Viestintä, brändi ja markkinointi

An idyllic villa built in 1852 serves as the set for Strömsö, a popular tv-show by the Finnish Broadcasting Company, Yle. The villa is located in Västervik, about 10 kilometers from the center of Vaasa. On Wednesday 21st of August, we offer one hour guided tours at the villa. The tours will be held in Finnish.

Professional project management is key for a smooth and high-quality execution of project activities. Several highly experienced project managers work in our team helping with preparing applications for funding, coordination of tasks during project implementation and reporting after their completion. Additional support is gained from the University’s Research Service, and unit of Strategic and Legal Affairs. 

The project management sub team coordinates the preparation of project proposals and the management of project implementation. Our projects are planned and executed in collaboration with both Finnish and international universities, research institutions and companies, thus achieving a high rate of research funding. We also document activities related to the dissemination of research results and take care of proper data management. 

The experimental sub team is focused on tackling the complex challenges presented by experimental research. With a strong skill set in mechanical engineering, the team has established a suite of flexible experimental test benches that are essential for our ambitious development projects. These benches are equipped with state-of-the-art measurement technology, integrated into a well-coordinated system for data acquisition and postprocessing. This system ensures our workflow remains streamlined and effective. 

A deep understanding of mathematics, physics, and signal analysis forms the backbone of team's approach, providing the tools to gain detailed insights into powertrain systems. This analytical strength is applied rigorously to advance our powertrain research, which is further enhanced by our use of sophisticated design of experiments methods and model-in-the-loop simulations. These techniques are crucial as they allow us to refine our simulation models to a high degree of accuracy. 

Team has comprehensive capabilities, extending to full hardware-in-the-loop integration, which is fundamental in testing and validating advanced powertrain control solutions. The experimental sub team plays a pivotal role here, utilising their specialised abilities to support the larger mission of pushing towards innovative powertrain technologies. 
 

Engine industry sits in a position where the end of ever-increasing system complexity is far beyond the horizon. The advent of novel combustion technologies, hybrid powertrains and re-thought engine paradigms poses the challenge of keeping it all together. This is exactly what the Control sub team aims to do.  

The Control sub team strives to find efficient, state-of-the-art solutions for the cutting-edge challenges in industry. As a part of the Efficient Powertrain Solutions research team, it seeks to effectively bring together the latest advancements made within other sub teams, and employ the cutting-edge knowledge in control theory to open new horizons in powertrain control. The Control sub team strives to establish a bridge between academic research outcomes and industrial expertise through close collaboration both internally and with our industrial partners. It acknowledges the industry’s dire need for methods for reducing the carbon and noise footprints of modern powertrains and offer creative solutions for their use.  

The current research revolves around control methods of novel engine mechanics and combustion control. The team members are experts in utilising model-based and rapid prototyping control designs to pair our technical knowledge with practical implementation. Through implementing our solutions as proof-of-concept demonstrations and absorbing new findings in the fundamental front of energy systems, the team creates a positive loop of evolution.  

The University of Vaasa is at the forefront of diverse and innovative research projects, showcasing a commitment to pioneering initiatives. One of ongoing steps is a comprehensive undertaking focused on the development and validation of engines using Hydrogen-Ammonia carbon-neutral fuels. From mapping requirements to thermal output modeling of alternative fuels like H2 and NH3 which spans various aspects of Internal Combustion Engines (ICE).  

Simulation and Modeling sub team is a dedicated group of researchers and faculty focused on applying computational techniques to solve complex real-world problems. Simulation and Modeling activities at the University of Vaasa are primarily conducted within the Efficient Powertrain Solutions (EPS) research team in the School of Technology and Innovations. This team, equipped with diverse expertise in combustion and engine technologies, plays a pivotal role in contributing to different environmental projects. 

New fuels need to enable reliable engine operation, be compatible with the materials of the engine and the fuel system, and meet emission regulations. We conduct research in fuel properties to ensure that the future fuels will comply with the requirements, are safe to use and present environmentally sustainable solutions. Special focus lies on fuel blends in advanced combustion concepts. 

