Developing the Forssa campus: A new educational model tailored in collaboration with regional stakeholders
HAMK wants to develop the Forssa campus closely and sustainably in cooperation with the city and regional actors. The goal is to reform teaching and activities at the Forssa campus to better serve the region.
A new education model tailored to the needs of local businesses and combining multiple fields will be designed for the Forssa campus. By May 2026, 2–3 alternative models will be co-created through collaboration. HAMK will select one of these models to be implemented immediately. The chosen model will be attractive to students pursuing their first degree and offer a compelling pathway to higher education for upper secondary students in the region.
Discussions with companies and stakeholders about the education model will continue throughout November and December. In early 2026, the joint development work will proceed through dialogue between companies, stakeholders, students, and HAMK experts. This collaborative process will result in a new education model tailored specifically for Forssa.
Forssa is seen as a technology-driven region with companies that have a modern outlook. The aim is to build a flexible education model that broadly integrates HAMK’s offerings beyond engineering disciplines.
Aiming for Multidisciplinarity
The new model also aims to increase student interest in entrepreneurship and strengthen startup activities. It is not just about a degree – it’s about the vitality of the entire region. Students will solve real business challenges and learn by doing. Every teacher will act not only as a mentor but also as a builder of business collaboration. Forssa campus will be the hub for this joint development.
In addition to the new education model, we are also developing social and health care education at Forssa. As previously announced, a new entrepreneurship-oriented Bachelor of Social Services programme will begin next autumn in response to changes in the sector. This continues the earlier launch of an entrepreneurship-oriented nursing programme. These programmes support the long-term goal of establishing a multidisciplinary business accelerator in Forssa.
Sustainable development degree programme has also committed to continued collaboration with Forssa region stakeholders. As previously communicated, new students in the full-time sustainable development programme will primarily study at the Hämeenlinna campus starting next autumn, but the part-time group will continue its studies in Forssa as usual. In addition, international ICT engineering students specialising in circular economy will pursue their full-time studies in Forssa. Thus, sustainability and responsibility expertise will be widely available to organisations.
More information:
Anne-Mari Järvenpää
Principal Research Scientist, tenure track