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“We organise several smaller events throughout the year where our alumni support students. At the spring seminar, we will celebrate the collaboration with a big crowd. The threshold for students to keep in touch with alumni is kept low when you see them at different events," says Jenna Liinamaa, Vice President of Prodeko, the student association of Aalto University's industrial engineering & management students. 

The close cooperation with companies is reflected in student life in many different ways. According to Ida Oittinen, Prodeko's corporate relations officer, students make around 50 excursions to companies every year. There are seminars, dinner events and the annual party, where companies have a strong presence. Many of the guild room's recreational equipment and gym are sponsored by companies. "We are currently working with about 50 companies. The most integral part of Prodeko's corporate cooperation is the Prodeko Network, a network of 11 leading Finnish companies in their fields, which has been in operation since 1994. The member companies are involved in the students' everyday life and celebrations and are present in the guild's activities in various ways," says Ida. As an example, Pihla Päivänsalo, President of the Guild, mentions the new course Becoming an IEM professional, which involves 26 alumni in coaching the students in their working life skills. 

Teemu Koskiahde was part of the team organising the seminar, which included students, alumni and faculty. Teemu's favourite part of the planning was the feeling of being able to influence, for example, the choice of speakers. "Prodeko is unique in working so closely with alumni and the department - it's been great to get to know them," says Teemu. Teemu has got a summer job at software company Visma, one of the members of the Prodeko Network. 

Relex, a company focused on supply chain design and optimisation, was the main sponsor of the seminar. The company is a member of the Prodeko Network and several of its employees are Prodeko alumni. The company has produced more than 50 Master’s theses. In a few years' time, Relex will be physically closer when it moves to its new headquarters on the Otaniemi campus. 

What do the students want to highlight from the seminar? 

"I want to highlight the fact that the experts say directly that they don't know exactly what to expect in the future, for example in terms of artificial intelligence," says Ida Oittinen. Jenna Liinamaa was impressed by the fact that, although the theme was AI, the human element stood out. "The world of technology is changing so fast that humans can't keep up. You always have to be ready to learn new things. It's great, and stressful at the same time," explaines Pihla Päivänsalo.