Corporate collaboration opens doors to working life for doctoral students

Over the past year, 178 new doctoral students have enrolled at Aalto University as part of a pilot programme in doctoral studies funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture. This pilot programme tests new practices in doctoral studies and was launched to help Finnish universities to respond to the growing shortage of skilled professionals, as well as to strengthen research-based innovation activities in Finland.

Right from the start of the pilot, Aalto University began building a model for corporate participation and has offered companies and organisations the opportunity to participate in the pilot. About 50 companies or organisations are already involved in the pilot, participating in doctoral thesis projects either as project partners, thesis advisors or mentors for doctoral students. The aim of the collaboration is to ease the transition of new doctors into working life and strengthen the dialogue between companies and universities. 

The majority of the doctoral student positions are in the flagship programme areas of the Research Council of Finland. At Aalto University, most places were allocated to consortia focusing on quantum technology, materials bioeconomy and artificial intelligence, all of which are coordinated by Aalto. 

 Read more to learn about our approach on aalto.fi.