26.3.2007
MILLENNIUM DISTINCTION AWARD 2007 - MILLENNIUM DISTINCTION AWARDS FOR DEVELOPERS AND RESEARCHERS WORKING IN THE FINNISH OPTOELECTRONICS SECTOR
Two Finnish growth companies and two university professors will receive this year’s Millennium Distinction Awards from the Millennium Technology Prize Foundation. Heikki and Ulla Mustonen of Tepcomp Oy, Harry Asonen of Corelase Oy, Professor Liisa Halonen of Helsinki University of Technology and Professor Markus Pessa of Tampere Univeristy of Technology have all been recognised for their pioneering work in optoelectronics.
Millennium Distinction Awards are given to Finnish scientists, developers of new technologies and their applications, and individuals who have either founded or played a significant role in the success of related growth companies. As the 2006 Millennium Technology Prize was awarded to Professor Shuji Nakamura for his invention of bright-blue, green and white LEDs and a blue laser, this year’s awards have gone to people working in the optoelectronics sector.
Heikki and Ulla Mustonen of Tepcomp Oy and Harry Asonen of Corelase Oy receive Millennium Distinction Awards in the category ”Founders and drivers of growth companies based on the productive exploitation of innovative new technology.” Professor Liisa Halonen (Helsinki University of Technology) and Professor Markus Pessa (Tampere University of Technology) receive Millennium Distinction Awards for their valuable contributions to the furthering of Finnish university education in the optoelectronics sector and for initiating associated high-level research activities in Finland.
Fifty small and medium-sized companies are currently operating in the Finnish optoelectronics and optical sector. With a combined annual turnover of EUR 300 million, they employ approximately 1700 people. Growth in the sector is strong.
The 2007 Millennium Distinction Awards will be distributed at an evening celebration to be held later this Spring.
Further information
Millennium Prize Foundation
Dr. Tapio Alvesalo, Secretary General of the foundation and Secretary of the International Selection Committee, Tel: +358-400-341 497
