Research Foundation of LUT University, LAB University and Saimaa Vocational College Sampo awarded grants and assistance totaling 266.700 euros – Science Award to Professor Najmul Islam

At its 40th anniversary celebration in December, the LUT Research Foundation awarded a total of 266.700 euros in grants. The foundation supports students and researchers at the LUT university, LAB University of Applied Sciences, and Saimaa Vocational College Sampo.

The evening was opened by the chairman of the foundation's board, Mika Peltonen, who spoke about the foundation's establishment and the donor families that contributed to its growth. The foundation's size was approximately 17.000 euros when it was established in 1984, and now, 40 years later, it is around 17.000.000 euros. In 2024, the foundation will distribute a total of about 900.000 euros in grants and assistance. Timo Vartiainen was honored with the foundation's standard at the celebration. He served on the foundation's board for 26 years, the last 20 of which as chairman. LUT's rector, Juha-Matti Saksa, shared updates from the university, highlighting LUT's strong performance in university rankings. The growth rate at both the Lappeenranta and Lahti campuses of LUT is also high.

This year's science award was given to Professor (digital transformation) Najmul Islam. His research focuses on the responsible, reliable, and legally compliant design and development of digital systems using blockchain and artificial intelligence. Another area of his research is the impact of digital systems on individuals and organizations. The science award was 12.000 euros. Teaching scholarships were awarded to Michael Child of LUT, Nina Seppälä and Jukka Lavikainen of Sampo. Postdoctoral researchers received 5,000-euro incentive grants, including Youssef El Ouardi, Shariar Afkhami, Shahid Ahmad Bhat, Adeel Tariq, Ville Laitinen, Narun Narayanan, Mohammadali Norouzi, and Jani Sillman. Grants were distributed from the Chemistry and Mathematics Fund, Evälahti Oy Fund, Lauri and Lahja Hotinen Fund, and Electrical Engineering Fund.

A total of 130.000 euros was distributed from the Nuutti and Tyyne Vartiainen Fund. The Separation Technology Center received 30.000 euros, and 100.000 euros was granted to LUT for the establishment of a professorship in separation technology.

LUT undergraduate students received 21.000 euros in 1.000-euro scholarships. The foundation distributed 59.700 euros in various scholarships to LAB and Sampo students from the Lappeenranta War Orphans and War Widows Foundation Fund.