Since Jukka Paakki announced that he will step down from the post of head of the department on 1 January 2016, Professor Sasu Tarkoma has been elected the new head for the period 1 January 2016-31 December 2017. There were a total of 7 applicants for the position, out of whom the rector decided to appoint Tarkoma on the basis of the proposal by the dean of the Faculty of Science.

The staff of the department would like to congratulate Sasu and wish him success in his new duties. This is a good opportunity to ask our new leader some questions.
 

The inevitable first question: How does it feel?

ST: It feels good to get to develop the work of the department. 

Why did you decide to apply for the post as head of the department?

ST: I've been working with developing the day-to-day operations of the department lately, first as professor in charge of networks and systems, and then also as deputy head. I've tried to develop the operations of both the programme and the department actively, while building networks. I thought this might be a good background for the duties of the head of the department.

What kind of head will you be for the department?

ST: I'll be ahard-working builder with the goal of creating the best teaching and research community in the Nordic countries.

How do you want the staff to support you in your new duties?

ST: I hope we'll be building the department together. United, we can face the big challenges of society. For instance, we could combine the skills within the sub-programmes with digital solutions in science.

The university is facing huge changes in the near future, such as the reorganisation of services, the Big Wheel course reformation, and the researcher pools. We will probably also face lay-offs. How will the department survive these challenges?

ST: The coming years will be very demanding, but we have to see the oppotunities, as well. For instance, with the Big Wheel reformation, we will get a new Data Science Master's programme, which will support multi-disciplinary work and enforce the department's status as a pillar of digital knowledge. We will survive the challenges by building on our strengths and keeping busy.

You have many research projects on the go at the moment. How will you divide your time between research and leadership?

ST: My duties as head of the department will take up most of my time, but I will use what's left on reasearch. This means that I'll have to give up teaching.

In which direction will you take the department and how?

ST: I can see two directions for the department; the first is about developing the basics of computer science and the other is multi-disciplinary data science. They are both necessary for their impactiveness and to support the strategy of the University of Helsinki. Important themes include developing teaching, research and societal impact.

Do you have any fine 'inauguration words'?

ST: I would like to thank my predecessors for their good leadership and I will attempt to continue this tradition.

Text/questions: Pauliina Pajunen

Translation: Marina Kurtén