Âé¶¹´«Ã½

News

Industrial Engineering and Management in Finland turns 100 years

The President of the Republic of Finland, K. J. Ståhlberg, appointed Bernhard Wuolle an Industrial Management and General Engineering professor at the University of Technology on Sep 22, 1922. Wuolle's appointment can be celebrated as the establishment of the discipline of Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM) in Finland. The field was already studied in most of the world's best technical universities before that and it has become a significant engineering field worldwide.
Bernhard Vuolle
Bernhard Wuolle

By education, Wuolle was an engineer who graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the Polytechnic Institute in 1900. He completed his skills at the Technical University of Berlin with electrical engineering studies. Thus, he was quite a versatile expert. Before entering the professorship, Wuolle served as the Director of the Finnish State Railways and the National Railway Board. He worked to electrify Finland's railway network as early as in the 1920s.

Currently, the Industrial Engineering and Management is one of the fields that produce the greatest number of graduate engineers among all technical fields in Finland. The IEM programs are the most sought-after engineering programs at Finnish universities and traditionally the most difficult to get into. It is typical for these programs that they build on the scientific elements of industrial systems engineering and focus on solving relevant management problems across industries.

At Aalto University, the Industrial Engineering and Management program focuses on selected areas of operations management, strategic management, product innovation and management, and engineering leadership in technology entrepreneurship. A central goal is to educate technology-savvy engineers to develop new technology ventures and take an active role in transforming technology-based businesses. The learning objectives emphasize students’ ability to act as problem solvers in an entrepreneurial spirit and to become reflective practitioners who have the sensitivity to develop interpersonal interaction, and a broad vision to understand the systemic and complex challenges of technology ventures, as well as the desire to continuously learn management and leadership-related issues, especially in contexts that require engineering skills.

Department of Industrial Engineering and Management

We conduct world-class research and education focusing on the creation and transformation of technology-based business.

Read more on IEM at Aalto University
Students sitting and talking together
  • Updated:
  • Published:
Share
URL copied!

Read more news

Microscope image of wavy skin tissue layer, pink and purple cells forming dense clusters
Cooperation, Studies, University Published:

Apply now: Bioengineering human tissue: Design, fabrication, analysis

Unite!’s Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) on bioengineering human tissue combines online learning with hands-on training in Germany.
Two people carrying a sign with 'IT Services' written on it and a magnifying glass icon.
University Published:

Multifactor authentication (MFA) required for all services when logging in from outside Aalto, starting 28 April 2026

The MFA policy for Aalto Login (idp.aalto.fi) will be aligned with the policy used by other Aalto services.
Three young people talking at an outdoor event with tents behind them, wearing blue and brown jackets.
University Published:
Old cream building beside modern beige block with many tall windows and a rust-coloured sculpture in front
Appointments, Cooperation Published:

Teaching and collaborating across Europe: Aalto researchers at TU Darmstadt

Hear from Aalto researchers about their experience at TU Darmstadt.