Our recent visit to North Carolina State University (NCSU) was more than just a study trip. It was a reminder of how international collaboration, shared curiosity, and open discussion can drive both education and research forward. During a busy and inspiring week in Raleigh, we explored laboratories, met colleagues, and reflected on how our long-standing partnership can evolve for the future.
What makes a Finnish sauna attractive to Japanese travelers? The answer to this question is a top priority for the STEAM project. Responses to a pilot market study among potential Japanese travelers will help the project focus future activities in a suitable way.
When the summer was just around the corner, I was offered the opportunity to attend a UNINOVIS workshop in Paris at the end of June. I was happy to go and represent TAMK in the most romantic city of the world even though the event took place during my summer break. That was no issue at all, but other challenges arose as the worst heatwave in France’s recorded history the very same day as did I. Indeed, the UNINOVIS workshop held from 24 to 26 June coincided with the hottest days ever recorded in France.
The International Week at Kauno Kolegija in April 2026 offered opportunities to visit different campuses, participate in activities, discuss with international partners, and generate initiatives for future UNINOVIS cooperation. In this blog post, we discuss about collaboration from four perspectives: collaboration emerging through activities at the Arts Campus, the significance of communication in simulation-based teaching, fostering a sense of community through storytelling, and the role of personal meetings in initiating collaborative efforts.
In June 2026, I participated in an Erasmus+ staff mobility programme by attending an international professional development course in Rethymno, Crete. The training, organized by the University of Crete eLearning Lab, was held from 15 to 19 June and focused on the theme “Artificial Intelligence, Soft Skills and Creativity in the Classroom.”
The rapidly changing security environment, accelerating technological development, and growing resilience requirements are reshaping priorities across Europe. Universities and universities of applied sciences are increasingly expected not only to educate future professionals but also to contribute to innovation, preparedness, and societal resilience. Against this backdrop, the NATO Science & Technology Organization (STO) has published its 2026 Collaborative Programme of Work (CPoW), offering valuable insight into the research themes and technological capabilities that are expected to shape the future of security, defence, and resilience.
Kylät yli kuntarajojen is a rural development project in the Pirkanmaa region, Finland. The project aims to protect and develop rural services and the economy through multiple channels, working together with local communities and regional and provincial partners. Project aims to develop pilot projects and operational models that can be replicated in other villages. It is a partnership between Ikaalisten Kehitys Oy, the City of Ikaalinen, and Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK). Other collaborators include Pirkanmaa Leader group, Pirha, Sasky, Pirkan kylät and local villages.
Study counselling is an essential part of pedagogical activities at universities of applied sciences in Finland. Although study counselling in Finland is often organized differently compared to many other European countries, we can still learn a lot by benchmarking universities of applied sciences across Europe. Two TAMK student counsellors planned and implemented a benchmarking and job-shadowing visit to THUAS in The Hague as part of an Erasmus-funded staff exchange week in April 2026 to gain new insights into study counselling and student wellbeing support.
The Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture published a new vision for higher education and research in June 2026, setting the direction for Finland’s future competitiveness, wellbeing, and skills development. [okm.fi] The core message is clear: education, research-based knowledge, and competence are the foundation of Finland’s success.
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.
