| Category: Success stories

“We need more free mobility of not only innovations, but also ideas, competence, people and data. Open data plays a particularly significant role.”

The University of Eastern Finland challenges the ecosystem members to be transparent

The optimal operation of the open Kuopio Health innovation ecosystem requires that all its members renew their operating cultures.

This is an assessment by Jukka Mönkkönen, Rector of the University of Eastern Finland. 

– We need more free mobility of not only innovations, but also ideas, competence, people and data. Open data plays a particularly significant role. Traditionally, research data and data pools have been closed systems to which only highly restricted access has been granted. There is need for more openness here, Mönkkönen estimates.

Mönkkönen notes that while it is obviously necessary to safeguard IPR and companies’ business opportunities, gaining maximum advantages from accumulated data is both a requirement and a benefit of the open innovation ecosystem.

Jukka Mönkkönen
Effectiveness as a goal

According to Jukka Mönkkönen, the university is ready to take the lead for introducing the new concept. After all, open science is a concept gaining increasing prominence in today’s academic world. 

As the institution providing most education in the field of health and wellbeing, the University of Eastern Finland has a lot to offer to the ecosystem activities. 

Mönkkönen notes that the university conducts a lot of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research. “Ageing, lifestyles and human health” is one of the university’s strategic profile areas that brings together strong interdisciplinary research and education in fields such as medicine, health promotion and drug development.

– Open innovation ecosystems such as Kuopio Health are an excellent platform for strengthening the impact of our research and education, Mönkkönen notes.

– We have been actively involved in creating this network. We recognised that there was strong health competence in this region and that we should bring those working in the field together.

Mönkkönen highlights that it should be ensured that the innovation ecosystem activities benefit all operators and that every member of the network also contributes to developing the activities.

Openness attracts new members

At its best, Kuopio Health can create an environment joining professionals and experts from the field based on mutual trust and an open operating model, Jukka Mönkkönen evaluates.

– Such a set of operations is attractive. When competence can freely move between different organisation, others are also attracted to this region. 

Mönkkönen reminds us that it takes time to produce results. You must be patient but also persistent.

– This strong local organisation will enable us to operate as part of national and international networks and build an internationally renowned and attractive hub in the health and wellbeing sector in Kuopio. We should not settle for any less!

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