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Newsletter of the University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute  |  12.5.2025  

SOCIETALLY IMPACTFUL RESEARCH, EXPERTISE, AND SOLUTIONS 

Celebrating 25th Anniversary

Kerttu Saalasti Institute celebrates 25th anniversary this year. We celebrate in social media throughout the year, and in our traditional Kerttu Saalasti seminar in 23th of September. We also offer new brochure to take a glimpse of our institute: what we do, what are our values and missions. 

Microentrepreneurship Centre MicroENTRE had a theme month in Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Threads in March and now it is Future Manufacturing Technologies (FMT) reasearch groups turn in May. Read about FMT group´s staff and projects on Facebook and LinkedIn.

University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute: Regional, National, and International Impact Since 2000 

University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Insitute turns 25 this year. During its years of operation, it has grown into a research institute with a nationally and internationally significant research profile and a strong cooperation network. In its fields of expertise, the Institute conducts pioneering research whose societal significance has been proven to be exceptional. 

NEWS

Finland Back on the Global Map in Entrepreneurship Research – Fear of Failure on the Rise Worldwide 

The University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute, together with Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, has been entrusted with collecting and analyzing data on entrepreneurship in Finland for the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) over the next three years. Founded by Babson College in the U.S. and London Business School, the GEM study has now been conducted for 25 years. It remains the only globally comparable research carried out at the population level that measures entrepreneurial activity and related trends. According to GEM, a current global observation is that the fear of failure is on the rise. 

Added Value from Sustainable Energy Business – With Support from STEK, EU Funding Secured for University of Oulu Project 

Promoting the green transition is one of Finland’s key objectives. The current geopolitical situation is accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels and motivating increased energy self-sufficiency. Finland’s national climate and energy strategy emphasizes the electrification of the energy system and the benefits of system integration. The strategy also includes a national hydrogen strategy aimed at advancing the hydrogen economy and the use of synthetic fuels. 

We are Seeking a Research Director for Sustainable Energy Business

The University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute is looking for a Research Director for Sustainable Energy Business for a permanent position starting in June 2025 or as agreed. The call is open internationally.

BOCOD Project to Strengthen the Continuity of Rural Businesses in Finland, Ireland, and Iceland 

The three-year BOCOD project (Boosting Continuity and Digitalisation of Rural Region Businesses), launched in April 2025, brings new momentum to rural businesses in Finland, Ireland, and Iceland. In these regions, business continuity and vitality are challenged by geographic remoteness, an aging population, and a declining number of business successors. 

Revitalizing Rural Areas through Technology and Community – The SMART ERA Project Explores the Potential of the Platform Economy 

Rural areas in Northern Ostrobothnia are being developed through smart solutions and the strength of local communities. The region plays a key role in the international SMART ERA project, which aims to find new ways to enhance vitality in rural areas. In Finland, the pilot municipalities are Alavieska, Kalajoki, and Nivala. 

The Rector Reaches Out to Research Units: Research Groups, City, and Industrial Village Highlighted in Nivala 

Promoting the green transition is one of Finland’s key objectives. The current geopolitical situation is accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels and motivating increased energy self-sufficiency. Finland’s national climate and energy strategy emphasizes the electrification of the energy system and the benefits of system integration. The strategy also includes a national hydrogen strategy aimed at advancing the hydrogen economy and the use of synthetic fuels. 

Steel Expertise and Digital Methods for Timber Hybrid Structures 

The use of timber has increased globally, especially in large-scale construction projects, which has created a growing need to develop wood products and their installation methods. In Northern Ostrobothnia, a consortium focused on developing timber hybrid structures has received a total of €689,085 in funding from the Renewing and Skilled Finland 2021–2027 EU regional and structural policy programme. The two-year Modern Competitive Hybrid Structures (TeräsPuu) project utilizes the excellent properties of ultra-high-strength steels developed in the region to improve wood products as hybrid structures. The aim is to enhance their suitability for various applications while reducing their carbon footprint. 

PUBLICATIONS

Publication: Health and Life Science Business Incubators have Special Features 

Business incubators can help promote the innovation activities of entrepreneurs and small businesses. A new publication by the University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute examines the special characteristics of health and life-science business incubators and proposes best practices for health and life-science business incubators in North Ostrobothnia. 

COURSES

We're thrilled to announce our new Micro-Entrepreneurship study module for the academic year 2025-2026, offered through our Open University! For our English-speaking community, we're pleased to highlight that some courses within this comprehensive module will be available in English, providing you with valuable knowledge and practical skills to thrive as a micro-entrepreneur. 

Registration for the Micro-Entrepreneurship study module opens in June. 

EVENTS

Turn Your Ideas into Action with the 2nd OYSTER Pre-incubator Program! 

Are you an entrepreneur, researcher, student, or professional passionate about digital health, life science, health technology, or well-being? This is your chance to bring your ideas to life!  

