HAMK Stories International Edition 2016

HAMK

STORIES International edition 2016

Studying in Finland – why and how?

The most intensive week – HAMK and ­ World Model United Nations in South Korea

Construction double degree students spend two years in Denmark Teacher Education in HAMK – Global Perspectives

Contents World-class education in modern learning facilities.............. 3 Making dreams come true............................................................ 4 Quality assurance at HAMK Professional Higher Education.................................................... 6 HAMK’S degree programmes.......................................................7 Putting our skills into practise ....................................................10 A ROBOT designed by students led the field in a c­ ompetition in Germany................................12 Intensive week provides students with business contacts and new friends..................................14 I hate salmiakki – but otherwise Finland is pretty cool! ......16 Construction double degree students spend two years in Denmark ..................................................... 17 Summer technology projects bring students and companies together with impressive results! ........................18 Master’s degree students attend thesis camp ......................19 Teacher education in HAMK – Global perspectives............20 Professional teacher education ................................................21 This is Finland ...............................................................................22

Bachelor-level degree programmes conducted in English: Construction Engineering Bachelor of Engineering (full-time) Hämeenlinna

Electrical and Automation Engineering Bachelor of Engineering (full-time) Valkeakoski

Master-level degree programmes conducted in English:

Mechanical Engineering and Production Technology Bachelor of Engineering (full-time) Riihimäki

International Business Bachelor of Business Administration (full-time and part-time) Valkeakoski

Business Management and Entrepreneurship (part-time) Hämeenlinna

Professional teacher education conducted in English:

Professional Teacher Education (part-time) Hämeenlinna

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World-class education in modern learning facilities Here at Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK), we offer not only world-class education, but also modern learning facilities and methods. HAMK, with its seven campuses, is a state-recognised higher education institution with over 7000 students from 70 countries. We offer several bachelorlevel and master-level degree programmes, and around 10 double degree programmes with partner universities around the world. Five of our degree programmes are delivered in English and each field of education offers courses in English.

Our goal is to ensure that all aspects of the student’s life are taken care of, and we believe that a balanced everyday life provides the best framework for students to become outstanding global citizens and experts in their professional fields. Student wellbeing, in addition to issues regarding the academic environment, includes such areas as social integration, employment prospects and professional development during and after studies, study guidance services and comfortable housing conditions.

Learning is organised in terms of projects according to the needs and demands of the labour market. In order to link research and development into teaching, our students do real-life projects and write commissioned theses. Entrepreneurship, creativity and innovativeness are core elements of teaching. All students receive basic knowledge of entrepreneurship and business competence in their own field.

FUAS, the Federation of Universities of Applied Sciences, is a strategic alliance formed by Häme, Lahti and Laurea Universities of Applied Sciences. We operate in the Greater Helsinki Metropolitan Area and have been nominated as centres of excellence for more than 10 times. Together we offer our students a very wide range of study opportunities.

Follow us: www.facebook.com/hamkuas www.youtube.com/hamkuas www.youtube.com/hamkstories (video blog from our students) www.pinterest.com/hamkuas twitter.com/HAMK_UAS instagram.com/hamk_uas

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Making

dreams

come true Text by Pertti Puusaari, rector Photo by Ville Salminen

I began in my current job as the President of HAMK in spring 2013. Before that, I had worked in different positions in our institution for almost 20 years. If I was to name one thing that has changed in that time, it would be our level of internationalisation. Twenty years ago, just a few of the teachers at the institute of technology where I worked spoke English – luckily, also the number of foreign visitors was low, not to mention that of foreign students. Initially I was afraid of the new developments, but soon I found myself thinking that my dream institution would involve real, genuine, effortless and interactive cooperation with international partners. My dream was a campus where students representing different continents, cultures and nationalities would enjoy working in the same projects and also share activities in their free time.

Today, more than 700 foreign students are studying in the six English-language degree programmes offered by HAMK, and hundreds of our own students have completed studies abroad. We are actively implementing teacher exchange programmes with our partner institutions, and have also launched researcher exchange activities.

In an institution of higher education, the shrinking of the globe means not only active student and staff exchange but

also the international evaluation of our activities. Preparations for the international evaluation of quality management to take place in 2016 have already started.

We have also initiated the goal-oriented development of our international research activities. HAMK is currently forming joint research groups with our international strategic partners. Sharing information, exchanging results and developing new ideas acquire a completely new dimension when work related to the project is being done simultaneously in Brazil and Denmark. This also means more effective utilisation of research results. The first training courses sold abroad and establishing the role of HAMK in the internationalisation of our Kanta-Häme and Southern Pirkanmaa regions constitute further interesting openings in this respect.

