Aalto-EIT Masters Matchmaking Event 2023 Facilitates Connections and Collaboration

Aalto University is a member of 6 Knowledge and Innovation Communities of the European Institute of Technology (EIT) and participates in 7 double degree EIT Masters’ Programs with other leading European Universities. In 2023 in a joint effort with the EIT Communities, Aalto University organized a pilot event “Aalto-EIT Masters Matchmaking” to support international top talents find industrial thesis positions in Finland.

13 diverse organizations, ranging from multi-national corporations to start-ups, cities and regions, representing different industries and matching the thematical areas of the EIT Masters’ Programs participated in the Aalto-EIT Masters Matchmaking event. Represented organisations included: ABB, City of Helsinki, CGI, Ekotekt, Ericsson, Fortum, GIM Robotics, Halton Group, Hyperion Robotics, Kokkola Industry Park, Talent Espoo, VTT and Wärtsilä.

The Aalto-EIT Matchmaking pilot event received positive feedback from participating organisations, students, academics, and other stakeholders. Accordingly, it will be held again in an upgraded format and in combination with Aalto Thesis Day 2024 that will be in the Computer Science Building on Wednesday 2nd October at 12:30-16:00. 

Aalto Thesis Day 2024
“Isabella Oksama and Aleksi Turunen of GIM Robotics discussing with an EIT Master student” Photo Credits: EIT Digital/Lea Myyryl
Isabella Oksama and Aleksi Turunen of GIM Robotics discussing with an EIT Master student, Photo Credits: EIT Digital/Lea Myyryläinen

The European Institute of Information and Technology (EIT) was created in 2008 to strengthen Europe’s ability to innovate by nurturing entrepreneurial talent to create sustainable growth and skilled jobs in Europe. Together with its multidisciplinary ecosystem of partners from business, education and research, the EIT Communities provide opportunities for students, innovators and entrepreneurs. The EIT is a part of Horizon Europe, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. Aalto University is a member of 6 EIT Communities: EIT Climate KIC, EIT Digital, EIT InnoEnergy, EIT Manufacturing, EIT Raw Materials and EIT Urban Mobility.

The EIT is unique by making higher education an integral component of a comprehensive innovation strategy. It supports education and training activities aimed at Master and Doctoral levels, as well as professional training courses. The EIT has developed the EIT label, a quality seal awarded to education programmes fulfilling several criteria covering innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership and creativity

EIT Masters Programs are double-degree programs that:

  • Address global challenges 
  • Promote innovation and entrepreneurship activities 
  • Offer robust entrepreneurship education 
  • Integrate learning-by-doing curricula 
  • Focus on industry and business involvement 
  • Enable international and trans-organisational mobility 

Industry has an active role in EIT Masters Programs by concretizing challenge-based learning through industry cases that students tackle in their courses, summer schools and final thesis. Industrial internship placements also serve to build work experience.

EIT-Labeled Masters Programs at Aalto University are successful in attracting international talents. Industrial collaboration opportunities especially thesis placements improve the retention rate of EIT graduates. Every year around 100 EIT Master students are looking for internships, thesis placements and job opportunities.

Aalto University participates in 7 EIT Masters Programs.

EIT Urban Mobility

  • SUMT: Sustainable Urban Mobility Transitions

EIT Raw Materials

  • AMIS: Advanced Materials for Innovation & Sustainability

EIT Manufacturing

  • AM: Additive Manufacturing for Full Flexibility
  • ZD: Zero-Defect Manufacture

EIT InnoEnergy

  • ES: Energy Storage
  • SELECT: Environomical Pathways for Sustainable Energy Systems

EIT Digital

ICT Innovation with 4 Major Specialisations:

EIT-Solutions-to-Global-Challenges; source: https://eit.europa.eu/
EIT-Solutions-to-Global-Challenges; Source: https://eit.europa.eu/