Join us this fall for the 2nd OYSTER Pre-incubator program – a dynamic platform designed to help you validate your business idea and kickstart your journey.  

Program duration is 100 days (approximately 14 weeks) starting in September. After completing the Pre-incubator phase, you can apply to the OYSTER Incubator for further development and market entry. There are approximately 10 half-day training sessions over 14 weeks, plus ongoing support between modules. 

In OYSTER Incubator you get:  

- Personalized coaching and guidance 

- Excellent networking opportunities 

- An inspiring atmosphere with like-minded innovators 

Apply by 6th of June! 

Can Sustainable Development be Profitable? Discussions on Meat, Fish and Climate

As part of our ongoing ClimateFood project, we are organizing a short discussion webinar titled: "Can Sustainable Development Be Profitable? Discussions on Meat, Fish, and Climate" on Friday, May 23, from 10:00 to 11:00 in Zoom.

We warmly welcome meat and fish producers and processors from Northern Finland and Northern Sweden, and others interested in the topic to join the conversation.

During the webinar, we will discuss the following themes:

- Perspectives on meat and fish production – where are we now, and where are we headed?

- Sustainable production – what are we already doing, and what could we do together?

- Young people’s eating habits – how can we encourage youth to choose responsible meat and fish options?

The goal of the webinar is to share good practices and promote sustainability within the meat and fish sectors. The webinar is kept in both Finnish and Swedish. 

BLOG

Reflections on PDAC Convention 2025: Observations from the Field 

Participation in the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2025 in Toronto provided a valuable opportunity to represent the AGEMERA project at one of the most prominent global events in the field of mineral exploration and development. As this was my first time attending PDAC, expectations were based on the official programme and the focus on Horizon Europe success stories in innovation and technology. 

Sustainable Wood Construction in a Changing Climate – Adapt, Evolve, and Stand Out 

Growing up as an Expert – How can Networks Support Expertise and Learning? 

"One day I was an intern, the next day an expert." This is how Miia Oja from Utajärven Yrityspuisto Oy (Utajärvi Business Park), a business expert in KASVA project, describes one of the turning points of her working life. What is it like to grow up as an expert? How does expertise develop? And what role do networks play in this process? 

Motorsport Together – Motorsport and Cooperation in Nivala 

For the first time, a Motorsport Together event was held at the Nivala Technology Centre in March 2025, which brought together almost 100 participants from the Nivala-Haapajärvi region (Nivala, Haapajärvi, Sievi, Reisjärvi, Kärsämäki, Oulainen, Pyhäjärvi) and neighbouring municipalities. The event brought together organisers of motorsport events, providers of accommodation, catering and programme services, as well as creative professionals, including performing artists. The event aimed to promote cooperation between organisers, service providers, local authorities and motorsport operators. 

Future Manufacturing Technologies at FMT Days – Over 20 Years of Pioneering Innovation and Bold Ideas 

Spring in Nivala once again brings one of Finland’s most important gatherings in industrial research: the FMT Days. Organized annually by the University of Oulu’s Future Manufacturing Technologies (FMT) research group, this event brings together researchers, companies, and experts to explore the latest developments in production technologies – and, more importantly, to shape the future. 

The BIOTUTO Project Supporting Regional Biogas Business Development 

A year has passed since the launch of the BIOTUTO project, and the journey towards sustainable circular economy and bioenergy production continues strong. The project aimes at promoting bioenergy and circular economy solutions in the Nivala-Haapajärvi region until summer 2026. It has already been observed that the project has an impact by providing guidelines for self-sufficient energy farms and laying the groundwork for planned bioenergy investments in the region. The project is also in the process of creating a guidebook to facilitate biogas agreements between farmers and biogas plants. 

Developing Municipal Preparedness – The Key Role of Businesses in Crisis Management 

Municipal and business preparedness for crises and disruptions is becoming increasingly important in a rapidly changing world. As part of the NOHEVA project, ten municipalities in Northern Ostrobothnia were interviewed on the theme of preparedness, and the findings were used to select the topics for the February workshops. The workshop series provided a unique opportunity to deepen understanding of preparedness and develop concrete models for collaboration between municipalities and businesses. In this blog post, we summarize the key insights and recommendations from the workshop series. 

A look at Micro-Entrepreneurship Research: Aligning with the EU’s Competitiveness Agenda 

Micro-entrepreneurship plays a vital role in global and regional economies, driving innovation, employment, and resilience. However, research on micro-entrepreneurship—particularly in Europe—remains underdeveloped. This gap limits our understanding of how to foster a more competitive and dynamic micro-business sector. 

Alternative Futures for Northern Ostrobothnia 

What will North Ostrobothnia be like in 2050? For the first time, the Council of Oulu Region carried out a scenario study together with the Uusimaa Regional Council. The scenarios were published at the end of February. The scenarios highlighted global technology, the European Renaissance, the welfare economy, refugees and polarisation. 

