The Finnish Fair Foundation is donating €3.1m to Aalto University School of Business to establish a professorship in the event industry. It will be the first professorship of its kind in Finland.
Aalto University will establish the full-time professorship in experience and event business, located within the department of marketing. The professorship is funded entirely by the donation.
The Finnish Fair Foundation said its donation is to develop the event industry, its research and education, and thereby boost its growth in Finland.
“The event industry is a globally growing sector with a significant role in Finnish business. Events serve as platforms for innovation and investment, driving long-term economic growth. The mission of the Finnish Fair Foundation is to promote Finnish business and showcase Finnish expertise. This professorship is a natural continuation of our long-standing work to develop the event industry,” said Hannu Syrjänen (picture), chair of the Foundation’s Board.
The value of the event industry in Finland is approximately €2.4bn – comparable to pharmaceutical manufacturing or mining, and larger than the textile industry. The sector employs around 20,000 people permanently and 120,000–175,000 temporarily.
The Foundation said new professorship will enable the establishment of top-level academic research and education in the event industry in Finland for at least 20 years. It will also support doctoral studies and master’s theses.
“We are delighted and grateful for the Finnish Fair Foundation’s significant contribution. This professorship brings the event industry into the realm of academic research and education, and strengthens Aalto University’s role in advancing business,” said Timo Korkeamäki, dean of Aalto University School of Business.
The official title of the position will be Professor of Experience and Event Business. The university said it would seek an internationally distinguished scholar who brings new expertise to the field and acts as a producer and distributor of knowledge across the industry, public authorities, decision-makers, and media. The recruitment process begins immediately.
Photo credit: Aatu Dorochenko
Source: www.exhibitionworld.co.uk
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