What kinds of skills will be needed in the future Europe? And what kind of greetings would you send to young people considering an international career? – TAMK leadership answers a high school intern’s questions 

The Tampere Region EU Office had the opportunity last week to host representatives of Tampere University of Applied Sciences and the UNINOVIS alliance of European higher education institutions at its office. At the alliance’s Board of Presidents and Management meeting, they discussed for example ways to increase European cooperation between higher education institutions and strengthen the impact of the network. Alongside the meeting, TAMK President and CEO Mika Hannula, Vice President for RDI Ari Sivula, Competence Manager Pauliina Mansikkamäki and UNINOVIS Project Manager Tiina Koskiranta answered the high school trainee’s questions. The responses emphasized the importance of RDI activities and internationality. 

What is UNINOVIS? 

The UNINOVIS network, consisting of eight European higher education institutions, spent two days in sweltering heat in Brussels. At the meeting of the alliance composed of higher education institutions, they discussed, among other things, administrative matters, the purpose and future of the alliance, and increasing its impact especially through RDI activities. The network gathers for such meetings about twice a year and otherwise holds meetings remotely. UNINOVIS is an unusual higher education network because it has defined that it will focus specifically on understanding the importance of applied data and its sustainable use. The long-term goal is to make UNINOVIS the leading university in Europe focused on data science. 

The significance and future of the UNINOVIS alliance as well as how Tampere University of Applied Sciences became part of the community are explained by TAMK’s Vice President responsible for research, development and innovation activities, Ari Sivula. 

Why is UNINOVIS important for TAMK? 

– UNINOVIS is an important alliance for TAMK. It advances our education, but above all our RDI activities. Our goal is to triple our RDI volume and impact, and UNINOVIS is one important entity in achieving this goal, Sivula states. 

And how did TAMK end up in the UNINOVIS alliance? 

– TAMK was one of the most active actors when the UNINOVIS higher education alliance began to be built. Thanks to high-quality preparation work, the alliance was ultimately accepted with top scores. Great thanks for this belong to the skilled project preparers, Sivula says. 

In the near future, the cooperation alliance will include, among other things, resolving its funding issues for the coming years, turning shared goals and visions into concrete actions for example through student programmes, and strengthening European identity in education. 

Future skill needs in Europe 

As a good bridge from strengthening European identity, we move to European competence. Global transformation and megatrends affect everything, including higher education. Technological development in the 21st century is unparalleled in history. Digitalization has become the norm, and artificial intelligence has also taken a permanent place in our society. If one wants to keep up with development, new times require learning new skills. But what are these future skill needs and how does TAMK respond to them? The matter is commented on by TAMK President and CEO Mika Hannula. 

– Europe’s key skill needs are related to commercialization, venture capital, international business, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer. Europe is an old cultural region, but it has fallen behind in areas of expertise that are utilitarian in nature and directly affect the continent’s competitiveness. TAMK does its part in strengthening these skill needs by investing more in multidisciplinary applied research as well as entrepreneurship education, Hannula states. 

There are almost 70 different degree programmes at Tampere University of Applied Sciences, each aiming to provide its students with as comprehensive and internationally competitive learning as possible. In addition to the major questions raised by Hannula, TAMK’s goal is also to teach its students basic skills for operating in workplaces and other communities, which TAMK’s Competence Manager Pauliina Mansikkamäki highlights: 

– We teach students punctuality and project skills, meaning that things are done on schedule and as agreed. That is perhaps also the Finnish attitude that we bring to UNINOVIS, Mansikkamäki describes. 

Greetings to young people considering an international career 

Despite international tensions, there are more opportunities for internationalization in the world than ever before. There are numerous different opportunities, both across Europe and globally. Internationalization opens new doors and perspectives. It came as no surprise that each TAMK representative strongly encouraged seeking international experiences. 

When asked for greetings to young people considering an international career, Project Manager Tiina Koskiranta, who focuses on UNINOVIS network matters, brings up many perspectives. 

– With long experience in a higher education career, I dare to say that an international career opens quickly for those who, during their studies, participate in international activities, take advantage of different opportunities, and go out and do things. Today there are so many opportunities available. For example, in the UNINOVIS alliance, students can in the future complete their studies flexibly at any UNINOVIS partner institution. Internships can be done abroad, studies done at home will include more international components, and both students and staff are encouraged to mobility, learning from others, and joint research, Koskiranta states and continues: – Today, there is hardly any field where internationality is not needed. It is about working with people, and you learn that by doing. So definitely: go and do, Koskiranta encourages. 

Vice President Sivula also highlights the necessity of internationalization. 

– Internationality is nowadays a necessity. Today’s and future business environments are inherently international. International competence is worthwhile for many reasons, and there are many opportunities for it in higher education institutions. A student should aim for study or internship exchange, in addition to which internationalization at home is an excellent way to develop one’s skills, Sivula reminds. 

Judging from the speeches of the TAMK delegation, there is no single predetermined path to internationalization; rather, everyone has the opportunity to develop their language skills, thinking, and interaction in a way that suits them. The responses emphasize that one simply needs to dare to be brave and face different situations and cultures. One does not need to be perfect, for example in language skills or cultural knowledge, as long as one is open-minded and willing to learn something new. 

 
At the UNINOVIS network meeting, ideas were exchanged and partnerships strengthened (Photo: Sami Järvinen / tampere.eu) 

Growing importance of the Tampere Region EU Office for TAMK 

After an interesting discussion on higher education and competence, we turn our attention toward the Tampere Region EU Office, in which TAMK acts as one of the funders. The university’s leaders answer what kind of significance the EU Office has specifically for TAMK. 

– The significance is growing. A key strategic goal of TAMK is to strengthen its applied research, which requires more international cooperation and the acquisition of EU-based funding. Our expectations for the Tampere Region EU Office in advancing this goal are high, President Hannula says. 

– It is of growing importance. With the Tampere region EU Office, which has been operating for a couple of years, we expand our impact and seek new pathways especially for strengthening RDI activities through networks. From TAMK’s perspective, the activities have developed in a good direction, Sivula comments. 

What do you expect from the future? 

Thursday’s meeting day is just about to begin, but there is still time for one final question. Originally intended as a light question, it turns out to be surprisingly profound if one thinks about it more. TAMK representatives were finally asked what they expect from the future. 

– TAMK is already the most respected university of applied sciences in Finland among young adults. As president, I expect it to take its place not only as a very respected educator but also as a national frontrunner in applied research. Personally, I am right now looking forward to my summer vacation, which begins immediately after this meeting trip, President Hannula states. 

– It is very important that young people have a vision and hope for a better future, and that they have the opportunity to influence and create a good European future. Higher education institutions play a major role in how young people, and why not adults as well, see the future, so that we understand that together we can create that better future and world, Project Manager Koskiranta describes. 

Vice President Sivula and Competence Manager Mansikkamäki say that the academic year at the university is almost wrapped up, and both are eagerly looking forward to the soon-beginning summer vacation. The EU institutions in Brussels will also head there by July at the latest. Bon été !