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Professor Jouko Lampinen, currently the Chairman of the Department of Computer Science, will take the reins and lead SCI to new heights.  I welcome Jouko and wish him all the best  for the years to come.

I also want to thank everybody in Aalto SCI for their commitment and hard work. The past three years have been dynamic and inspiring. Aalto University is advancing rapidly on its way to world class, and has taken major strides forward in research excellence, student-centered education and societal impact, as well as in such areas as fostering interdisciplinarity and entrepreneurial mindset.

I am especially proud of Aalto SCI’s achievements.  There is lots of evidence for research excellence. We are among the top faculties in Europe in attracting European Research Council (ERC) grants, and the national leader in such prestigious rankings as the Nature Publishing Index. We have renewed our educational programs, which is reflected in the increasing attractiveness of Aalto SCI to talented students, both from Finland and from abroad.  We have made structural changes to enable even better focusing on our core strengths, and have systematically improved our research infrastructures and facilities.  New initiatives, such as high-resolution neuroimaging, quantum technologies, and advanced information security, open exciting vistas to the future.

This spring also closes a chapter in my life. I started my professor career nearly 38 years ago, and now it is coming to a close.  It has been a huge privilege and responsibility to be able to serve science and society, to do interesting things and meet interesting people.  I am grateful for all that.

Risto Nieminen
Dean, Aalto SCI