Imagine the future of aviation: autonomous air taxis crisscrossing urban skies, or eco-friendly aircraft enabling exploration of distant frontiers. Regardless of how the industry evolves, talent remains the core engine driving its progress. The strategic partnership between Finland's Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) exemplifies forward-thinking collaboration to cultivate aviation's next generation of leaders.
Synergizing Strengths for Aviation Education Innovation
Since 2017, Haaga-Helia and IATA have engaged in deep collaboration, combining their respective strengths to achieve significant outcomes in talent development, academic research, and industry exchange. This partnership not only provides students direct access to industry expertise but also bridges academic theory with practical application, injecting fresh vitality into aviation's future.
Key collaborative achievements include:
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IATA Authorized Training Center:
Established in 2018, this center delivers internationally recognized professional training to enhance students' global competitiveness.
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Future Aviation Symposium:
Since 2017, IATA experts have annually participated in Haaga-Helia's symposium, sharing cutting-edge industry developments. In 2020, they also delivered specialized communication workshops.
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IATA Headquarters Visits:
Students gain firsthand exposure to international aviation operations through visits to IATA offices in Stockholm, Geneva, and Madrid.
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Student Engagement Initiatives:
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Participation in IATA's Global Passenger Survey, contributing valuable behavioral data analysis
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Thesis projects supervised by IATA experts, addressing real industry needs:
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Completed:
Benefits of Air Transport for Finnish Healthcare
(December 2019)
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Ongoing:
Public Perception of Aviation in Nordic Countries
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Ongoing:
The Importance of Skilled Workforce in Aviation's Future
"IATA's active involvement in our Porvoo campus aviation business studies helps students connect with industry professionals. By commissioning thesis projects, our students contribute to globally relevant research initiatives," said Haaga-Helia President Maija Eklöf.
"We're proud of this productive collaboration and look forward to expanding it geographically and thematically. The healthcare-air cargo thesis perfectly demonstrates how academic research can identify and highlight critical issues while providing valuable neutral perspectives," noted Catrin Mattson, IATA Regional Manager for Nordic and Baltic Countries.
Industry Leaders Reflect on Partnership's Value and Future
In an exclusive interview, Haaga-Helia President Teemu Kokko and IATA Vice President for Human Performance & Development Anton Grove shared insights about the collaboration's significance and trajectory.
On academia-industry collaboration benefits:
"All our activities as a university of applied sciences are enterprise-based. Haaga-Helia's mission is to 'open doors to future careers' - we must keep these doors open during studies to fulfill our strategy," emphasized Kokko.
"In our rapidly evolving world, businesses need access to scientific advances while academia benefits from practical implementation knowledge," added Grove.
On applied universities' unique contributions:
"We facilitate dialogue across multiple companies and sectors while blending applied theory with practice. UAS institutions are transformation champions," Kokko explained.
"They offer that rare combination of scientific knowledge and practical application skills, plus fresh perspectives on industry challenges - serving as exceptional talent pipelines," Grove noted.
On collaboration during crisis:
"Cooperation is more crucial than ever. International collaboration won't disappear, but we need innovative solutions to make it work safely - easier achieved together," Kokko stated.
"Our partnership has already proven valuable during the pandemic. The healthcare-air transport research directly supports our advocacy with governments about aviation's essential role in crisis response," Grove highlighted.
On post-crisis aviation skills:
"While hard to predict the exact skills needed, future professionals must embody creativity, adaptability, and integrate sustainability and technology into their DNA," Grove advised.
On environmental priorities:
"Our students naturally view the world through environmental lenses. Involving them in planning and innovation processes is strategically wise," Kokko observed.
Advice for aviation students:
"We'll overcome these challenges. Long-term success comes from genuine expertise, professionalism, and innovative thinking. Aviation remains an excellent career choice," Kokko encouraged.
"Aviation will remain vital for connecting people, cultures and economies. As we recover, we'll need all talents to rebuild a stronger, more resilient industry," Grove concluded.
