HAMK joins the European Universities initiative
Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) is a member of the RUN-EU Regional University Network, which has been approved by the European Commission as one of 24 new European Universities alliances.
The purpose of European higher education networks is to build future higher education, promote mobility and develop in-depth cooperation between the networks. The European University initiative also aims to strengthen the position of European universities in international competition.
In addition to Häme University of Applied Sciences, the RUN-EU network includes seven other universities from Portugal, Ireland, the Netherlands, Hungary and Austria. The network is led by the Portuguese Politécnico de Leiria.
– HAMK’s responsibilities in the consortium are pedagogical development, identifying the skills needed in the future and building competitiveness for these areas. Piloting the Design Factory concept is also part of the development of education, says Kati Heikkinen, Head of International Affairs.
– It is great to see that the effort is producing results and HAMK is helping to build European competitiveness through new types of consortium. The EU has reserved targeted Horizon funding for the consortium to strengthen research activities, says Rector Pertti Puusaari.
– We now have an important international university in the region with extensive networks. This brings benefits especially to the HAMK students and the region. It is wonderful to build a new, huge campus that offers students plenty of opportunities for building their own future, Vice Rector Heidi Ahokallio-Leppälä continues.
Finland has a strong representation in European higher education networks. There are a total of 41 funded networks and 11 of them include Finnish higher education institutions. In this round of applications for the new European Universities alliances, the first Finnish universities of applied sciences such as HAMK, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Karelia University of Applied Sciences, as well as the universities of Oulu, Turku and Vaasa were included. In last year’s round of applications, Aalto University and the universities of Eastern Finland, Jyväskylä and Tampere were included.
Background information
RUN (The Regional University Network) “Delivering on Future and Advanced Skills for Societal Transformation in the EU Regions”.
The network includes the following universities:
Polytechnic of Leiria (Portugal)
Polytechnic of Cavado and Ave (Portugal)
Athlone Institute of Technology (Ireland)
Limerick Institute of Technology (Ireland)
NHL Stenden (Netherlands)
Häme University of Applied Sciences (Finland)
Széchenyi István University (Hungary)
FH Vorarlberg (Austria)
The RUN network forms a network of regional higher education institutions that are committed to promoting social change through sustainable regional development. In the network, higher education institutions together produce and enable teaching, learning and research, and conduct joint projects that meet future competence needs. The ability for students and staff to move between institutions on short-term and flexible contracts are a key operating model for achieving the goals.