I might even venture as far as to say that my dream would seem to be coming true. We still have some way to go. Even today, in our daily lives, few of us pick up the phone to call an international colleague to discuss research projects or student projects. On the whole, the more extensive benefits of internationalisation are still around the corner.

HAMK has around 7300 students around 700 staff members 5 fields of education 4 bachelor’s degrees programmes delivered in English 1 master’s degree programmes delivered in English 1 professional teacher education programme delivered in English

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around 10 double degree programmes with ­ artner universities around the world p over 100 international partner institutions of higher education over 70 ongoing projects annual turnover around 70 million euros R&D funding around 5 million euros

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Quality Assurance at HAMK

In Finland, the Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council (FINHEEC) audits the quality assurance systems in higher education. The quality assurance system of HAMK was audited at the end of 2010. The overall status of HAMK’s quality assurance system is “advanced” which is the highest level and the best ever of a Finnish higher education institution.

At HAMK, quality assurance refers to the procedures, processes or systems that are used to secure and develop the quality of the institution’s education and other operations. Quality assurance comprises quality control and quality development. The HAMK quality assurance system refers to the entity formed by the quality assurance organisation, including its responsibilities, procedures, processes and resources.

Audited by FINHEEC

In Finland, the Finnish Education Evaluation Council (FINEEC) audits the quality assurance systems in higher education. The quality assurance system of HAMK was audited at the end of 2010. The overall status of HAMK’s quality assurance system is “advanced” - which is the highest level and the best ever of a Finnish higher education institution.

International Student Barometer 2010

HAMK students participated in the i-graduate International Student Barometer 2010. According to the results, 85% of our international students recommend HAMK.

Diploma Supplement Label

HAMK has been awarded a Diploma Supplement Label for 2013 – 2016 by the European Commission. The Commission (DG Education and Culture) awards labels to Higher Education Institutions that demonstrate excellence in applying the Diploma Supplement. The Diploma Supplement Label is an honorary distinction.

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Professional

Higher Education

Universities of applied sciences are multi-field institutions of professional higher education. The aim of studies is to provide the necessary knowledge and skills needed in expert functions in the world of work and to meet workplace requirements and development needs.

Universities of applied sciences award bachelor-level degrees and master-level degrees. In all fields of study the curriculum comprises basic and professional studies, optional studies, a practical training period and a thesis. Higher education is funded by the State. Students enrolled in regular degree programmes pay no tuition fees, but do have to pay for their books and other materials, plus their accommodation and living expenses.

Duration in years

6

DOCTORAL DEGREES licentiate degrees

4 – 5

MASTER’S DEGREES

5

MASTER’S DEGREES Work experience 3 years

1 – 3

BACHELOR’S DEGREES Universities

4

BACHELOR’S DEGREES Universities of Applied Sciences Work experience

Specialist vocational qualifications

Further vocational qualifications

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1 – 3

MATRICULATION EXAMINATION General upper secondary schools

VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS Vocationals Institutions and apprenticeship training Work experience

2

Additional basic education

1

and

1 1 – 9

0 ISCED classification

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BASIC EDUCATION (comprehensive schools) 7 – 15-year-olds Pre-primary education, 6-year-olds

ISCED classification: 0 Primary education 1 Primary education or first stage of basic education 2 Lower secondary or second stage of basic education

3 (upper) secondary education 4 Post secondary education 5 First cycle of tertiary education 6 Second cycle of tertiary education

HAMK’S BACHELOR’S PROGRAMMES full-time and part-time studies in English • • • •

Construction Engineering Electrical and Automation Engineering International Business Mechanical Engineering and Production Technology

full-time and part-time studies in Finnish: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Agricultural Industries Biotechnology and Food Engineering Built Environment Business Administration Business Information Technology Construction Management Construction and Civil Engineering Design Electrotechnology and Automation Engineering Equine Industries Forestry Horticulture Information and Communication Technology Mechanical and Production Engineering Nursing Public Health Nursing Social Services Sustainable Development Traffic and Transport Management

HAMK’S MASTER’S PROGRAMMES part-time studies in English • Business Management and Entrepreneurship

part-time studies in Finnish: • • • • •

Bioeconomy Business Development Business Development Construction and Environmental Engineering Social and Health Care Development, Leadership and Management Strategic Leading of Technology-based Business

Professional Teacher Education part-time studies in English • Professional Teacher Education

part-time studies in Finnish: • Professional Teacher Education • Professional Special Needs Teacher Education • Professional Student Counsellor Education

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Start your trip to Finland

- apply online!

