Aalto University and Saab Sign a Ten-Year Cooperation Agreement

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Aalto University and Saab AB, one of the world’s leading defence and security companies, have signed an agreement for a ten-year programme with the aim of strengthening their research cooperation, especially in long-term sensor technology research. Aalto University and Saab have been working together in this field for some time, and the newly signed agreement further strengthens this cooperation. The total value of the agreement is approximately €20 million spread over ten years. 

Research collaboration between universities and high-tech companies benefits both the stakeholders as well as the society at large. The challenges faced by the industry lead to new, interesting research questions, and the research findings in turn lead to new business opportunities.

'For Aalto University, collaboration with Saab means a substantial injection of resources into the research in the field, and an opportunity to share expertise with Saab. Thanks to the agreement, Aalto University will be able to expand and deepen its research efforts in the field while increasing multi-disciplinary cooperation and educating new professionals', says Tuula Teeri, President of Aalto University. 

Saab is one of the leading global companies investing in its own product development. It reinvests 25% of its total revenue back into research and development, and the company is known within the industry as a pioneer in technological innovation. Saab has a long experience in cooperating with universities and research institutes. Aalto’s partnership with Saab focuses on future technologies. Saab is especially interested in developing radio and signal processing technologies, which are among Aalto University’s core strengths. 

The scientific inquiry concentrates on the development of cognitive systems, microwave systems and sensor technologies, as well as hydroacoustics. The emphasis is on long-term sensor technology development. During the ten-year agreement period, the collaboration programme is expected to be expanded with new topics. 

'With the collaboration with Aalto University, Saab will strengthen our cutting edge technological expertise in sensors and communications. Our sensor technology is at the top of its class, and we want to remain continuously ahead of the field. We expect the collaboration to give us new technology to support our research and development. The collaboration also aims at strengthening the Finnish industrial ecosystem and international visibility in this field', says Håkan Buskhe, President and CEO of Saab. 

Aalto and Saab are also investigating opportunities for sharing spaces and infrastructure on the Aalto campus.