Here is a selection of what the international press has published about Finland in the last week:
In Finland, a watchmaking school embraces the World
The new international watchmaking program by Kelloseppäkoulu, the Finnish School of Watchmaking in Espoo, Finland, was covered in an article by The New York Times on February 12.
The institute has established itself as a respected institution in the global watch industry. The article gives details of the initiative, that aims to attract students from around the world and sustain the school’s operations amid government funding cuts.
Students at the school follow a demanding curriculum that requires them to craft their own tools before they can begin working on timepieces. Over the course of three years, they progress from working on clocks and pocket watches to wristwatches, mastering intricate hand-finishing techniques such as guilloché and anglage.
Founded in 1944, the school has played a key role in establishing Finland’s reputation in the watchmaking industry. Over the years, its graduates have gone on to achieve international recognition, with notable alumni like Kari Voutilainen and Stepan Sarpaneva making their mark in high-end watchmaking.
“We have a lot to offer and a strong reputation internationally,” Hanna Harilainen, rector of the Finnish School of Watchmaking said. “And we want to encourage aspiring watchmakers to become the next Voutilainens and Sarpanevas,” she added.
To address financial challenges and adapt to changing industry needs, the school is launching an English-language watchmaking program, set to begin in the fall. Every two years, ten students will be admitted, paying tuition fees of €50,000 for a two-year course covering watchmaking skills, business knowledge, and brand-building strategies. The school is already receiving inquiries from prospective students across the United States, Asia, and Europe. Most graduates find opportunities in Finland, working in watch repair, starting their own brands, or applying their skills in other industries. Those who move abroad often enter niche segments of the industry rather than joining major Swiss watch companies, which tend to favor French-speaking hires.
Original story was published by The New York Times on 12.02.2025 and can be found here.
Why we all need sisu – the Finnish concept of action and creativity in hard times
The Finnish concept of sisu, which embodies the idea of inner strength and perseverance against adversities, was covered in an article by The Guardian on February 10. The article highlights how sisu is not just about endurance but about actively choosing to move forward despite hardship.
The author illustrates this idea through her own experience as a new mother, struggling with exhaustion and uncertainty, and finding unexpected comfort in a song that soothed her baby—Manic Street Preachers’ cover of Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head. The song itself carries a history of perseverance, recorded by the band after the disappearance of their bandmate Richey Edwards, demonstrating how creativity and action can emerge from grief.
Drawing on psychotherapy, the author explains that growth often comes from loss and struggle. She references Wilfred Bion’s theory that infants develop thought processes out of the painful experience of separation, much like adults discover inner strength when faced with adversity. Through her own difficult transition into motherhood, she found new capacities within herself that only surfaced because of the challenges she faced.
The author challenges the common notion that a better life is defined by constant happiness or external achievements. True fulfillment, she asserts, is found in embracing both the highs and the lows, recognizing that suffering and loss are inevitable parts of the human experience. A meaningful life is not about seeking perfection but about living fully—engaging with love, risk, and even grief with a sense of freedom and hope.
The author, Moya Sarner is an NHS psychotherapist and the author of When I Grow Up – Conversations With Adults in Search of Adulthood.
Original story was published by The Guardian on 10.02.2025 and can be found here.
Chips from the North: Finland’s Semiconductor Strategy calls Europe to collaboration
Finland’s semiconductor strategy, Chips from the North, was covered in an article by Innovation News Network on February 10. The article explores the initiative, which aims to accelerate the country’s role in the European and global chip industry.
Finland is leveraging its long history in electronics, its strong research and innovation ecosystem with major corporations such as Salora, Vaisala, Kone, Strömberg (now part of ABB), and Nokia playing key roles. It has expertise in areas such as chip design, MEMS sensors, photonics, quantum technologies, and advanced materials. The strategy, aligned with the European Chips Act, targets a 10% annual industry growth rate, aiming to triple its revenue to €5-6 billion by 2035 while doubling the workforce.
A core strength of Finland’s innovation ecosystem is the collaboration between industry, academia, and government institutions. This approach has historically driven major technological advancements, as seen during Nokia’s peak years. The Chips from the North strategy encourages close cooperation between public and private stakeholders, fostering knowledge exchange and accelerating innovation.
Given its deep-rooted expertise and established ecosystem, Finland is well-positioned to play a crucial role in modernizing the European semiconductor industry. However, achieving this requires addressing key challenges, including attracting investments, expanding R&D capabilities, and developing a highly skilled workforce. The national chip strategy promotes workforce expansion, capital investment attraction, and research infrastructure enhancement to shorten the transition from laboratory innovation to commercial manufacturing.
Original story was published by Innovation News Network on 10.02.2025 and can be found here.
People Who Cycle to Work Take Fewer Sick Days. But Why?
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health’s study’s observation that people who cycle to work take fewer sick days was covered in an article by Science Alert on February 10. The article gives details of the findings of the study, which showed that these people have a lower risk of long-term absences due to illness.
The research analyzed self-reported data from 28,485 local government workers over a year, with many participants followed for a second year. The results showed that cycling at least 61 kilometers (38 miles) per week was associated with an 8-12% lower risk of taking sick leave and an 18% lower chance of being absent for at least 10 days due to illness. On average, the most active cyclists had 4.5 fewer sick days per year than passive commuters, such as those who drive or use public transport, and experienced one fewer long sickness period per decade.
“There is already research evidence on the health and environmental benefits of active commuting, but its connection to the risk of long sickness absences, for example, has not been studied at all before,” says Essi Kalliolahti, a public health scientist from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.
Although the study establishes a strong correlation between cycling and reduced sick leave, it does not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship. One possible explanation is that regular physical activity helps strengthen the immune system and reduces the risk of various health conditions. Alternatively, healthier individuals may be more inclined to choose cycling as their mode of transport, making them naturally less prone to illness.
The researchers highlight that only half of adults meet recommended physical activity levels, making cycling a practical way to incorporate exercise into daily routines. While cycling may not be a feasible option for everyone, particularly in urban areas with safety concerns, the study supports policies that encourage active commuting. Investing in cycling infrastructure could contribute to improved public health and workplace productivity.
Original story was published by Science Alert on 09.02.2025 and can be found here.
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