NS4187en

This story is also available in the languages above

ANOTHER SUCCESS FOR FINLAND'S INNOVATION SYSTEM
A sophisticated, new learning factory links electronics students at many educational levels with businesses in the Helsinki area

Fig 1 - High Resolution download - Click Here
Fig 2 - High Resolution download - Click Here

An exciting new world is unfolding in a business park near Helsinki Airport, where Electria, a manufacturing/learning factory (see photograph), has launched a new way of blending education with research and product development in the fields of electronics and micro-system technology.

The Finnish concept of the learning factory differs from other comparable European initiatives because Electria brings together the needs of a range of different educational levels and those of companies under one roof. As a result, the learning factory and its training premises are used in vocational and polytechnic education as well as by businesses. The collaborative partners are universities and colleges, including Evtek Institute of Technology and the well-known Helsinki University of Technology.

From high schools to universities

Electria is looking to the future too: its premises and services are also available to science high schools in the Helsinki region. 'Our aim is to develop young people's interest in technology and the electronics industry,' explains Heikki Tupola, head of the factory. 'We are lucky to have fertile soil here in Finland, because our pupils' mathematical skills are among the best in the world, according to a recent international Pisa study.'

The Electria electronics learning factory, which kicked off in the spring of 2004, has already begun to fulfil its potential. The training premises, which Electria supports with a broad network of experts, serve not only educational institutions, but also companies' training needs, while the state-of-the-art factory provides an effective product development and testing environment.

State-of-the-art technology

Electria's focus is on surface-mounting technology and related soldering techniques, precision mechanics, micro-systems, and clean room culture and technology.

'Our aim is to help companies succeed, 'says Tupola. 'In the near future, we are building laboratories for the companies, as well as a clean room serving both companies and students.'

Backers from academia and business

Electria is located near Helsinki's International Airport in a business park built by Technopolis, a group which develops business environments for high-tech companies. Electria's backers and investors include educational institutions in the Helsinki region and in the neighbouring city of Vantaa, as well as the local business community. This area is the centre of education and research in Finland, and home to eight of the country's universities as well as polytechnics.

International interest

The Electria concept has already raised international interest - especially in Europe and in the Far East - not only for its originality, but thanks to the high reputation of Finland's education system and the country's pioneering spirit in the field of innovation. The learning factory is a model application of Finnish innovation whereby producers and users of information and knowledge are studied as a whole, rather than as separate entities. Key tools include increasing research and development funding and a strong emphasis on know-how and education.

Number one for creativity

Helsinki was ranked as number one in Europe for competitiveness in terms of creativity, knowledge economy, sectoral productivity performance, and economic performance (European Competitiveness Index, ECI, 2004). The high ranking is based on investment in research and development, patent applications and the number of people employed in the ICT field in both the private and public sectors.

For additional information, please contact:

Factory head Heikki Tupola, Electria,
mobile +358 40 578 4561;
e-mail: heikki.tupola@evtek.fi

More information on the Helsinki Region: www.helsinkiregion.com
More information on the Finnish innovation system: www.tekes.fi/eng/