•

Full-time bachelor-level degree programmes at www.studyinfo.fi in January

•

Part-time bachelor and master-level degree ­programmes at www.studyinfo.fi starting in March

Check detailed application instructions at www.hamk.fi Any questions? Ask from admissions@hamk.fi tel. 358 3 646 4503

Frequently asked questions

Student exchange – International Semester

at HAMK

HAMK’s International Semester consists of courses specially selected to maximise your learning experience with us. These courses are delivered entirely in English and are meant for exchange students from our partner institutions and also for the students of HAMK. The studies last for approximately for one semester.

For more information: www.hamk.fi/exchange international@hamk.fi

Should I send attachments to my application?

It depends on the country in which you have completed your qalification. Please check our websites at www.hamk.fi for detailed instructions.

Do I need to submit a language skills certificate?

It depends on your nationality and also on the country in which you have completed your qualification.

Please check our websites at www.hamk.fi for detailed instructions.

Do I need to take an entrance examination?

Yes, all applicants need to take an entrance examination.

What is included in the entrance examination?

The entrance examinations are usually field-specific. Further information about the content of different entrance examinations is available at www.hamk.fi.

Can I take the entrance examination in my home country?

The entrance examination locations are decided on a yearly-basis. Please check the entrance examination locations for next application round from our websites at www.hamk.fi.

The entrance examination to Business Management and Entrepreneurship (master’s degree programme) will be held in Hämeenlinna.

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HAMK is part of the FINNIPS network.

It is convenient for you because it means that

you can participate in HAMK entrance exams all around the world!

Our entrance exams might be closer to you than you think, check the website www.hamk.fi for locations and more information.

CITY OF HÄMEENLINNA Traditional and vibrant educational and cultural town at the junction of nationally important rail, road and waterway network.

Living up to its vision, Hämeenlinna is a lively, beautiful and pleasant lakeside town in Southern Finland.

Inhabitants: 67 804 Distances: To Helsinki 98 km To Tampere 75 km

Study here in English: • Construction Engineering • Business Management and Entrepreneurship • International Professional Teacher Education

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Putting our skills into practice

– HAMK and World Model United Nations

in South Korea

Before I share my story I have one thing to confess: Last year has been the best year of my life, so far. This, I believe, didn’t occur to me only, but to some of my friends as well. The story I want to share is not what we typically call a university story; it is much more than that. Here I go.

As a student of International Business at HAMK, I have to be around campus a few days before the school starts; that is late August. Fortunately enough, I usually meet with some friends around that time and we use the “free days” to do what students do best: dream. Well, party is another thing we do best, but that is not the case with this.

Andrei, a third year student at that time, and a very serious dreamer, brought up the topic about the next World Model United Nations (World MUN) conference which was going to be held in Seoul, South Korea.

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Text by Festë Isufi

All of us had heard about it and were, therefore, interested in the topic. The excitement that we had at that stage of life, or should I say at that specific time and place, was passed on to the idea of organizing a team which was going to represent HAMK at the World MUN conference. This idea would have never come to life had it not been for HAMK as our main financial supporter and project supervisor, and certain individuals who invested their time and effort in bringing the idea to real life.

The first three months went by in the blink of an eye. We had already managed to get some finances by selling homemade cookies in the city center of Valkeakoski. Luckily, we never received any complaint on the quality of our cookies. We were still fighting with our time, trying to enhance our project plan and promote the project itself simultaneously. If it weren’t for the help of Valkeakosken Sanomat, a

popular local newspaper, our project promotion might have hit failure in the very beginning as we had only one Finnish-speaking team member.

All these project steps, such as negotiating with companies to receive funding, helped us develop our professional skills at a scale which is practically impossible to reach while sitting in classes.

At some point during the project, I realized that this is the prime benefit of studying at HAMK: it offers flexibility to develop in the areas which we assume we belong to. If we fail, HAMK always provides another chance for us to try and see what is that one thing we are best at. By basing our work on these very fundamentals, we were able to succeed in our project; we never let each other down and were very grateful when we were offered help. We learned that, even though our team was divided in students coming from two very different fields, we could al-

ways complement each other by putting our best skills to work. Diversity proved itself right, once again this time.

Back to the story, after we had spent too many hours flying over Russia, we did at some point arrive in South Korea, 11th of March to be specific.

