Oskari Vilamo Fund prize awarded to Jaakko Heikkilä

OSKARI VILAMO FUND         BULLETIN            29 October 2013

OSKARI VILAMO FUND PRIZE AWARDED TO JAAKKO HEIKKILÄ

The Oskari Vilamo Fund has conferred this year’s award for merit, a total of EUR 5,000, to rakennusneuvos (“building counsellor”, Finnish honorary title) Jaakko Heikkilä.

Jaakko Heikkilä graduated as Master of Science (Engineering) from the Tampere University of Technology in 1970. The President of the Republic of Finland granted Heikki the title of rakennusneuvos in 2005.

During his career, Mr. Heikkilä has held several positions in construction engineering offices and the National Board of Public Building. Since 1994, he has been the Managing Director of first Viatek and later Ramboll Finland. Since 2008, Heikkilä has worked as a business mentor in his own company.

In addition to his work duties, Heikkilä has held and still holds several positions of trust. Among other positions, he has been the chairperson of the Finnish Association of Civil Engineers and member of the Board and chairperson of several construction industry associations. He has played a central role in preparing the “ROTI assessments” concerning the state of the built environment.

Jaakko Heikkilä has also contributed to the development of the construction industry as a chairperson and member of several committees on R&D and education. In 2007–2009, he was a member of the Board of Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. He has also contributed to economic life in the Boards of the Espoo and Helsinki region Chambers of Commerce.

Jaakko Heikkilä is a true basketball enthusiast and has been a basketball coach for twenty years. The similarities between the duties of a basketball coach and a construction industry managing director have inspired Heikkilä to write the book “Kasva, välitä ja valmenna – henkilöjohtamisella voittajajoukkueeksi” (Grow, care and coach – becoming a winning team through HR).

Thesis awards for two doctoral dissertations and eight Master's theses

The Oskari Vilamo Fund's doctoral dissertation prizes have been awarded to Mikko Salminen, Doctor of Science (Technology), and Noora Veijalainen, Doctor of Science (Technology). The doctoral dissertation prize is 3,500 euros.

The fund's Master's thesis prizes have been awarded to Master of Science (Technology) Janne Hanka, Master of Science (Technology) Anssi Hiekkalahti, Architect Antti Jyränki, Architect Sofia Kellar, Master of Science (Technology) Petri Kortelainen, Master of Science (Technology) Eki Lehtimäki, Master of Science (Technology) Mikael Mäkitalo and Architect Sonja Sahlsten. The Master's thesis prize is 2,000 euros.

Developer of the construction industry

The fund, named after Economic Counsellor Oskari Vilamo, is presided over by the Foundation for Economic Education and aims to promote higher-level research into construction. The fund was founded by Lemminkäinen in 1985. This year marks the 28th year an annual award for merit has been made since the awards began in 1986. Master's thesis awards have been granted since 1993. The fund has issued the award to a total of 41 doctoral dissertations, 20 licentiate theses and 91 Master's theses, including this year's prizes.

 
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

OSKARI VILAMO FUND
Secretary to the Advisory Committee Matti Aalto
Tel. +358 400 408 173
matti.aalto@oskarivilamo.fi      
www.lemminkainen.fi/oskarivilamo 
www.lsr.fi

Jaakko Heikkilä