Sustainability is a part of all LUT's stakeholder cooperation
Societal interaction is one of the university's three main missions, besides scientific research and academic education. LUT also embraces research collaboration with businesses. We help companies and other actors to utilize the solutions emerging from our research of emission-free energy, clean water and air, circular economy and sustainable business. We develop technological solutions for a sustainable future with our strategic industrial partners.
Around 3–5 research-based spin-off companies are founded every year, and LUT actively applies for patents. The university's Green Campus Open supports the commercialization of research. Our investment company Green Campus Innovations provides seed funding for the research.
Our business ecosystem also comprises the proto lab Jamie Hyneman Center and the student-led entrepreneurship community LUTES.
The LUT Universities group also includes the LAB University of Applied Sciences. LAB has set its own sustainable development goals and aims to be a carbon-neutral in 2025.
LTKY is students' advocacy
Our students influence the university's decision-making and organize student activities on the campuses through the Student Union of LUT University (LTKY). The student union released its own responsibility guidance paper in December 2022 and supports students' well-being in many ways. LTKY also takes a wider influencer role in the student movement to promote responsibility.
Read here about the resources and professionals at LUT group who help and guide our students in various study-related issues.
Cooperation with hometowns
- Together with our campus cities Lappeenranta (Finnish Climate Capital) and Lahti (European Green Capital), we promote the goals of a clean environment.
- Goals for energy efficiency in campus buildings are shared with the property owners, University Properties of Finland (SYK) and Isku Center.
- We're working with Lappeenranta Student Housing Foundation (LOAS) to build Finland's greenest student housing community.
For example, in Junior University activities, all age groups from children in early childhood education to high school students learn how to reduce their water footprint and their carbon footprint and how to maximize the carbon handprint. They are also challenged to search for solutions for how to contribute to the climate change and how to boost businesses to be more sustainable.
In 2020, the International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN) awarded LUT Junior University the best sustainable development cooperation model. As part of the nationally unique JunnuYliopisto of several higher education institutions, we also take environmental skills to children and young people in the Lahti region.
We are involved in versatile cooperation with regional, national and global players. Together with the Marjatta and Eino Kolli Foundation, we founded the Metsä360 recognition award to highlight actions aimed at increasing the added value gained from Finnish forests.