For those who do not know, being a team in WORLD MUN conference means that you are given a country to prepare on, and you go and represent that country in a very formal way, pretend United Nations conference. Legislations are passed and amendments made, all resembling the processes in the real United Nations’ conferences, except that WORLD MUN is a youth conference rather than an authoritative, international institution. Our team had New Zealand to prepare on, and we really did a lot of work beforehand. That all paid off when we were able to compete with top ranked universities worldwide, including Oxford and Harvard. We need to mention that our success does derive from our

ability to productively put our skills into practice which is what we focus most on in school.

We used our time in Seoul very wisely; we made contacts, visited a Finnish company operating there, and gave a presentation at Sungkyunkwan University about HAMK and discussed about a possible partnership between the two universities.

This is, by far, the most intensive week I have spent in the learning process as a HAMK student. It was also, as I previously said, the trip that made this year the best one in my life so far. In order to wrap it all up, I want to share with you an excerpt from our time in Seoul.

As we were all seated at a restaurant enjoying our last Gimpab dinner in a very traditional restaurant in a windy night in Seoul, we started talking about how it all began. We had made a story out of one sentence which Andrei said during one of those neverending, late

”HAMK offers flexibility to develop in the areas which we assume we belong to. If we fail, HAMK always provides another chance for us to try and see what is that one thing we are best at.”

August afternoons at HAMK. “Hey guys, do you know about this World MUN conference being organized in Seoul?” We sure did. But we never expected what was to come.

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ROBOT

A designed by students led the field in a ­competition in Germany Text by TAINa Lehtomäki, photo by university of hohenheim

A field robot designed and built by students for targeted irrigation won first place in the freestyle assignment of a competition in Germany. In targeted irrigation, the robot measures soil humidity at certain intervals, and if the soil is dry, it waters the plants.

Students in HAMK’s English Automation Technology and Mechani-

cal Engineering programmes pola, who tutored the field robot team. from Valkeakoski and Riihimäki “It proved that our expertise is second took part in a field robot event to none. First place in the freestyle in Germany in summer 2014. assignment showed that the students It was organised as part of the are able to put their innovative and DLG-Feldtage crop farm- challenging ideas to and make them ing event. The three-day work. Success in this summer’s event event attracted a total of will inspire us to go for a more deover 23,000 visitors from manding project next year”, Kippola 42 countries. enthuses.

HAMK’s field robot team For the students, the project was consisting of international students challenging but motivating. Samrat had built the robot as part of their Gautam, who led the field robot team, studies. Building, developing and test- describes the project as rewarding and ing the robot took almost a year. practically oriented. “It is the best The robot project was part of a new thing we did during my studies”, says format of teaching at HAMK. While Gautam. building the robot, the students transIn order to take part in the event, lated their theoretical knowledge into the field robot team received support practice. from the Claas Foundation and the “The event gave us an opportunity Henry Ford Foundation. to evaluate our skills at the international level”, explains Markku Kip-

Degree Programme in Electrical and Automation ­Engineering Studies focus on designing automation applications and on understanding the operating principles of automation targets, the structure of logics and automation systems, programming, instrumentation, and electrical design. The core competences deal with electrotechnology, engineering, electronics and device safety, basic circuits as well as processes, equipment and systems.

We educate future engineers who are able to apply technical solutions in measurement technology, control engineering, electronics, telecommunications, electrical power engineering, programming and maintenance, as part of automation technology integration. In order to operate as a technical professional, you must have a blend of communication and team working skills, an advanced practical approach to technical knowledge, and an understanding of the financial management of a company.

The jobs available for automation engineers include design, programming, consulting, purchasing and sales, project management, maintenance, administration and training.

Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) careers include: Design Engineer, Automation Engineer, Program Designer, Factory Services Manager, Project Engineer, Sales Engineer, Testing Engineer, Quality Manager, Product Manager.

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www.hamk.fi/automationengineering

Degree Programme in International Business We have students from over 30 nationalities making HAMK Valkeakoski Campus an international hub for various cultures. We offer multicultural, motivating and professional environment for you to study international business.

You can choose International Management or Global Marketing as a major. Former emphasizes management and leadership and the latter markets and marketing especially in Europe and China. The studies include a lot of real life projects and collaboration with local companies giving you an excellent opportunity for growing your professional network.

The Bachelor of Business Administration degree at HAMK International Business is more than a degree, it’s a professional and personal network for life. The study environment is challenging and motivating. Students can also complete studies or work placement abroad or take part in short intensive periods and excursion. It is also becoming more popular of our students to complete a double degree with one of our partner universities in Germany, the Netherlands, France or Ireland. You get the degree diploma from two universities. www.hamk.fi/ib

CITY OF VALKEAKOSKI Valkeakoski, in the centre of Finland’s lakeland, invites you to enjoy its rich cultural offerings, lively summer events and high-level services.

