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TAMK International

Posts from 2026

NATO STO 2026 Challenges Universities to Rethink Their Role

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.

Ikaalinen visits - Huopion markkinat

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.

Connecting Campuses: Student Counsellors Discover THUAS

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 New Vision for Higher Education 2040 Calls for Renewal

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.

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.