Structure

CEMIS is a contract-based research and training centre specialising in measurement and information systems. The centre is shared by the Universities of Oulu and Jyväskylä, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, and CSC – IT Center For Science and consists of the Measurement Technology Unit (MITY) of the University of Oulu in Kajaani,  Technology Competence Area of the Kajaani University of Applied Science, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland’s industrial internet and applied metrology research in Kajaani, Sports Technology Unit of the University of Jyväskylä in Vuokatti, and CSC’s office in Kajaani. Around 100 metrology and information system experts work at CEMIS. The annual funding of operations has been over 11 million euros in the recent years.

CEMIS’ operations are directed by the CEMIS Strategy Group, which consists of the Rector of the University of Oulu, Director of Kajaani University Consortium, President of Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, Director of Administration and Finance of Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, Vice Head of Department of Biology of Physical Activity Department of the University of Jyväskylä, VTT’s Vice President of Knowledge Intensive Products and Services, Managing Director of CSC, Mayors of the City of Kajaani and the municipality of Sotkamo. CEMIS Director together with a board consisting of the directors of the units involved in CEMIS is in charge of the Centre’s operations.

Cooperation

CEMIS’ success is based on the cooperation between the research and educational institutions participating in the centre’s operations.

The various forms of cooperation are

1. A joint development programme
2. Joint project planning
3. Joint research and technology development projects
4. Jointly funded or shared experts
5. Cooperation within basic and higher degree training, adult education and thesis supervision
6. Shared use of laboratory facilities and equipment
7. Development of a shared technical support
8. Joint marketing and communication services
9. Joint innovation activities using the services and business experts of CEMIS Business Development (CBD) unit that operates at Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, and the innovation services of other research and training institutes participating in CEMIS’ operations.

CEMIS was founded in 2010. Its operations are based on over 40 years’ experience in the metrology (i.e. measurement science and technology) business and over 20 years’ experience in metrology related research activities. Kajaani Oy, a pioneer in the Finnish papermaking industry, founded the Finnish paper industry’s first unit specialising in measurement technology in 1970, which later became an independent company incorporated as Kajaani Elektroniikka Oy. Halfway through the 1980s, Kajaani Oy relinquished its company specialising in measurement technology and the remaining competence base lead to the birth of several different companies specialising in metrology in Kajaani.

Measurement research activities in the Kajaani region began in 1991 when Oulu University established the predecessor of the Measurement Technology Research Unit, the Measurement and Sensor Laboratory. Later, this laboratory was extended with the Biotechnology Laboratory (established 1996), the Kajaani Unit of Information Processing Science (established 2004), and the Centre for Wireless Communications (CWC, Kainuu office established 2007) and renamed CEMIS OULU.

Jyväskylä University established the Sports Technology Unit, and started a Physical Exercise Sciences Masters and Doctoral degree programme specialising in sports technology and physical exercise and well-being measurement research and development activities in 2006. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland established a unit in Kajaani in 2006. MIKES Centre for Metrology and Accreditation began its operations in Kajaani in 2010.

CEMIS was founded in 17th of September  2010 by combining Kainuu based technology research and education from the University of Oulu, University of Jyväskylä, Kajaani university of applied sciences’ information processing, MIKES and VTT. Since 2014 the mechanical and mining engineering competence area of Kajaani university of applied sciences became also a part of CEMIS. In the beginning of 2015 MIKES merged into VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, which also became VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. The latest member CSC – IT Center For Science Ltd. joined CEMIS in August 2016. Same year the abbreviation of the Measurement Technology Unit of the University of Oulu was changed from CEMIS OULU to MITY.