On the afternoon of November 12, Prof. Kalevi Ekman, Founder of Aalto University Design Factory and chair of Product Development at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Aalto University, Finland, delivered an academic lecture titled “An introduction to Aalto Design Factory and PDP course” at the Lecture Hall on the first floor of the Flight Building at SUES. The event attracted faculty and students from across the university, with the venue bustling with interest and engagement.
SUES President Lou Yongqi warmly welcomed Prof. Ekman at the beginning of the lecture, highlighting his outstanding contributions to product development and innovation education. President Lou noted that Aalto University is internationally recognized for its deep integration of technology, design, and business, and that its “Design Factory” concept has become a global benchmark in promoting interdisciplinary innovation and university-industry collaboration. He expressed his hope that the lecture would enhance SUES faculty and students’ understanding of the university’s “3-wings” interdisciplinary innovation strategy, and further inspire SUES in areas such as innovation practice, design education, and international cooperation.
Through engaging videos and real-world cases, Ekman systematically introduced the philosophy and practice of Aalto Design Factory. Established in 2008, this platform aims to break down disciplinary barriers by bringing together students, faculty, and industry partners from diverse backgrounds, including engineering, design, and business, to explore a collaborative, action-driven approach to innovative education. Ekman emphasized that the Design Factory is not merely a learning space, but a “laboratory” for idea exchange and creativity incubation, providing strong support for cultivating versatile talent with international perspectives and innovative capabilities.
Prof. Ekman further introduced Aalto University’s signature Product Development Project (PDP) course. Driven by real-world industry challenges, the PDP course brings together interdisciplinary student teams who collaborate with corporate partners over several months to take projects from conceptualization to prototype demonstration. This practice-oriented learning model has made PDP a vital bridge at Aalto for nurturing innovative talents and strengthening university-industry synergy.
During the interactive session, attendees actively raised questions on topics such as the operational model of the Design Factory, mechanisms of university-industry collaboration, and the organization of project-based courses. Prof. Ekman responded thoughtfully, encouraging students to think across boundaries, dare to innovate through practice, and explore diverse approaches to aligning academic research with societal needs.
The lecture provided SUES faculty and students with in-depth exposure to Aalto University’s advanced concepts and successful experience in interdisciplinary innovation education. It also offered meaningful insights for SUES in areas such as the development of its own design factory, industry-academia collaboration, and international exchange.
Following the lecture, Prof. Ekman visited laboratories at the SUES School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, School of Air Transportation, and School of Textile and Fashion. He gained a deeper understanding of the SUES’ achievements in disciplinary development and scientific innovation, and offered valuable suggestions on promoting interdisciplinary integration and establishing a design factory at SUES.
