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Optics & Photonics Days 2023 gathered an international group of experts and over three hundred visitors in Joensuu

July 1, 2023

Optics & Photonics Days 2023 took place in Joensuu between 30th of May and 1st of June. Over three hundred registered conference participants, of which 25% came from abroad, attended the diverse academic and industrial program.

The high-quality academic and industrial program of Optics & Photonics Days 2023, along with the sold-out industrial exhibition and several side events, attracted around four hundred visitors in total. The industrial exhibition also opened its doors to the general public on Thursday and drew around fifty city residents interested in photonics. At the exhibitors’ booths, visitors had the opportunity to try out augmented reality smart glasses developed by Dispelix Oy from Joensuu and Microsoft’s Hololens2 mixed reality glasses. Next-generation smart glasses are utilized in various fields, including education, healthcare, and industry, to improve user accuracy and productivity.

Poster session. Photo: Anne-Maria Kankaisto / Business Joensuu

In addition to comprehensive expert presentations, the event featured a comprehensive side program. The side event held at the Photonics Center showcased the Active Alignment service, which can be utilized, for example, by camera manufacturers in prototype manufacturing. The flagship photonics event of PREIN, funded by the Academy of Finland, discussed the significance of research and industry collaboration. In a traditionally male-dominated field, the need for female expertise was also emphasized, and the Women in Photonics event featured insights from women in leadership and expert positions at three significant publicly traded companies: Microsoft, Vaisala, and Modulight. Furthermore, on Thursday, a recruitment event was organized alongside the industrial exhibition to facilitate connections between professionals and companies.

 
Women in Photonics paneelikeskustelu. Photo: Anne-Maria Kankaisto / Business Joensuu

During the conference dinner on Wednesday, Photonics Finland elected a new board. Kim Grundström was chosen as the chairman, and Heidi Piili as the vice chairman. Senop Oy, the largest glass optics manufacturer in the Nordic countries, was awarded as the Photonics Company of the Year. Senop provides comprehensive optoelectronics and professional communication services and equipment for demanding and critical situations, such as secure official and professional communications. Safety and defense was indeed one of the main themes at OPD2023, as the importance of photonics applications in the field continues to grow.

 
Senop Oy was awarded as the Photonics Company of the Year. Photo: Tuukka Pakarinen / Photonics Finland
– Joensuu is home to one of the significant photonics clusters at European level. Hosting the event in Joensuu was a significant step in strengthening our international networks. This provides a solid foundation for the growth of photonics in Joensuu, says Juha Purmonen from Photonics Finland.
 
More information:
 
Tuukka Pakarinen
Communications & Exhibitions Manager, Photonics Finland
+358 50 313 5930
tuukka.pakarinen@photonics.fi
 
Juha Purmonen
Executive Director, Photonics Finland
Fotoniikkaliiketoiminnan kasvuohjelman ohjelmavastaava, Business Joensuu
+358 50 354 3832
juha.purmonen@businessjoensuu.fi