Inhabitants: 21 146 Distances: To Helsinki 145 km To Tampere 35 km To Hämeenlinna 44 km Study here in English: Electrical and Automation engineering, International Business

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Intensive week provides students with business contacts and new friends text by Eveliina Toivonen, photos by Sven rassl

Students enrolled in the Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) Degree Programme in International Business are provided with several different internationalisation options every year. One of these options is participating in an intensive week project carried out in collaboration with several partner universities. The project includes forming multinational teams that work on actual business projects.

The teams work together both through virtual meetings and face to face during the actual intensive week, which partner universities take turns in organising.

Currently, the project includes five partner universities from Finland, Denmark, Germany, Latvia and Sweden. The students participating in the course are divided into teams of five to ten, and each team is given an internationalisationrelated development project by an SME. The course can help students form important business connections: a couple of years ago, a Latvian student was employed by the same company that had provided the student’s team with a project for the course.

“The best part of the intensive week and the virtual studies related to it is that we can provide our students with something they have not previously experienced in their

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studies. It’s also great to see how not only the students but also the businesses involved benefit from the course”, says Senior Lecturer Sven Rassl from the Degree Programme in International Business.

Students of International Business are encouraged to take part in exchange programmes. However, not all students have the opportunity to spend a long time abroad. The intensive week is an excellent alternative for students who cannot commit to a long sojourn. The course is worth 7.5 credits and students are also awarded a certificate. The main advantage of the course is that teams get to try new things in an environment they would not be able to work in without the course.

Joint intensive weeks have been organised since 2007. To begin with, the number of partner institutions was smaller, but as word has got around, the number of partners has grown and the project has seen continuous development.

In addition to lectures by teachers, students also get to hear lectures by experts from the business world. Examples of the lecture topics include marketing, business negotiations, and intercultural communication.

CITY OF RIIHIMÄKI Riihimäki is a dynamic, small town in Southern Finland, with excellent transport links on the Helsinki–Tampere axis. Journeys within the town are short and services are close at hand.

Inhabitants: 29 371 Distances: To Helsinki 63 km To Tampere 103 km To Hämeenlinna 28 km Study here in English: Mechanical Engineering and ­Production Technology

Degree Programme in Mechanical E ­ ngineering and Production Technology The aim of the programme is to provide you with the modern engineering knowledge and skills needed in an international working environment. The core competences deal with mechanics, strength of materials, actuators, machine elements, technical drawing, materials and manufacturing. Supervised laboratory exercises support theoretical learning. The programme allows you to focus on either design of mechanical systems or production systems.

You will graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering degree and you will be able to work in both design and operating tasks.

You will have the necessary design, production and automation skills required in machine design and manufacturing.

Additionally, you will be well-versed in materials technology, which is necessary in the selection of raw materials. Mechanical engineers are employed by industry and the public sector alike.

Our graduates are well-recognised experts in cross-cultural teams and projects thanks to their strong skills in English and intercultural communication, which also opens the door to many career opportunities. Potential positions for a graduated mechanical engineer are, for example, product development engineer, design engineer, production development engineer, technical sales engineer or project engineer. www.hamk.fi/mecheng

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I hate salmiakki – but otherwise Finland is pretty cool! text and photo by Karin Pasila

Sergejs Kasjanovs comes from Ventspils in Latvia, which is a town of the same size as Hämeenlinna. Sergejs decided to study in Finland after he visited Häme University of Applied Sciences’ (HAMK) stand at an education fair in Riga. He found lots of information about the study programme online, and the application process was simple. In school Sergejs enjoyed maths and physics, so it felt natural for him to enter a technical field. He is currently in his fourth year in the Mechanical Engineering and Production Technology programme, which is carried out in English and located in Riihimäki.

Finland’s advantages according to Sergejs are e.g. free education, Finland’s good reputation when it comes to education,

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and that Finland is located close enough to his home town.

Sergejs was surprised by how friendly the staff at HAMK and the Finnish authorities are, and he says that everyone has been very helpful. Sergejs also participates actively in helping new students as a student tutor, e.g. by helping first year students find a place to live. “It’s easy to get an apartment if you´re a first year student”, Sergejs explains. Most students in Riihimäki live in shared flats in student apartments, where they have their own bedroom, an internet connection and a shared kitchen and bathroom.

