- President Emeritus, University of Art and Design Helsinki, Finland

- Founder, Aalto University, Finland

- Founder, Cumulus Association

Jury Citation:

Professor Yrjö Sotamaa has been dedicated to pushing the boundaries of design and innovation education. In his early years, he aligned himself with Victor Papanek to champion the concept of "design for the real world." During his tenure as the president of the Helsinki University of Art and Design, he not only transformed it into the premier design school in Northern Europe but also successfully integrated design into Finland's national innovation system. He spearheaded the creation of Aalto University, which has since become the global standard for interdisciplinary innovation education. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in establishing CUMULUS, the preeminent global association for art and design education and research, making invaluable contributions to international cooperation in design education. His global vision, along with his spirit of openness, innovation, and collaboration, are increasingly crucial in our current era.