University of Vaasa and ABB agree on extensive strategic cooperation in education and research – New initiative focuses on energy resilience and supply security

As a new initiative, the University of Vaasa and ABB will promote multidisciplinary research and development related to energy resilience and supply security. This will be implemented through company specific doctoral education and jointly funded doctoral education positions for doctoral candidates from ABB. Additionally, mentoring and opportunities for project and thesis work, as well as internships and summer jobs at ABB, will be offered to students interested in the field and making progress in their studies.

The cooperation will also expand to include student innovation activities, such as the joint Startup space of Vaasa’s higher education institutions, opened in October, which supports new experiments, networking, and the development of entrepreneurial skills.

“Our new strategic agreement with the University of Vaasa enables long-term and mutual commitment to the development of education. ABB Finland plays an important role within the Group; for example, one in seven of ABB employees in Finland is involved in developing new products, services, or technologies. This requires continuous development of our staff’s skills as part of our lifelong learning culture. The working life is also undergoing a transformation and requires new kinds of skills,” says Pekka Tiitinen, Managing Director of ABB Oy. “With this agreement, our cooperation with the University of Vaasa will expand to include not only technical education but also management training and various tailored continuing and further education opportunities for ABB staff. Ensuring future talent is also crucial. Our business units in Vaasa work closely with educational institutions to ensure that graduates from the University of Vaasa are well-prepared to meet our recruitment needs.”

“In line with the university’s strategy, we aim for increased and broader research and educational cooperation with companies. This strategic partnership agreement with ABB is a significant step towards a more sustainable future. It brings new solutions for achieving sustainable energy and business and creates new opportunities for our students and researchers. Through this cooperation, we aim to ensure that in all fields of our university – business, technology, and social sciences – we train experts for ABB’s needs. Our collaboration serves as an example of how working together we can achieve more and create a more sustainable and research-oriented society for all,” says Minna Martikainen, Rector of the University of Vaasa.

The University of Vaasa and ABB have collaborated in various fields for a long time. Existing forms of cooperation, such as research laboratories and research collaboration related to flexible energy resources, modern power systems, and smart solutions, will continue under the agreement. A new WSTAR laboratory is also under construction. The newly signed strategic agreement extends, diversifies, and deepens the cooperation. The university and ABB are committed to advancing the green transition and achieving sustainable development goals through multidisciplinary experiments.