Speakers

Mika Erik Tapio Sillanpää

Place of Birth : Alastaro, Finland
Position : Professor, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Field of study : Water treatment and environmental engineering.

Professor Mika Erik Tapio Sillanpää is a distinguished academic with over 30 years of experience in water treatment and environmental engineering. He earned his M.Sc. (Eng.) and D.Sc. (Eng.) degrees from Aalto University, Finland, where he also completed an MBA. His career has seen him hold full professorships at multiple prestigious institutions, including the University of Oulu, the University of Eastern Finland, the LUT University, Aarhus University, and the University of Johannesburg. He is also set to join XAUAT University in China in September 2025. Professor Sillanpää's extensive research contributions are evidenced by his high h-index of 142 on Google Scholar and his consistent recognition as a "Highly Cited Researcher" by Thomson Reuters in multiple disciplines. In recognition of his global academic standing, he has been elected as a Member of the Finnish Academy of Sciences and Letters and the Technology Academy of Finland. His most recent and notable accolade is the prestigious "Changjiang (Yangtze River) Scholar" award, the highest academic honor conferred in higher education in China.

• Doctoral degree (1997): Aalto University, Finland
• M.Sc. (Eng.): Aalto University, Finland
• D.Sc. (Eng.): Aalto University, Finland
• MBA (2013): Aalto University, Finland

• Over 30 years of experience in water treatment and environmental engineering.
• Full Professor at the University of Oulu, the University of Eastern Finland, the LUT University, Aarhus University, and the University of Johannesburg since 2000.
• Starting a new position at XAUAT University in China in September 2025.
• Current H-index is 142 (Google Scholar).