We are Senior Nursing Lecturers from Tampere University of Applied and we visited in University of West Bohemian in Plzen, Czech Republic in May 2026 for an intensive staff exchange week by Erasmus+. In University of West Bohemian students can pursue several bachelor’s degree programs, such as general nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, paramedical science, radiologist assistant, orthotics and prosthetics.
Higher education teaching and guidance staff, together with a broad group of experts, encounter many different colleagues, students and stakeholder representatives in their daily work. In every situation, participants bring with them their own selves, experiences and preconceptions. We worked with these themes at The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS) in spring 2026.
What happens when 80 chemistry students step outside the classroom and start negotiating in English under the trees on campus?
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.
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.
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.
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.