At university Sergejs has made lots of friends both in his own and other student groups, and there is a great sense of community. He also has plenty of Finnish friends, despite it often being claimed that it is difficult to get to know Finns.

During the summer of 2015 Sergejs had an internship in Sheet Metal Centre. Part of the summer he spent in Hä-

meenlinna, where he worked in a test laboratory writing reports and taking measurements. At the end of the summer he was transferred to Riihimäki, which made his commute much shorter.

According to Sergejs it is easy e.g. to play sports in Riihimäki, and there are lots of activities and events for students. The most difficult thing has been combining studies and work: Sergejs delivers newspapers in the mornings, which means that he has to get up very early.

Once Sergejs has graduated he would like to stay and work in Finland, and possibly continue his studies in a Master’s programme. He also dreams of becoming a teacher.

Sergejs recommends that others apply to study at HAMK as well: apart from a free, high quality education the university also offers lots of activities such as student tutoring and marketing. The food is also pretty similar to Latvian food. But there is one thing in Finland that Sergejs can’t stand: “I hate salmiakki!” he laughs.

Degree Programme in Construction ­Engineering Making a scale model in Via

Construction double degree students spend two years in

Denmark

Text by Marko Tuominen, photo by Johan Rikberg

Students in the degree programmes in Construction and Civil Engineering can take half of their studies at partner universities in Denmark. The graduates will have earned a double degree: they will have both a Finnish Bachelor of Engineering degree and a Danish Constructing Architect degree.

The studies abroad will not extend the time needed to complete the degree. Naturally, the students can freely choose whether or not they wish to pursue a double degree. They can take the first academic year to find additional information and mull over their decision.

Johan Rikberg is a third-year student who has one academic year at VIA University College in Denmark under his belt. ”Personally, I was already finding out about double degrees before I applied to HAMK. Once we had started our studies, we received more information, and we also met students who had taken part in this programme”, explains Johan. ”However, my mind was already made up.” ”The learning method used at VIA is the so-called PBL (Problem Based Learning) method, in which the tuition is student centred and the teacher’s principal role is to provide guidance. In addition, the studies are

team-oriented and teach good project management skills. We thus brought our team work skills back to Hämeenlinna as a sort of modus operandi”, Johan stresses.

The students spend alternate years at HAMK and at VIA , which puts them up against new challenges. Their studies progress at a different pace from others who started at the same time. ”When I returned to HAMK this year, in particular, I had missed out on some of last year’s basic courses. Once back here, we had to move straight on to more advanced courses, which was challenging”, Johan says, describing the details of his studies. ”On the other hand, I have gained many valuable experiences during these years.” The university town of Horsens is at a two or three hours’ train ride from Copenhagen. Horsens is located in Jylland , and it is thus part of the European continent. It has direct train connections to such cities as Berlin in Germany. ”In other respects, too, all practical aspects of my stay were easily managed by an EU citizen, and finding somewhere to live through VIA’s partners was simple. Above all, if you keep an open mind, you will be fine abroad”, says Johan.

The construction and environmental engineering field oper­ates in an increasingly international environment. Companies in Finland and in Europe have become international and focus on international markets. The Degree Programme in Construc­ tion Engineering answers the demands required of internation­ally-focused experts in the construction industry and environ­ mental business.

The programme aims to educate students to become experts in steel constructions or in environmental engineering and to work as internationally-focused project managers and de­signers. A degree completed in English provides construction engineers with good language skills and international know-how, making it possible to work anywhere in the world.

The tasks of engineering graduates may be related to the construction of new premises and to the repair of existing structures in engineering, development or project manage­ment in Finland and abroad. Daily tasks may involve design, product development, supervision in an official capacity, or trading. Construction professionals constantly monitor devel­ opments in the sector, they are familiar with the latest design and production techniques. They can also manage modern management techniques, and they are capable of applying them to practical situations at work. Construction engineers must have a view of the entire construction process in addi­tion to their specialty.

Careers: Project Manager, Designer, Sales Engineer, Structural Engineer, Export Engineer, Environmental Engineer, Promoter, Sales Manager www.hamk.fi/construction

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Summer technology projects bring students and companies together with impressive results! text by taru kosunen, photo by abass adeyinka

Students at Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) worked on company projects for the sixth consecutive summer in Riihimäki. A total of 27 projects were implemented during the summer, involving 75 students from the Traffic and Transportation Management, Mechanical Engineering and Production Technology, and Information and Communication Technology programmes.

