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TAMK International

Posts from 2026

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism – An Opportunity for TAMK in Education, RDI and International Cooperation

Europe’s security environment has changed rapidly in recent years. Climate change, extreme weather events, major accidents, cyber threats and geopolitical crises are increasingly visible also in Europe and Finland. In response to these challenges, the EU has strengthened the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) – a framework that also offers significant funding opportunities for higher education institutions, including TAMK.

Building circular economy through multisectoral collaboration – Highlights from a Namibian study visit to Finland

From late April to early May 2026 delegation of nine Namibians, university students and staff, visited Turku and Tampere to learn about circular economy business and technology solutions, education and research examples as well as the role of cities as an enabler of circular economy. One key take away was the importance and effectiveness of multisectoral collaboration witnessed in Finland. While context in Namibia differ from that of Finland, increased multisectoral collaboration is an adaptable model to help support circular economy development in Namibia as well. This was highlighted in the feedback asking what the visitors had learned about circular economy in Finland.

Vocational Teacher Education, Inclusion, and Preparatory Pathways in Germany: Reflections from a Study Visit to Mainz

In May 2026 (17–21 May), I conducted a study visit to Mainz, Germany, with the objective of examining vocational teacher education and inclusive pedagogical practices in the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate. This study visit to Mainz was part of an Erasmus+ Staff Mobility for Training exchange. It was based on a reciprocal collaboration between Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) and the Studienseminar Mainz. One week before my visit, two experts from the Studienseminar visited TAMK to learn about Finnish vocational teacher education and the Finnish education system.

Industry Collaboration Starts by Stepping Out – Insights from Company Visits

Education and RDI activities at TAMK are built in close collaboration with working life. This is not a new ambition or a separate objective, but a fundamental way of operating as a university of applied sciences. During the spring, we visited Patria, Volvo, and Etteplan to further strengthen this collaboration in practice.

Creative economies in the Baltic Sea Region: what regions gain from deeper connection and active cooperation?

Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) aim to strengthen regional competitiveness by building on local strengths and fostering innovation through collaboration. Increasingly, there is recognition that these strategies would greatly benefit from embracing the creative economy. Yet across the Baltic Sea Region and beyond, creative and cultural industries (CCI) still struggle to find a clear and consistent place within regional planning. This creates a paradox; Creative ecosystems are already contributing to talent retention, startup creation, and regional attractiveness, but they often remain only loosely connected to the strategic frameworks that are meant to guide regional development.

International Staff Week in Nice – learning, networking, and new perspectives

In spring 2026, I participated in the International Staff Week 2026 event in Nice, organized by ISIM Business School. During the week, 130 participants from around 15 different countries came together to share experiences, learn new things, and build international networks. The week offered a well-balanced combination of structured program, discussions, and informal interaction.

PTSD Is Treatable: What an International CPT Seminar Brought to TAMK

Post-traumatic stress disorder is treatable, and effective, evidence-based methods already exist to support recovery. One of them is Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), a structured treatment approach developed by Professor Emerita Patricia A. Resick of Duke University and widely recommended for PTSD treatment. In May, three TAMK experts took part in an international seminar in Tampere organized by Tampere University to deepen their understanding of CPT and its relevance for education, research, and professional practice at TAMK. The seminar offered not only updated knowledge, but also new perspectives on how trauma expertise can be strengthened and shared.