KASVA Mid-term Review: Towards Sustainable Growth and Regional Vitality 

KASVA - Sustainable growth for micro and small enterprises through regional cooperation between RDI actors and business services - is now at the half-way point. In January 2025, project actors held a "mid-term meeting" to present relevant studies and to take stock of achievements. The event provided valuable information on business growth, regional development and prospects. The key themes of the event were knowledge-based decision-making, anticipating vitality and supporting sustainable growth. 

What Unites Impressive Stories, Authoritative Board Members, Incisive Rhetoric and Creative Combining of Resources at Hand? 

At first glance, the things in the title may not seem to belong together. For example, what could skilful storytelling, appointing well-known people to the company's board, provocative argumentation and creative combination of resources in unstable operating environments have in common? 

Managing the Optimal State of Alertness Supports Work and Learning 

Have you ever met people in meetings who just can’t listen, but fill the space with their own voice? Or those who are always somehow hyperactive and unable to listen? On the other hand, someone might be passive and withdrawn, as if their "receiver" is completely jammed. 

International Collaboration in the Field of Virtual Power Plants 

In the international COPOWER project involving 20 partner organizations, community-driven virtual power plants are being developed to modernize the management of decentralized energy production. The project tests and develops solutions where small energy production systems are intelligently integrated into a larger entity. The goal is to balance energy production and consumption while enhancing existing energy networks without significant infrastructure changes. The FMT research group from the Kerttu Saalasti Institute at the University of Oulu and Centria University of Applied Sciences in Kokkola are participating as Finnish partners, advancing pilot projects at the practical application level. 

Creativity Belongs to Everyone 

Have you ever wondered why children are so full of ideas and enthusiasm, while as adults we often become more cautious and set in our ways? Creativity is not just the privilege of artists or those in the creative and cultural sectors – creativity exists in all of us. Creativity is the ability to see the world with fresh eyes, to combine things without prejudice, and to find solutions that others have not yet noticed. But why does creativity seem to disappear as we grow into adults? 

Excerpts From a Researcher’s Travel Journal 

Internationality and research visits bring a special flavor to the work of a researcher. This autumn, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit England and Iceland as part of my research on resilience. Both trips opened new perspectives, provided inspiration, and deepened my understanding of the importance of resilience for entrepreneurs. 

Innovation Activities: The Key to Future Success 

Innovation has emerged as one of the most critical factors in determining the future success of businesses and societies. Through innovation, it is possible to create new – or improve existing – products, services, and processes that, once implemented, can enhance a company's competitiveness and drive its financial growth. Innovation doesn’t necessarily mean flip charts, post-it notes, or coffee breaks; at its best, it is about developing effective solution models and co-creating new ideas together with partners. Tools to support this have also been developed and piloted in the KASVA project. 

The Power of Collaboration in the Use of AI, Growth Leadership, and Building the Future

At the end of November 2024, Koillis-Suomi Development Company Naturpolis Oy invited entrepreneurs, business service providers, and municipal decision-makers to Business Forum Ruka and KASVA-karkelot events in Kuusamo. The two-day gathering featured a wide array of inspiring talks, ranging from artificial intelligence to growth leadership and from the connection between science and emotion to the future of tourism. The common theme uniting all sessions was collaboration. 

Technology Models Help Entrepreneurs in Technology Acquisitions 

The word "technology" includes different things we use to solve the problems we face. Technology can mean many things. For example, it can mean various physical devices, processes, and digital software. When we discuss technology with someone else, their perception of technology is likely different from ours due to the complexity of the topic. This mismatch of thoughts may lead to misunderstanding and further errors in technology-related decision-making. 

Extending the Season Brings New Opportunities for Tourism in North Ostrobothnia 

Extension of the tourist season and strengthening of cooperation are the key issues in the development of tourism in North Ostrobothnia. Extending the seasons does not only mean increasing tourism revenues, but it also allows for a steadier income stream for local entrepreneurs and reduces the economic uncertainty caused by low season months. It is also hoped that there will be genuine cooperation rather than competition between the different tourism operators. This was the conclusion reached by tourism professionals, entrepreneurs and other cultural operators in the region at the North Ostrobothnia Tourism Forum held in November 2024 in Oulu. 

INTRODUCING EMPLOYEES

Ahmed Abdelghany: Turning Big Ideas into Real-World Solutions 

Starting my career in Oulu has been nothing short of an adventure. As a PostDoc researcher at the University of Oulu, I get to dive into multidisciplinary research where technology meets sustainability and occasionally bump heads with it! My goal is to turn ambitious ideas into practical solutions while keeping things interesting “because who wants boring research?”. 

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University of Oulu, Kerttu Saalasti Institute
Pajatie 5, 85500 Nivala
email: firstname.surname@oulu.fi

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