It's worth focusing on what's good and what works and doing it seriously.
Tuomo Rönkkö, long-time chairman of the board of LUT University, says: "Lappeenranta has a lot of potential.
- Sometimes people think too much about the things that should be, he explains.- Instead of mourning what doesn't work, it's worth looking at what does. For example, building wind power is currently impossible near the eastern border, but there are plenty of other power generation opportunities in the region that are possible.
Rönkkö has practical examples to give.
- We recently heard that Neoen is already building another large electricity storage facility in Yllikkälää, and at the same time there are large solar power projects underway in the Lappeenranta region, including one of Finland's largest solar parks in Lappeenranta's Konnunsuo.In addition to the electricity generation and storage news, Rönkkö also highlights the fact that LUT University has world-class electrical and control engineering expertise and research, which has provided many successful companies with a lot of valuable knowledge capital and top employees for their business.
- For example, Professor Juha Pyrhönen, who has, among other things, been awarded a local "Our Stars" -plaque in Lappeenranta's Maria Square, is a world-renowned researcher," says Rönkkö.- He has been involved in many research projects and has helped set up companies in the area. His publications are read around the world as a benchmark for other research. Lappeenranta is really at the top of the league in electrical knowledge!
Lappeenranta's lessons helped the world
LUT University has been close to Rönkön's heart for decades. He studied there and was already interested in making a difference and combining academia and business during his studies.
- I was already a member of the student union's board during my studies, which gave me access to many things that would not have been possible through student status alone, says Rönkkö.- I was a student union representative in many places and gained the kind of experience that made me dare to take on demanding jobs at a young age, which has had a decisive impact on my later career.
Rönkkö says that his strong ties to the region have been maintained partly because of his birthplace, Parikkala, but above all the good education he received at the university has kept him closely involved in the activities of LUT. He feels that he is paying back the good he once received.
- I was chairman of the LUT board for 12 years, says Rönkkö.- I quit when my wife said it was time.
LUT University is bigger in impact than its size
Rönkkö says frankly that the LUT universities, i.e. LUT University and LAB University of Applied Sciences, are the prime engine of the Lappeenranta region. They are a source of vitality in themselves, and the added value of the research done for the benefit of industry and the diamond-bright graduates cannot be overemphasised. Rönkkö is particularly pleased that the university is doing research close to businesses.
- I am still closely involved in the university's activities and we are working on how to make public-private cooperation work better in the Advisory Board, among other things, he says.- There are many opportunities in areas such as social services, especially now that the university has started teaching social sciences, and both the welfare region and the city are open to new forms of cooperation in the face of major challenges such as an ageing population and dwindling funds.
The excellence in electrical and control engineering mentioned earlier is also an asset that cannot be easily matched. Other regional paths to success can also be found in energy solutions and fibre expertise, and Rönkkö expects a lot from the textile fibre pilot plant that Nordic Bioproducts Group is preparing to build in Harapais, Lappeenranta .
- I have also noticed that the city has become more entrepreneur-friendly, Rönkkö points out.- It is an important factor in addition to scientific expertise and entrepreneurship: it is essential that all three - administration, research and education, and business - are on the same page and support each other.
- Once the will and the goal are in place, all that is needed is work, work and work, Rönkkö sums up,