Aalto University and South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences engage in strategic collaboration

Aalto University and South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences Xamk have agreed upon strategic collaboration. The institutions’ collaboration is intensified in education, research and innovation activities.

With regard to education, the most important objectives are to make student transfers between Aalto University and Xamk more flexible and to offer cross-boundary learning opportunities. In addition, collaboration will be increased in the development of opportunities related to online studying and education export as well as in sharing the expertise of the teaching staff.

Renewing the world of work through research and innovations

Both Aalto and Xamk have undertaken to improve the national competitiveness and to build a sustainable society by contributing to the emergence of new innovations and by fostering entrepreneurship. This is carried out by improving the collaboration in research and innovation activities.

In addition, the collaboration aims at improving the efficient and flexible use of both parties’ research infrastructure and facilities.

‘Aalto University wishes to collaborate with Finnish higher education institutions and companies – together we are stronger in the international competition. I’m convinced that the intensifying collaboration in the fields of technology, art and business between Aalto’s innovation ecosystem and operators in South-East Finland will create new know-how, reformative capacity, vitality and job openings. Aalto University and Xamk’s bio-economy teaching and piloting collaboration plans are already well underway’, states Ilkka Niemelä, President of Aalto University.

‘This move is Xamk’s strategic objective and it provides us with a better position with regard to the structural change of the Finnish higher education institution field. I’m pleased that of all universities Aalto – a cutting edge university with a strong orientation towards the business sector – is our strategic partner. This kind of close collaboration between independent operators can be described as the so-called third road. The ownership and the right of decision remains within the region’, states Jyrki Koivikko, Chairman of the Xamk Board of Directors.

‘This is a significant development for those who have completed master’s degree in Xamk. Now they can continue their studies in Aalto’s doctoral programmes if they meet the requirements. We will provide clear descriptions of these requirements jointly with Aalto’, explains Heikki Saastamoinen, Xamk CEO and President.