 when she had

                                                                                                                                                                                                  Valtteri Kantanen
Alumna of the Year                        twins. She only had her Master’s thesis to write,
                                          which was delayed by a year when Kivelä stayed
• Reetta Kivelä, born in                 at home with her three daughters.
  Hämeenlinna in February 1977               In her Master’s thesis, Kivelä used old formu­
• Chief Technology Officer at            las she had found in the literature to synthesise
   Gold&Green Foods                       the oxidation products of stigmasterol for use by
                                          other researchers. Stigmasterol is the same soy
• Known as the developer of
                                          lipid-derived phytosterol found, for example, in
  pulled oats
                                          Benecol products.
• Studied chemistry at the                  Kivelä found her thesis work hard going. She
  Kumpula Campus from 1996                was close to tears many times as she struggled in
  to 1998 and food science at             a laboratory for a few months, unable to produce                                                                      Pulled oats
  Viikki from 1998 to 2003                stigmasterol.
• Her Master’s thesis, completed            But the synthetization and related reporting                                                                       • Developed by Gold&Green Foods,
   in 2003, involved the syntheti­        were eventually successful, and her thesis was                                                                           pulled oats are a protein-rich
   zation of stigmasterol for the         passed with the grade of cum laude approbatur.                                                                           plant product that can be used in
   use of other researchers                  “I haven’t even opened my thesis since then.                                                                          cooking similarly to minced meat.
                                          At that point, the only thing that mattered was                                                                       • The product contains not only
• Developed production
                                          getting it done.”                                     and I had received excellent grades for general                   oats, but also yellow peas and
   processes at the Atria sausage
                                             Kivelä was successful in reconciling her studies   studies, which was possibly considered ex­                        broad beans.
   and salad factories in Forssa
                                          with family life, but she had to pay a price.         tenuating circumstances.”
   from 2004 to 2007                                                                                                                                            • One hundred grams of the
                                             She missed out on traditional student life,           Researchers have shown that oat beta-glucan
• Postgraduate student at the                                                                                                                                    product contain some 30 grams
                                          with its parties and adventures. In addition,         lowers LDL cholesterol and helps keep blood
   Viikki-based University of                                                                                                                                     of protein, 4 grams of fat, 10
                                          she never had a summer job. She first entered         sugar levels even. However, as anyone who has
   Helsinki research group in                                                                                                                                     grams of carbohydrate and 3
                                          employment in her field after she had graduated       ever made oat porridge knows, the fibre has a
   crop technology from 2007                                                                                                                                      grams of fibre.
                                          with a Master’s degree.                               slimy texture, which means it can easily block
   to 2011                                   “For some reason it wasn’t considered a            factory filters.
• Her doctoral dissertation on           weakness that I had spent all my summers as a            Another problem with beta-glucan for in­
   the causes of the breaking             student taking care of my children.”                  dustry was the fact that it changes its state
   down of oat beta-glucan                   In her first job at the food and environ­mental    uncontrollably. For example, an oat drink may             “It’s impossible to fully prevent beta-glucan
   in industrial processes                laboratory in Hämeenliina, Kivelä was the             initially be quite thick as a result of beta-glucan,   from breaking down, and due to industrial
   was selected as the 2011               super­visor of five laboratory assistants.            but when stored, it may become runny. Kivelä’s         processes it’s actually beneficial. But it’s impor­
   dissertation of the year in               “No one had told us that we would im­              dissertation supervisor, Tuula Sontag-Strohm,          tant to know the process to be able to control
   applied biosciences at the             mediately work as supervisors. It was initially       tasked her with finding out why this happens.          it,” Kivelä states.
   University of Helsinki                 quite a shock for someone with no previous               “It was a highly applied research question             Her doctoral dissertation was selected in
                                          work experience.”                                     that above all required concrete problem-­             2011 as the dissertation of the year in applied
• Head of research at Fazer
                                                                                                solving,” Kivelä points out.                           biosciences at the University of Helsinki.
   from 2011 to 2015
                                          Kivelä soon moved      to another job running            The research group discovered, for the first           “It was cool to find the reason for the
• Founded Gold&Green Foods               development projects at the Atria sausage and         time in the world, that beta-glucan is broken          breaking down of oat fibre. I was alone in the
   together with her friend Maija         salad factory in Forssa, but after three years she    down during storage, a process that is explained       world to defend my finding at conferences. At
   Itkonen in 2015 and became a           returned to academia. In 2007 she was selected        by factors including the oxidation of the fibre        first I had to stand up for my results, but fur­
   start-up entrepreneur                  to join the University of Helsinki research group     molecule. The researchers also found new oxi­          ther research confirmed my original finding.”
• Mother of four children born in        in crop technology to complete her dissertation       dation reactions.
  1998, 2000 (twins) and 2006             on beta-glucan, the healthy oat fibre.                   Both ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, and iron          Kivelä worked as head of research at Fazer
                                            She should not actually have been allowed to        acce­lerate the oxidation of beta-glucan and,          for four years, trying to establish, for example,
• Hobbies include experimental
                                          embark on doctoral studies because they require       thus, its breaking down. This finding was im­          how the refinement of cocoa beans into choco­
   gardening at her cabin as well
                                          a grade of magna cum laude or higher from the         portant because the food industry usually uses         late affects their antioxidants, flavanols.
   as creative writing
                                          Master’s thesis.                                      ascorbic acid for the opposite reason, i.e., to           In autumn 2014, Kivelä’s childhood friend,
                                            “The rules were not applied as strictly then,       prevent the product from oxidising.                    the entrepreneur Maija Itkonen, tapped into

30   Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER                                                                                                                                       Alumni Association | MEMBER LETTER      31
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