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Styron International Master Program Program OverviewStudy across China and FinlandStyron International Master Program is established by Styron LLC (http://www.styron.com/) with collaboration of Åbo Akademi University in Finland (http://www.abo.fi/?lang=en). The program sponsors the cream of crop master students in Chinese top universities (1st year master students preferred) to have an 18-month master study in Finland at Åbo Akademi University. During the period of studying, Styron will support the student financially with a monthly stipendium.

Learn from World Class FacultyThe selected student is required to complete a masters thesis project under supervision of Prof. Martti Toivakka – a highly recognized professor in surface treatment, in the Laboratory of Paper Coating and Converting within Department of Chemical Engineering and Prof. Pekka Salminen – R&D Fellow of Styron, Adjunct Professor at South China University of Technology.

The masters thesis project focuses on fundamental studies on paper coating application and employs modern equipment to generate new insights into industrially relevant problems. Master degree in Chemical Engineering of Åbo Akademi University will be granted after completion of required study credits and the thesis project.

Deepen Understanding of the IndustryDuring the period of studying, Styron will facilitate the student to have industry networking with industrial experts in paper coating worldwide.

About Styron

Styron is a leading global materials company and manufacturer of plastics, latex and rubber, dedicated to collaborating with customers to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions. Styron’s technology is used by customers in industriessuch as home appliances, automotive, building & construction, carpet, consumer electronics, consumer goods, electrical & lighting, medical, packaging, paper & paperboard, rubber goods and tires. Styron had approximately $5.3 billion in revenue in 2013, with 19 manufacturing sites around the world, and approximately2,100 employees.

In 2015, Styron is becoming Trinseo, now listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), ticker TSE. We will continue to deliver innovative plastics, latex, and rubber materials that are intrinsic to enhancing sustainability, pushing technology forward, and elevating our customers’ success.

More information can be found at www.styron.com

About Åbo Akademi

Åbo Akademi University is an internationally acknowledged research university with an extensive responsibility for providing education in Swedish in Finland. The activities cover research and education in most disciplines from the humanities, pedagogics and theology to social sciences, natural sciences and technology. The abundant supply enables multidisciplinary entities in both research and education. Åbo Akademi University has a strong position on the Finnish educational market, in the interaction with society and business life, and in international research. Invarious external comparisons Åbo Akademi University has been ranked among the best universities in Finland.

Åbo Akademi University provides a unique environment for research and education in the historical campus areas of Åbo (Turku in Finnish), Vasa (Vaasa in Finnish)and Jakobstad (Pietarsaari in Finnish). The University also offers many cultural activities, such as student choirs, a symphony orchestra, an orchestra for students of technology etc. With its 7,000 students and 1,300 employees, Åbo Akademi University is an international, inspiring and unique university.

Prof. Martti Toivakka

Martti Toivakka is currently a full professor and head of the Laboratory of Paper Coating and Converting at Åbo Akademi University, Finland (www.abo.fi/lpcc). He received his doctoral degree in chemical engineering in the area of paper chemistry in 1998. His research group is a member of the Academy of Finland appointed Center of Excellence for Functional Materials, which develops functional materials and demonstrates devices for printed intelligence.

His research interests include novel coating and surface treatment methods for natural fiber-based products, printing as a fabrication method and use of paper as a substrate for printed electronics. He has (co-) authored over 130 peer-reviewed scientific publications and is currently the guest editor of Chemical Engineering and Processing – special issue of Coating and Drying of Thin Films.

He has organized and been the chairman of 2006 TAPPI Advanced Coating Fundamentals Symposium and the 2011 European Coating Symposium, both held in Turku, Finland. Furthermore, he has arranged numerous international short courses for industrial professionals and doctoral level students, the recent ones being Coating and Drying of Thin Films – Fundamentals & Applications with a Special Topic on Printed and Organic Electronics in 2011, Pigment Coating Technology in 2012, and Advanced Printing Technology in 2014.

Prof. Pekka Salminen

Born in Finland, Pekka Salminen studied paper and physical chemistry at Abo Akademi and was awarded a Ph.D. in 1989 for his thesis “Water Transport in Paper during Short Contact Times”. Salminen joinedDow Chemical in 1989 as a technical service. From 2001 to 2004, he led Dow’s Technical Service andDevelopment organization in Europe and in 2004 he was appointed as Global Technology Leader. In2010 he was named as R&D Fellow in Styron.

Salminen acted as Adjunct Professor in paper surface treatment at Karlstad University in 2001 - 2008. He was named Docent in paper coating chemistry at Abo Akademi University in 2009 and Adjunct Professor at South China University of Technology in 2011. He was accepted into High-end Foreign Expert Program administrated by The State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, and Famous Oversea Teacher Program administrated by Ministry of Education of China.

Salminen has authored more than 70 scientific articles and is a frequent speaker at international conferences. His extensive research has especially focused on the colloid chemistry of coating colors, blade coating application technology, high-speed runnability, film coating, coating binder technology, coating dewatering and immobilization, co-binders, printability, liquid transport in paper and board coating technology. He won several high profile awards as a result of his great contributions to many research projects including several beast paper award of TAPPI PaperConf.