Technology industry produces more than half of Finland’s exports and is an important national player. An important factor in the success of the industry is the availability and skills of the workforce. According to reports from the Ministry of Education and Culture, modular degrees, individual ad flexible study paths, identification and recognition of previous competencies and continuous learning are highlighted. The weak attractiveness of higher education in technology is a national problem, also in Pohjois-Savo region and North Karelia.

Pohjois-Savo and North Karelia have strong machinery and metal industries. There is no university in these provinces with an emphasis on technology. The needs and important themes have been recognised in the region by survey to recognise the study paths of continuous learning and flexible for the M.Sc. degree studies.Master of Science (Automation Engineering) Program  is implemented by UEF and the University of Tampere and language of instruction is Finnish. M.Sc. in Automation Technology program will start in autumn 2021.

In addition, new implementations and forums for university-level technology education in Finland have been compiled, such as the FITech network. The project implement a cross-regional cooperation, as the theme, needs and challenges are very similar in both Pohjois-Savo and North Karelia. The aim of the project is to increase attractiveness of the technical field and to obtain a highly skilled workforce to the regions of Pohjois-Savo and North Karelia.

The aim is also to design and pilot higher education modules for continuous learning in technology field, as well as to plan a regional education path for those who are graduated in bachelor’s degree in technology. In addition, the goal of the project is to participate in FITech degree planning and preparation. 

The project is divided into four activities:

• Attractiveness of technology field
• Attractiveness of the regionthe enhancement of knowledge
• New pedagogical solutions and university cooperation

 As a results of the project, the attractiveness of technology will increase in the study choices of young people in the region, the number of people completing higher education studies in technology will increase in the region, opportunities for continuous learning will improve, flexible M.Sc. learning path models will be composed and education possibilities cooperation with FITech network will be provided.

Main actors in the project are Savonia UAS, Karelia UAS and UEF.   Funded by the European Sosial Fund (ESF). Project implementation time 1.7.2020-30.6.2023. 

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