From Knowledge Exchange to Knowledge Co-creation: The Finnish Way of Knowledge Exchange between University and Community

Abstract:

This summer, Aalto University in Helsinki organised an experiment on "Prototyping Societal Innovation". In collaboration with the Committee for the Future of the Finnish Parliament, the New Club of Paris and the Uusimaa Regional Council (Greater Helsinki area), the university launched the 1st Aalto Camp for Societal Innovation (ACSI ) which aims to be a "new-generation innovation agenda bringing forth a concept, operating mode and network for the development of a global innovation platform".

One hundred participants from academia, business and civil society from all over the world were invited to share their experiences and knowledge to solve real life problems in real time during one week.

Exploring new ways of learning and creating new ideas through collaborative learning with all parts of the society: business, academia, public sector, individuals, goes beyond traditional knowledge transfer concepts. Aalto University promotes "knowledge co-creation" to increase the pace of innovation in the society. All cases, which ranged from participatory city planning to new forms of lifelong learning, were based on creating synergy between teaching, research, and innovation as well as strengthening the networks and exchanges across the community.

As one of the leading knowledge economies in the world Finland is continuously exploring new ways of learning and innovation. Can the Aalto experience be transferred to other universities?