Legendary Student Event FBI-DAY Turns 25!
What on earth is FBI-DAY? That’s surely a question many students have asked when hearing about the event for the first time.
Since 2001, this somewhat mysterious event has brought together more than 6,500 students of bioproducts, chemistry, process, and forest industry engineering over the past 25 years. More than 50 different forest industry companies have introduced themselves to these young talents.
But where did it all begin in the early 2000s? We got the answer from the initiator of FBI-DAY and PI’s CEO from 1999 to 2016, Pirkko Molkentin-Matilainen.
How FBI-DAY Started:
“When I began as PI’s leader in 1999, I was asked to radically renew the association. Young people and international activities were strongly emphasized as priorities. FBI-DAY was, at the time, the first and only event that brought together students from all university locations in the field every year.
It quickly became the most important and anticipated event of the year for students. The main speakers were usually CEOs of companies, sharing insights on the forest cluster’s outlook. At company stands, students could get to know the businesses, apply for summer jobs, or look for thesis topics. Networking—both with students from other universities and with company representatives—was the number one focus of the event.”
Photo: Pirkko giving the opening speech at FBI-DAYin 2015.
Where Does the Name FBI-DAY Come From?
“FBI is an abbreviation for Forest-Based Industries, which was used at the time in EU research programs (including framework and technology programs for the forest industry). FBI seemed like a good acronym for the new student event – easy to remember and it evokes something intriguing. It’s a bit mysterious and has clearly proven to be a successful choice.”
The Significance of FBI Day Now and in the Future
According to PI’s CEO Antti Lindgvist, FBI Day is a legendary event eagerly anticipated each year by both students and companies. There is still a clear need for the event, and its importance continues to grow: in times of uncertainty, it is crucial to motivate students in the field and bring them together to network and meet leading companies.
“In my opinion, FBI Day is a massive joint excursion for all forest industry student guilds, and it remains a completely unique concept for both students and companies. It enhances our students’ understanding of what the forest industry can offer today and, at its best, is a generational experience,” Antti states.
Antti has also experienced FBI-DAY as a participant during his student years in the early 2000s.
FBI-DAY is part of my own youth and study history as well. As a student in the early 2000s, the fun evening with fellow students from my own and other guilds was, of course, the main attraction. Sometimes the return bus rides were the best part of the trip. Later, as a young professional, it was even a somewhat competitive honor to get a spot at your company’s stand, and for many years we ‘organized’ a big group of old student friends to join the event. Now, as an organizer myself, FBI-DAY still offers the chance to meet many great colleagues or familiar faces from student days – and, of course, smart young people.”
Photo: Antti giving the opening speech in 2017.
The Anniversary FBI Day Will Be Held on January 28 in Turku!
A long-standing tradition of the event is to organize it in different university cities across Finland, always in collaboration with a local student guild in the field. In 2026, Finnish Forest Products Engineers' Association will partner with Åbo Akademi’s Kemistklubben students to make the event happen.
The goal of this collaboration is to provide students with valuable hands-on experience in professional skills during their studies, such as practical event organization, booth sales, and marketing. With more than 200 participants, the students’ contribution is invaluable!
Student Emilia Hiltunen was part of the organizing team for the 2024 event in Tampere on behalf of TAMK’s Paperikerho. Emilia shared her thoughts on participating in FBI-DAY both as an attendee and as an organizer:
“I’ve had the honor of experiencing FBI-DAY both as a participant and as a member of the organizing team. My first encounter with the event was in Oulu in 2023. The day – with its speakers, networking opportunities, and evening program – made a big impression, and the following year it was exciting to be part of organizing the event. After that, I returned as a participant again, and with three years of experience I can say that the event has brought me countless friends, networks, and even a summer job or two. And above all: it’s been fun, every single time!”
Photo: Emilia in the center with friends Roosa and Jenna at FBI-DAY 2023.
Registration for FBI Day 2026 opens on December 10 at 12:00!
You can find more information about the upcoming event and the registration link HERE! Welcome to join us, and see you in Turku in January!