Partner full and short name:
- The official full name: Oy Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu – Vasa yrkeshögskola Ab
- The full name used in English: Vaasa University of Applied Sciences
- Short name: VAMK
Vaasa University of Applied Sciences (VAMK) offers education in technology, economics, international business, health care and social services. VAMK is located in a region which has the biggest energy cluster of Scandinavia. Working life cooperation, entrepreneurship, internationalisation and technological know-how are at VAMK’s core. VAMK has 3 main research platforms which are linked to teaching. One of them is “Smart Industry” which has a future focus for example on renewable energy solutions.
VAMK’s participating unit, Western Finland Design Centre MUOVA is a multidisciplinary research and development centre that implements design methods, creativity and innovation to different fields, and runs applied research, development and innovation activities. It promotes international competitiveness of the society and companies, especially that of SMEs and micro companies, and trains future and current work force of companies.
Muova develops and provides training and educational solutions where design approaches and creativity are transferred to other. It has executed hundreds of company projects, especially with SMEs and runs the start-up activity of VAMK and the University of Vaasa. This provides a solid basis of field experience to be harnessed for the benefit of research, development and training activities. Muova’s multidisciplinary team includes experts in design, ICT, business and communication studies.
The main expertise VAMK’s Muova brings to the project is its expertise in cooperation with SMEs and their needs including soft skills of the work force, and university SME collaboration.
In line with its expertise VAMK’s Muova will develop and run training to international talents in employment and work-life oriented skills development and recognition, SME aspect, university – SME collaboration, and education activities towards holistic approaches on open innovation management techniques and career-orientation. It will host young international research talents from the Widening countries in Finland while providing them training on the topics of the project.
Relevant publications:
Reboot consortium (2019). Employment Challenges and Training Needs of Unemployed and Underemployed Higher Education Graduates in Europe (Findings from the Reboot Project). Erasmus+ project publication. Available at: https://reboot-project.eu/outcomes/
Reboot career and portfolio development model (2020). Available in the learner’s handbook: https://reboot-project.eu/wp-content/uploads/pdf/(English)%20Handbook%20Reboot%20(Learners).pdf
Laurila, M. 2017. ”We are all in the same boat and rowing together in the same directions”. Manager and employee conceptions of good change leadership. Acta Wasaensia 386. Doctor´s dissertation of Sciences in Eco-nomics and Business Administration. Faculty of Business Studies. Management and Organization. University of Vaasa. Available at https://www.uwasa.fi/materiaali/pdf/isbn_978-952-476-772-9.pdf