Semiconductor seminar attracted a lot of people
The semiconductor seminar we organized on Wednesday, March 5th attracted a large number of participants. The event’s speeches emphasized, among other things, Europe’s investment needs and Finland’s and Tampere’s strong expertise in this critical field. VTT, the Finnish Technology Industries and the City of Tampere were also involved in organizing the seminar.
The role of semiconductors in Europe’s self-sufficiency, technological development and the overall security of our continent is significant. The topicality of the topic was already evident from the number of participants at the seminar, as there were an estimated 160 participants.
The seminar, which was excellently moderated by Helena Petäistö, was opened by Tampere Group CEO Juha Yli-Rajala, after which Thomas Skordas, Deputy Director General of DG Connect at the European Commission, gave his own speech. In his speech, Skordas, among other things, pointed the way for the preparation of Chips Act 2. After this, VTT CEO Antti Vasara focused his speech on the role of semiconductors as a driver of EU competitiveness. Like several other speakers, Vasara highlighted the challenges brought about by the rapidly changing global political situation in recent weeks. Murata’s Deputy Managing Director for Strategic Marketing Tomy Runne, in turn, spoke about Finland’s position as part of the European semiconductor industry.
The seminar panel discussion included Mika Aaltola (MEP), Gert Bergen (Imec) and Jonna Lehtinen (TEM). The discussion focused on the current geopolitical situation and the need for the European chip industry to be self-sufficient, the relationship between public and private funding in financing the development of chip production, and the risks associated with new investments. Gert Berben pointed out that the biggest risk of all is not investing in development.
After a comprehensive panel discussion, Tampere University Rector Keijo Hämäläinen concluded the discussion with his own speech.
After Rector Hämäläinen’s speech, it was time to officially open the Tampere and Pirkanmaa EU Office. The opening words were given by EK’s CEO Jyri Häkämies. Häkämies, who previously served as Finland’s Minister of Defense, took a position on the defense policy situation and, reminded by moderator Petäistö, returned to his recent “Russia, Russia, Russia” statement, which can be said to have held up well, unfortunately.
After the ribbon cutting ceremony by Anna-Kaisa Heinämäki, the Competitiveness Director of the City of Tampere, Anna-Mari Ahonen, the Regional Director of Pirkanmaa, Jyri Häkämiehen, Juha Yli-Rajala and the Director of the EU Office, Harri Airaksinen, the renewed Tampere and Pirkanmaa EU Office was officially opened. Perhaps the best part of the opening ceremony were all the discussions, new acquaintances and networking opportunities among the participants, which certainly lowered the threshold for building diverse cooperation patterns.