The summer projects are part of the FUAS Innovation School, which is in turn a part of FUAS summer studies.

FUAS studies are common for students at the Häme, Lahti and Laurea Universities of Applied Sciences.

“The summer semester is an important element of FUAS and HAMK activities, and HAMK has a long history of summer studies”, says Principal Lecturer Tuija Engbom, who is responsible for the Riihimäki summer projects. “The summer projects provide students with a good contact in the world of work and and are an integral part of learning.

For the companies involved, the summer projects provide a new perspective and new solutions,” continues Engbom.

Summer projects give students the opportunity to gain work experience under company guidance. The students who participated in the projects describe their experiences as being very instructive. “We learned new skills and were able to apply skills learned earlier when solving real problems,” says a group of students from the English language Mechanical Engineering and Production Technology pro-

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gramme as they describe the benefits of the summer projects.

Traffic and Transportation Management students also appreciate the summer projects: “A summer project allows students to complete a more extensive project than would be is possible during the academic year. It also allows the student focus for a longer time on the topic being developed.”

All of the students agree that working on real projects, in which the participants deal with pro per issues, bring added motivation and enthusiasm to UAS studies. The credits earned during the summer also speed up the pace of studies and provide constructive activity for the summer, if a student was unable to find a summer job in his or her field.

Company representatives have been satisfied with the level and end results of the student projects. Summer projects were completed for a total of 20 companies this year. For example, the Riihimäki-based company Ekokem offered students a project related to mechanical and production engineering. Ekokem Project Manager Viivi Leiviskä is pleased with the students’ efforts: “Ekokem has been impressed with the results achieved in the summer projects.

The students’ teamwork and mechanical engineering skills made the cooperation a success. The goal of the project was to find new applications for recycled material, and this fits in very well with our new strategy ‘Towards the Circular Economy’.”

Master’s degree students attend thesis camp

Text by Helena Turunen

FUAS Graduate School organised a joint intensive week for FUAS master’s degree students at the beginning of June 2015. The event, known as Master Thesis Camp, was held at the Laurea Tikkurila campus. The purpose of the intensive week was to give students a study boost and promote and speed up their thesis projects. Master’s degree students from three different fields of study from Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) participated in the intensive week with good results. The programme of the intensive week included short information lectures designed to support students in their thesis projects, inspirational lectures, work in small groups, workshops, and independent thesis work.

Master Thesis Camp was planned and implemented as a collaborative project by teachers from FUAS member institutions during spring 2015. More than ten principal lecturers representing different fields participated in the

planning and implementation of the event. The number of participating students amounted to 70.

Master Thesis Camp was implemented in Finnish and English. Students planned their own schedule in a way that best supported their thesis project.

The short information lectures and other lectures organised during Master Thesis Camp provided students with information on subjects such as research-based development, choice of research method, data analysis, information literacy, information seeking, and academic writing. During individual meetings with staff and work performed in small groups, students received help in polishing their research questions and selecting suitable research methods, among other things.

The students who participated in the intensive week were very satisfied with the offering of the week and the

results they achieved. In their feedback, they emphasised the intensive support received from teachers, but also the importance of the peer support and encouragement received from other students. During the week, students worked in multidisciplinary teams, which was seen as a positive matter: students felt that they gained new points of view and new ideas for the implementation of their thesis projects. Students also felt that the short information lectures and inspirational lectures were useful as they provided new information and clarified students’ thoughts.

Both teachers and students were satisfied with the first Master Thesis Camp.

The event will be one of the priority projects of FUAS Graduate School in the future, and the planning of next year’s camp is already under way.

Master’s Degree Programme in Business Management and Entrepreneuship (part-time studies) The Degree Programme in Business Management and Entrepreneurship is intended for persons who wish to develop their international competences and know-how in international business. The studies develop the students’ understanding and knowledge of global business environments, strategic management and innovation as well as customer relationship management in international markets. The degree programme provides students with a Master’s degree (Master of Business Administration).

The core themes of the degree programme include: Strategic Thinking and Managing Change, Global Business Excellence, Customer Focus in International Business, and Organisational Development.

The studies are part-time studies and can be completed alongside a normal day job. The Students come approximately once a month on Friday to Hämeenlinna Visamäki campus. E-learning and virtual methods are used efficiently in group work.

