Danfoss Drives and University of Vaasa form strategic alliance to power innovation and student opportunities
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In the front of the photo are Rector Minna Martikainen and Director of Technology Nicklas Södö, who signed the agreement. Photo: Jari Perkiömäki.
Danfoss Drives and the University of Vaasa have signed a strategic cooperation agreement at Danfoss Drives' Vaasa office on Wednesday, 3 December, 2025. The agreement marks a major milestone in the relationship between two strong regional and global players, aiming to build a long-term, versatile, and impactful partnership that supports sustainable development, competitiveness, and regional vitality.
The University of Vaasa is an internationally respected research institution, renowned for combining high‑quality research with excellence in education. Danfoss Drives is a globally recognised leader in advanced frequency converter and power conversion solutions, with core expertise in energy efficiency and innovative electric motor control technologies.
Under the agreement, the two organisations will combine their strengths to develop new solutions to global challenges, with collaboration spanning research, education, and innovation. In research, the partnership will focus on establishing new multidisciplinary research lines, creating joint professorships, and launching company‑specific doctoral training programs. It will also increase the number of student theses and enable contract research on timely and relevant topics.
In education and talent development, the agreement opens pathways to internships, and early engagement opportunities for both domestic and international students. Through the innovation ecosystem, the partners will organise events and offer students the chance to tackle real‑world innovation challenges beyond Danfoss' own operations.
– This agreement is a significant step towards even closer cooperation with the University of Vaasa, says Nicklas Södö, Director of Technology at Danfoss Drives. By combining Danfoss' technological expertise with the university's strong research and educational capabilities, we can jointly develop solutions that support the green transition and sustainable development. We want this collaboration to go beyond individual projects and evolve into a lasting partnership that benefits both the regional and international community. We see this as an investment in the future – in talent, innovation, and our shared goal of sustainable growth.
University of Vaasa Rector Minna Martikainen highlights the opportunities ahead.
– A strategic partnership with Danfoss offers our students and researchers unique access to top‑level research and development. Together, we can address global challenges such as improving energy efficiency and developing sustainable technologies. This collaboration unites scientific research, business expertise, market insight, and creative thinking – and it is precisely at such intersections that the most significant innovations often emerge.
At its core, the agreement reflects a shared commitment to strengthening knowledge capital and enhancing competitiveness. This multidisciplinary collaboration will create fertile ground for new innovations, support expert employment, and boost the vitality of the region. Danfoss Drives and the University of Vaasa will jointly develop an operating model where research, technological development, and practical solutions advance in parallel – with local expertise seamlessly integrated into international progress.