Thank you, Pauli: A Warm Farewell and Best Wishes for Retirement

I was lucky to meet Pauli around 6 years ago, as a NOAD and immediately I understood that he is a big supporter of Open Science. Few years later we collaborated and had the chance to get to know a colleague that is a good listener, with great ideas and insights, very kind and supportive.

Pauli you have my respect, thank you for the opportunity to work with you, looking forward to meeting you again.

Androniki Pavlidou, Industry Liaison, OpenAIRE

Working alongside Pauli Assinen on the OpenAIRE Executive Board and across our open science initiatives has been an absolute privilege. Over the years, I have come to know Pauli not only as an exceptional professional whose dedication to Helsinki University Library and the European open science landscape set a benchmark for us all, but also as a remarkably kind, warm, and uplifting colleague.

No matter how complex the discussions were, his welcoming smile, thoughtful insights, and genuine willingness to support everyone in the room consistently brought clarity and camaraderie to our work. As both a fellow Executive Board member and on behalf of the Turkish Open Science community, I want to express my deepest gratitude for his invaluable contributions and friendship.

Pauli, your presence around the table will be profoundly missed, and I wish you every happiness, health, and fulfillment in this well-deserved new chapter of your life.

Gültekin Gürdal, IZTECH, Izmir Institute of Technology

Pauli and I go a long way back, to the days when he became NOAD for Finland. But it was during our years together on the Executive Board of OpenAIRE that I truly got to know and appreciate him.

Pauli played a crucial role in helping us mature as an organisation. In his uniquely gentle and respectful way, he challenged us to be more efficient, to document our processes properly, and to approach our work with greater precision and professionalism.

As Treasurer, Pauli was instrumental in establishing the financial workflows that gave the organisation a solid foundation. He consistently encouraged us to look beyond the immediate horizon, reminding us of the need to diversify our income streams.

Yet what I will remember most is not only what Pauli did, but who he is. He combines expertise and rigour with kindness and humour. His witty observations often made me laugh.

Pauli, thank you for your dedication, wisdom, integrity, and friendship over all these years. OpenAIRE has benefited enormously from your contributions, and you leave us all, who have worked closely with you, with many fond memories and deep appreciation.

It has been a privilege to work with you, and an even greater privilege to know you. I wish you all the very best for the future.

Inge Van Nieuwerburgh, Ghent University

It was always a great pleasure for me to meet Pauli at OpenAIRE and other community events, and to work with him in the OpenAIRE Executive Board. His contributions and comments in strategic discussions and in financial and administrative matters were always to the point and insightful, with great attention to detail where necessary, at times with a sprinkling of his witty humor on top.

Thank you for everything and I wish you a happy and fulfilling retirement, you will be greatly missed!

Birgit Schmidt, University of Göttingen

Pauli has been with OpenAIRE since the very beginning and has been instrumental in shaping it into what it is today. Always pragmatic, and with the patience to keep an eye on our finances over the years, he has consistently pushed us to think about the business side of things, to be realistic, focused and sustainable.

But Pauli also has a wonderfully creative side. Those of us who were at the first Open Science Fair in Athens in 2017 will certainly remember the revelation of his acting talent in our little theatre performance.

Wishing him an equally creative and rewarding continuation!

Natalia Manola, CEO, OpenAIRE

Thank you, Pauli

Pauli's contribution has helped OpenAIRE grow and mature over the years, while his support for Open Science has connected colleagues and communities well beyond the organisation itself.

From all of us at OpenAIRE: thank you, Pauli, for everything you have contributed and for the many memories along the way. We wish you a happy and fulfilling retirement and all the very best for what comes next!