This year, TAMK has the distinction of being awarded funding for two TFK projects in the 2025 call—a testament to the TAMK’s commitment to internationalization and educational impact.
Promoting Circular Bioeconomy: CircBioNa
The project ‘Promoting circular bioeconomy in higher education by sharing and refining best practices in Finnish-Namibian collaboration – CircBioNa’ brings together TAMK, University of Turku (UTU), and two Namibian universities: Namibian University of Science and Technology (NUST) and University of Namibia (UNAM). CircBioNa addresses the global challenge of climate change and the need for a green, just transition by leveraging the expertise of higher education institutions. Building on previous collaboration, the project features staff visits, intensive courses, joint curriculum development, and both short- and long-term student and staff exchanges between Finland and Namibia. The impact is seen in intercultural exchange, professional skill development, and strengthened international networks, with sustainability ensured through integration into curricula and institutional strategies.
Advancing Brain Health Education: BraHEdu
The ‘Brain Health Education and Training Program between Finnish and Latin American Higher Education Institutions – BraHEdu’ project strengthens collaboration between TAMK, Tampere University, and the Latin American Brain Health Institute (BrainLat) in Chile. Responding to the growing need for interdisciplinary brain health education, BraHEdu combines Finnish expertise in brain ergonomics with Chilean strengths in dementia research. The project includes hybrid educational events in both countries, development of virtual teaching modules, and short-term exchanges for students and staff. Joint research and curriculum development are central, with a strong focus on sustainability and long-term collaboration. The project enhances intercultural understanding, professional growth, and international mobility for both Finnish and Chilean participants.
Why This Matters?
Securing two TFK projects in a single call is not only a noteworthy accomplishment, but also a valuable opportunity to deepen collaboration with both existing and new partners. Through these projects, TAMK and its collaborators can strengthen their networks, share expertise, and co-develop innovative solutions to global challenges. The projects serve as platforms for building trust and mutual understanding, enabling all participating institutions to learn from each other’s strengths and approaches. Importantly, these initiatives are not limited to their immediate objectives; they also lay the groundwork for future joint projects and long-term cooperation. By engaging in shared activities, joint curriculum development, and mobility programs, the partners can identify new areas for collaboration and prepare for upcoming funding opportunities. In this way, the projects contribute to the sustainable development of international partnerships and ensure that the benefits of cooperation extend well beyond the project period itself.
Authors:
Eeva Heikkilä, project manager, TAMK Project Management Office
Silja Kostia, principal lecturer, TAMK Applied Research Center
