Sponsors

City of Oulu kindly welcomes the ICPQR 2008 conference participants to join the Reception in the Oulu City Hall on 25th June, 2008 at 19.30 - 21.00. (dress code: informal)

More about the City ofd Oulu:  http://www.oulu.ouka.fi/english/index.asp

The Finnish Work Environment Fund was established in 1979, by the Finnish Work Environment Fund Act. The work of the Fund is in accordance with both the stipulations of The Finnish Work Environment Fund Act and the regulations which the Ministry has confirmed. The purpose of the Finnish Work Environment Fund is to fund research and development work, which improves the working conditions and promotes the safety and productivity aspects of the working place activities.

In accordance with § 35 of the Employment Accidents Insurance Act, two per cent (1.7 % as of 2005) of the insurance premium of employers who have a legal obligation to insure is given to the Finnish Work Environment Fund as income. With these resources, the Fund is able to support financially, research and development projects related to working-life and the practical application of the results of these research activities. The Fund also finances the activities of the Centre For Occupational Safety. The Fund is able to support activities only when they are carried out in Finland. The Fund's activities are monitored by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

More info about the Finnish Work Environment Fund: http://www.tsr.fi/english/

The Finnish Workplace Development Programme TYKES (2004-2009) promotes the modes of operation of Finnish companies and other work organizations, with the eye to simultaneous enhancement of productivity and the quality of working life. This is called qualitatively sustainable productivity growth. Development activity in the Programme projects is based on cooperation between the management and staff of the workplaces concerned. In addition, TYKES promotes the dissemination of project results and expertise on workplace development.

TYKES is based on the view that the most effective way of generating new innovative solutions for working life is close cooperation and interaction between workplaces, researchers, consultants, public authorities and the social partners. The capability of the different parties to join forces is for a small country like Finland a precondition for coping with the globalizing economy. Success in the new competitive environment increasingly calls for workplace innovation.

More information about the TYKES Programme: http://www.mol.fi/mol/en/01_ministry/05_tykes/index.jsp

The Academy of Finland’s mission is to advance scientific research and its application, support international scientific cooperation, act as an expert organ in science policy issues and allocate funding to research and other advancement of science.

The Academy works to promote the progress of science by allocating funding to the highest-quality and the scientifically most innovative research.

The Academy is committed to raising the productivity and strengthening the impact of research funding and science policy by:

• emphasising interdisciplinarity and innovativeness in its reviews and assessments of scientific quality
• granting funding to research projects rated as excellent
• promoting the interaction and collaboration between researchers and knowledge end-users.

The Academy supports the research career in all its stages and encourages the mobility of researchers within the research system, business and industry and public administration as well as internationally. Universities are the Academy’s most important partner in its mission to advance scientific research. Internationally, the Academy cooperates with a number of other countries as well as with international funding organisations.

The Academy takes actively part in the public debate on science policy, the goals of science, its impacts and ethics. The Academy also promotes good scientific practices and strengthens the ethical sustainability of the research it finances.

The Academy’s key goals and means are defined in its strategies. The most important one, “Academy of Finland Strategy”, is from 2006. The Academy’s operations are particularly influenced by the strategies of the Science and Technology Policy Council of Finland, the latest of which, “Science, Technology, Innovation”, was published in 2006. 

More about the Academy of Finland: http://www.aka.fi/en-gb/A/

Whether you are training to compete or exercising to improve your health, to get the most from your efforts and improve you need to listen to your body. Polar combines the knowledge and expertise of Physiologists, Electronic Engineers and Computer Scientists to create products and technology that do just that. Founding Polar Electro Oy in 1977, Professor Seppo Säynäjäkangas pioneered the development of wireless heart rate measurement, launching the world's first chest strap transmitter and wrist based receiver in 1982. Since that Polar has developed many unique features to provide instant feedback on current fitness level, optimal training intensity, state of relaxation and recovery.

Today, Polar has 21 subsidiaries globally and manages a distribution network supplying over 35,000 retail outlets in more than 80 countries. The group employs 1200 people worldwide. Polar's comprehensive product range offers solutions for all people whether the goal is rehabilitation, weight management, to improve health and fitness or compete at championship level.

More info about Polar Electro:  www.polar.fi

Nordic Healthcare Group is a knowledge service provider that specializes in developing operations management in the healthcare and welfare industries. Our activities are based on evidence-based, researched practices emerging from industrial engineering and corporate management. The aim of the company is to serve the specific needs of healthcare organizations, public and private, by applying methodologies proven in industrial, commercial and service sectors. All our employees are equipped with both deep analytical skills and knowledge of healthcare operations and environments.

More about NHG: http://nordichealthcaregroup.com/eng00.htm

 More about MCompetence: http://www.mcompetence.fi/

The Council of Oulu Region is regional, politically guided, municipal coalition for the development and interest supervision in the county. It is responsible for regional planning and general coordination of regional development programs related to national and EU structural funds. The Council oversees the interests of the people, municipalities, organizations and enterprises and speaks on their behalf regarding both national and international questions.

According to its vision, the Council of Oulu Region is “a nationally visible force and an inspirational leader within the province´. The work of the regional council is intersectoral; it cooperates between different administrative sectors, organizations, business life and inhabitants. It outlines regional development targets, key projects and measures through the regional planning system that consists of the regional development plan, the regional strategic programme and the regional land use plan are.

The highest decision-making body of regional administration is the Regional Council Assembly, which is elected by a meeting of delegates from the member local authorities. Executive functions are carried out by the Administrative Board, which is elected by the Assembly. This system of elected representatives ensures that the inhabitants and local authorities have their own say on regional issues and decision-making.

More about the Council of Oulu region: http://www.pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi/index.php?7