Tuija HIRVIKOSKI is a director at Laurea Universtiy of Applied Sciences, responsible for strategic research, development and innovation alliances with academia, private, civil and public organisations. She has previously held managerial positions at higher education and government institutions focused on sustainable regional and societal 12 development. She holds the award of Cross of Merit of the Order of the White Rose of Finland, granted by Sauli Niinistӧ, President of the Republic of Finland.