New Business Services Manager strengthens cooperation with working life at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences
Johanna Ihalainen has a strong background in sport and health sciences, as well as in research and development activities. She has worked for many years in expert roles at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences and has been participated in and led several research and development projects focusing, among other things, on sports technology and athlete health and performance.
The position of Business Collaboration Manager is a key element of the faculty’s strategic development, which emphasises cooperation with working life and the practical utilisation of research-based knowledge.
Dean of the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Vesa Linnamo, considers the appointment a significant investment in the faculty’s collaboration activities:
“The role of Business Collaboration Manager enhances our faculty’s capacity to build long-term partnerships and increase the impact of our research.”
Key responsibilities of the Business Services Manager
In this role, the Business Services Manager is responsible in particular for the following areas:
- developing and coordinating cooperation with companies and working life
- promoting research, development and innovation (RDI) collaboration with companies
- building and maintaining partnerships at regional and national levels
- preparing project collaboration and supporting stakeholder engagement
- supporting students’ connections to working life and internship opportunities
This role supports the faculty’s objectives to strengthen research impact and to increase collaboration with industry and working life.
The importance of societal interaction activities at the University
Business collaboration and societal interaction (YVV) are central to the University’s core mission, alongside research and education. Societal interaction activities enable the transfer of research-based knowledge into practice, support regional vitality, and strengthen the University’s role as an active contributor to society.
At the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, societal interaction activities are integrated into daily work in various ways. These include applying research knowledge in sport, health promotion, and wellbeing services, as well as developing new services and innovations in cooperation with companies and other partners. At the same time, these activities enhance students’ readiness for working life by providing connections to employers and opportunities to apply their expertise in practice. This work also builds and maintains national and international networks that support the impact and visibility of research and education.
Further information
Johanna Ihalainen, Business Collaboration Manager
Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences
Email: johanna.k.ihalainen@jyu.fi
Phone: +358 40 706 2521
