Global Collaboration for Sustainable Business: X-Culture Global Symposium 2025 at the University of Vaasa
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The University of Vaasa proudly hosted the X-Culture Global Symposium 2025, bringing together more than 200 professionals of 51 nationalities. The event united industry and academia to explore sustainable international business and advanced technologies, showcasing the Vaasa region as a global leader in energy transition, green innovation, and international business practices.
A Global Gathering in Vaasa
From 3–7 August, the University of Vaasa welcomed students, researchers, and business leaders from across the world as part of the flagship event of the X-Culture network. The symposium is renowned for uniting top students and faculty with industry professionals in unique locations to tackle real-world business challenges and experience local culture.
This year’s program combined company visits, case challenges, and interactive cultural experiences, offering participants a deep dive into sustainability and advanced technologies in business.
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Industry-Academia Collaboration at the Core
Collaboration with leading corporate partners formed the backbone of the symposium. Crimppi, Finvacon Ltd, The Switch, Wärtsilä, and Zip Park provided case challenges, site visits, and insights into how businesses lead the way in sustainable international operations. Executives engaged directly with participants, sharing how they integrate sustainability into strategy and daily decision-making.
Speaking about this collaboration, Assistant Professor Ausrine Silenskyte, local host of the event, noted:
– Our goal was to show how industry and academia can learn from one another to address the pressing challenges of sustainability and technology adoption. The strong engagement of our corporate partners made it possible to demonstrate how companies in the Vaasa region are leading the energy transition and green innovations globally.
By uniting industry, academia, and the community, the University of Vaasa and its partners showcased the region’s leadership in driving international business toward a more responsible future.
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Inspiring Talks and Insights
Professor Paula Caligiuri from D'Amore-McKim School of Business, Northeastern University delivered a keynote on agility in global careers, highlighting the key competencies needed to succeed in diverse international environments. Known for her work on cultural agility and global leadership, she has authored widely used books and founded tools like myGiide to support cross-cultural skill development.
Professor Vas Taras, founder of the X-Culture Project and professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, spoke about happiness and collaboration in multicultural teams. His initiative has engaged over 110,000 students worldwide in solving real business challenges through virtual teamwork, offering valuable insights into global cooperation.
Together with distinguished international speakers, University of Vaasa professionals also took the stage. Professor Adam Smale provided insights into life and work in Finland. Julio Serrano demystified artificial intelligence in business and personal careers.
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Showcasing the Vaasa Region
The symposium also highlighted the Vaasa region’s unique position as a hub of international business, sustainability, and innovation. Vaasa City Mayor Tomas Häyry shared how Vaasa became Finland’s happiest and second most international city, while Prof. Tauno Kekäle introduced the Energy Academy, a model of industry-academia collaboration. Organizations such as ETNO and Mira International Culture Society presented initiatives fostering multiculturalism and inclusion.
Participants also explored Finnish culture in creative ways. The Red Cross ReShop presented cultural installations that highlighted sustainability through reuse and remaking. Stundars Open-Air Museum recreated the life of 19th-century Finland, challenging 33 international teams to immerse themselves in history through the gamified activity.
Strengthening Global Networks
For X-Culture, the symposium is more than a conference — it is a platform for building global connections. As Professor Vas Taras, founder of X-Culture, emphasized:
– Every year, the symposium proves that when students, educators, and businesses from around the world come together, we can co-create knowledge and solutions that go far beyond what any of us could achieve alone.
The X-Culture Global Symposium 2025 was more than an academic meeting; it was a living example of how global collaboration can advance sustainable business.
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