Turku UAS joins PIA to strengthen cooperation in the field of defence and security

Turku UAS has joined the Finnish Defence and Aerospace Industries (PIA), an interest organization for the Finnish companies within the defence, aerospace and security. With the membership, Turku UAS promotes the development of the field by bringing its research and education expertise into the strengthening of Finnish and European security. 

Turku UAS invests especially in the development of countering hybrid threats, cyber security, metaverse solutions and the security of the maritime operating environment. Digitalization and technological disruption are constantly changing the security environment. Turku UAS is committed to offering innovative solutions to these sought-after research themes. 

“We want to be involved in strengthening the comprehensive security of Finland and Europe. We will make our multidisciplinary, widely respected RDI expertise available to other PIA members,” says Jarkko Paavola, Head of Education and Research. 

Security and defence technologies are rapidly developing fields in which higher education institutions play a significant role in producing new solutions.  

“PIA has more than 220 members. The aim of the membership is to deepen cooperation with the business community and the authorities and to ensure that research and innovation support the security of Finland and Europe,” says Tero Reunanen, Dean of the ICT and Industrial Engineering faculty.  

Research and cooperation for a secure future

Turku UAS cooperates closely with actors in the defence and security sector and actively participates in research projects. Cyber security, maritime safety, virtual technologies and Human Machine Interface (HMI) solutions have emerged as key themes that combine multidisciplinary expertise and innovative technological development. 

As a member of PIA, Turku UAS can better promote comprehensive safety, influence the development and participate in national and international RDI projects. The interest organization PIA already includes three Finnish universities of applied sciences and one university.  

“We are very pleased that our membership application was approved. Turku UAS has invaluable intellectual capital and research infrastructure. We are proud to join the network of PIA, which creates the security of the future,” says Reunanen. 

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