The University of Vaasa fuel subteam has experience in e.g. fuel regulations, fuel additive research and evaluation of alternative fuel options in different engine applications. Fuel research can easily be extended to full-scale engine experiments in our engine laboratories.  

For industrial partners we can offer solutions for fuel related issues from analysing single samples to conducting larger customer projects. We offer comprehensive problem solving by helping to find suitable analysis methods, consultation as well as education.    

Commissioned thesis

Are you looking for new ideas to further develop the operations of your organisation? You can commission a student to write a thesis.

Increasingly more students want to write their thesis for a company. Students find the work meaningful when they have the opportunity to be involved in solving problems or development tasks in a real company and the knowledge they produce is put to concrete use. 

Through the collaboration, the employer gains access to the latest research information, valuable insights into their own operations and expertise for their organisation. A thesis can also bring new perspectives and solutions to the employer’s problems. Offering a thesis topic is a great way of networking with the talent of the future. 

What is a Master’s thesis?

A Master’s thesis and a Master’s thesis in engineering are theses that allow students to demonstrate proficiency in their academic field and to apply what they have learned in their Master’s degree studies to practical problems. In the field of engineering, the thesis written at the end of the degree is called ‘diplomityö’ in Finnish, and it covers a topic related to a professional field. In other fields, the Master’s thesis is called ‘pro gradu -tutkielma’ in Finnish. 

Theses are large-scale, independent projects that require students to commit to the work full-time for about six months.

What kind of topics can an employer commission a thesis on?

In cooperation with the business world, the thesis project usually proceeds in such a way that the company determines the topic of the thesis and the university determines the academic processing of the contents and the related guidance. 

Students at the University of Vaasa graduate as experts in the fields of business, technology, administrative sciences or communication. The thesis topics may be related to management, accounting and finance, marketing and communication as well as technology and innovation management.

The thesis requires students to commit to the work full-time for about six months. The topic should, therefore, be limited so that the work can be completed with this amount of time. 

The student must always obtain the thesis supervisor’s approval for the topic. This is to ensure that the topic is relevant to the student’s area of specialisation and that the student has access to sufficient up-to-date research information in the field to enable the research to be completed within the framework of the thesis. 

You can browse the Master’s theses written at the University of Vaasa in the publication archive Osuva.  

What should be included in the commissioning agreement?

Once a thesis author has been found, it is important to agree on the details of the thesis. The commissioning agreement should include, for example, the following:

• The objectives and scope of the thesis
• The timetable and amount of work required to complete the thesis
• Guidance for the thesis and contact with the supervisor
• Remuneration for the thesis
• Possible confidential materials
• Possible commercial use of the thesis results

How should the student be remunerated for the thesis?

We recommend that the thesis be carried out in an employment relationship. In this case, the student and commissioner sign an employment contract which includes the conditions related to the completion of the thesis in addition to the usual conditions of employment. The thesis author may also be paid a grant, expenses compensation or a taxable fee for the thesis.

Publicity of the thesis and confidential background material

Theses are principally public documents which are accessible to all interested parties. This is to ensure an objective and fair evaluation of the theses.  

However, public theses will not include any trade or professional secrets of the commissioner, but these will be left in the confidential background material. If a thesis addresses confidential information, its use will be agreed in advance between the commissioner and the thesis supervisor. 

You can contact us at

opinnaytetyot@uwasa.fi

We will support you financially when you hire a student for an internship.

If your organisation has a project that is lacking someone to work on it, an intern could be the solution. By hiring an intern, you will be able to benefit from the latest industry knowledge, new insights and ideas to improve your operations. At best, the intern will bring their experiences from the competences required at work to the development of the education.

The intern can, for example, carry out different kinds of surveys, polls or other activities that benefit your organisation. The intern’s duties should be such that the student can make use of the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies. The internship should also enable the student to learn new things.

Internships can often be the first step towards a longer-term employment relationship. Be sure to also remember our international talents who not only contribute their skills but also their cultural capital. A diverse and multicultural work community fosters creativity.

You can contact us at harjoittelu@uwasa.fi.