Ilkka Herlin thinks that universities are an important element of society. The business world needs universities—the talent and the knowledge.

– It is important for the success of both Cargotec and the Baltic Sea Action Group that they work together with institutes of higher education. I believe that you should always rely on the best possible information available. That information comes from researchers.

It is not unusual for Herlin to share his expertise to aid others. He is, however, careful about which projects he signs up for.

– You should never promise something that you don’t have the time to do properly. I am particular with my time. In fact, all my social activism at the moment occurs through my work. When it comes to Cargotec, our main collaborator is Tampere University of Technology. For the Baltic Sea project I have sought as wide a range of collaborators as possible.

At the moment, Herlin is also the chairman of the fundraising committee for the 375th anniversary of the University of Helsinki. However, he firmly refused when first offered the position.

– I felt that I did not have enough time to spare on university fundraising. Chancellor Thomas Wilhelmsson, however, did not give up, and finally I relented and agreed to participate.

Herlin is glad to see that the University is investing in fundraising, which will better allow them to raise public awareness of research. He would also like sales pitches to be more research oriented.

– The spotlight should be on researchers. It should be through their voices that we learn of the benefits of their research and the different applications that research will have in society. Fundraising can be successful even in tough economic times if you stay focused on the essentials.

Herlin believes that the Faculty of Arts should remind the Finnish public of the role humanities have had in building this country.

– Those who have studied the humanities have a lot to offer, including potential solutions for the changing challenges of both the present day and the times to come. Fundraisers need to believe in their own cause and give concrete examples, and donors will in turn start to believe in and support their activities.