Sharing Best Practices in Forest Industry
The PI Scholarship Gala offers timely perspectives on higher education in the forest industry, attracting international talent, and the use of AI and digital tools in education and working life.
Throughout the day, we’ll hear inspiring keynote speeches, join engaging discussions, and enjoy pitch presentations by young researchers. The event culminates in the awarding of scholarships and a relaxed evening gathering at Linnanpiha – with bubbles, music, and networking.
The event will be held in English.
The event dresscode: Dark suit
Invited guests have received a personal invitation to the event and can register through the link provided in the invitation.
See the preliminary program below and join us to be inspired, connect, and celebrate together!
A member of PI: Register to the event from this link!
Note! Invited guests must register through a personal link sent to them by email.
Preliminary program of the day:
The chair of the day will be the science reporter Nina Pulkkis
12.00 Lunch & registration
13.00 Welcome & outlook for higher education in forest industry today
Antti Lindqvist, CEO, Finnish Forest Products Engineers’ Association
13.10 Keynote: Talent Boost – attracting and keeping foreign talents in Finnish industries
Kaisu Piiroinen, Senior Ministerial Advisor, Ministry of Education and Culture
13.30 Panel discussion: Integrating foreign talents in university studies and worklife – best practices
Owain Hopeaketo, Project Manager, International Experts, TEK
Maristiina Nurmi, Senior lecturer, Åbo Akademi
Kaisu Piiroinen, Senior Ministerial Advisor, Ministry of Education and Culture
14.05 Keynote: Digital learning and AI in education: a threat or an opportunity?
Kirsti Lonka, Professor of Educational Psychology, Helsinki University
14.25 Panel discussion: Novel use of AI and digital tools in universities and industry
Lauri Rautkari, Associate Professor, Aalto University
Virpi Puhakka, Director, Ecosystem, Valmet
Vera Hallikainen, Development Manager, Finnish Forest Products Engineers’ Association
Kirsti Lonka, Professor of Educational Psychology, Helsinki University
15.00 Coffee and networking
15.30 Acknowledging PI scholarships 2025
Antti Lindqvist, CEO & Donika Morina, Project Manager, PI
15.45 Keynote: Endless opportunities of sustainable wood-based materials – requirements for impactful research
Raisa Vermasvuori, VP, Technology, UPM
16.05 Pitch presentations by Marcus Wallenberg Young Researchers
- Pauliina Ahokas, VTT, Tailoring pulp and plasticizer blends for high-performance regenerated cellulose materials via mixture design
- Giiguulen Enkhsaikhan, Aalto University, LYOHEMICELL: Opportunities and challenges of hemicellulose rich Lyocell fibers
- Xiang Hu, University of Turku, Advancing Sustainability in the Forest-Based Industry through Life Cycle Assessment: Tools for a Circular Bioeconomy
- Joel Kostensalo, LUKE, Towards a Digital twin of boreal forest biodiversity
- Zonghong Lu, Åbo Akademi University, Scalable Production of Customizable and Functional Cellulose-based Foam via Oven-drying
- Moaaz Safwa, LUT University, Enhancing Fiber-Based Packaging: Comparative Modeling and Innovation in Press Forming and Thermoforming of Paperboard
- Nissa Nurfajrin Solihat, Aalto University, Lignin’s Function in Building Insulation: Addressing EU Regulatory and Environmental Challenges
- Tuuli Virkkala, VTT, Evidencing entropic driving force for hemicellulose and cellulose interactions in bioinspired all-polysaccharide based functional materials
- Sakari Välimäki, LUKE, AI-driven robotics for novel forest plant production
- Shiying Zhang, Aalto University, Multiscale Interface Engineering Enables Strong and Water-Resistant Wood Bonding
16.55 Wrap-up and closing the event
17.00 Bubbles, snacks and music at Linnanpiha
17.30 Scholarship gala at Linnanpiha
Toast to candidates: Kristiina Poppius-Levlin, chair of Grants and Awards Committee
Short speeches from scholarship recipients: Meri Pekki, Erfan Kimiaei & Zahra Madani
17.50 Networking continues
~ 19.30 Event ends