The entrance exam to master’s degree programme will be held in Hämeenlinna. www.hamk.fi/bme

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Teacher education in HAMK – Global perspectives

by Mr Brian Joyce, Senior Lecturer and Ms Maaret Viskari, Manager, Global Education; HAMK School of Professional Teacher Education

Cooperation in educational reforms in Kazakhstan and Brazil HAMK School of Professional Teacher Education has established cooperation in Kazakhstan and Brazil in connection with the development of teachers and educational institutions. The cooperation has resulted in a process that has evolved into strong, beneficial partnerships between Finland and the two countries.

Success comes in nine months: Case Bolashak, Kazakhstan The first Bolashak scholarship programme took place at Häme University of Applied Sciences, School of Professional Teacher Education during the 2013 – 2014 academic year. The Bolashak programme was establised in 1993 by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and promotes internationalisation of their education sector. Every year thousands of students and scholars are sent to universities around the world to study and learn. The successful candidates came from 18 upper secondary school teachers, two vocational school teachers and one human resource manager.

Over the negotiation table, Bolashak and HAMK co-created a unique training programme that opened up the secrets of the success of the Finnish education system. This flagship course combined theory and practice in the Finnish learning environment and its success was separated from other Bolashak sponsored courses because the scholars were able to observe and experience first hand at the primary source.

The course consisted of those primary needs set down by the Bolashak directive, the individual needs of the scholars and the expertise that Finland has to offer. During the six-month English communications training for pedagogy

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and the three-month Finnish pedagogy training, the scholars, through theory, observation and practice, peaked at the end of the course by demonstrating the ability to analyse and create the requirements needed in their own learning environments. This demonstration was evidenced in their final seminar, thesis, master classes and teaching in English in regional institutes. Finland presented its expertise and strengths through its regional education cluster in KantaHäme.

This cluster and HAMK’s expertise form the flexible resources needed to tailor, so as to meet the requirements of international learning communities like Bolashak. The pilot course with Bolashak has enriched our understading of their needs and gives us a wonderful opportunity to move forward. In the future, HAMK with its partners will continue collaboration with Bolashak and other organisations from Kazakhstan and tailor the programmes using the university’s already establised global networks.

After the programme, the participants returned to Kazakhstan and made an impact on the future of the Kazakshtan education by disseminating, training, developing, and taking on higher responsibilities as methodological and curriculum developers, principals and vice-principals within national and international educational sphere.

VET Teachers for the future/ Professores para o futuro

Thirty professors from the Brazilian Federal Institute network participated in the professional development programme “The VET Teachers for the Future – Professional Development Certificate” 2014-2015, provided by Häme and Tampere Universities of Applied Sciences. The programme is a continuing education programme for higher education and vocational teachers of various technical subject fields. It is competence-based and multidisciplinary in nature. Teachers learn how to combine theory and practice in teaching their own field of expertise. The latest research results, contributions and best practices of the global benchmark, which is the Finnish VET and professional education, are tested and contextualised to meet the needs in various countries and home institutions.

hands-on experiences, as well as theoretical insight into the core components of applied learning. The second phase of the programme concentrates on the practical application of the newly learned methods in the local learning environments. Each participant produces a development plan in collaboration with and under the guidance of our Finnish experts, and in cooperation with the home institution.

The ten-month programme is divided into two parts. During the first five months in Finland, the participants study in the Finnish learning environments depending on their field of expertise. The programme provides both practical,

The VET Teachers for the Future – Professional Development Certificate Programme was sponsored by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, CNPq (Process 473467/2014-3).

In the case of the Brazilian VET Teachers for the Future, the teachers developed their own teaching and organisations based on their local and regional needs using the resources available to them. And cooperation between the two countries is ongoing.

Professional teacher education The vocational teacher education programme is meant for teachers and teacher applicants who plan to work at vocational institutions or colleges or at universities of applied sciences. The HAMK international professional teacher education programme in English is recommended for students who are not proficient in Finnish. The programme includes the basic studies in pedagogy, teacher training, vocational pedagogy studies and other studies.

The extent of the studies is 60 credits and the programme is 13 months long.

The application period is from 8 – 27 January 2016. Application period ends 27 January 2016 at 3.00 p.m. Finnish time. The national joint online application is available at www.studyinfo.fi. Numbered copies of certificates and other appendices must be submitted by February 3rd, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. Finnish time.

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Finland is a peaceful country in northern Europe with four distinct seasons and nature-loving people. We have a strong and reliable education system, infrastructure, healthcare system in addition to an exciting cultural life.

The Finnish people are friendly and hospitable. Many of us speak several foreign languages.

Famous news providers, such as the Economist Intelligence, Newsweek and Harvard Business Review, rank Finland high in innovation and education.

Geography • Total area 338,145 km² • 188,000 lakes • Capital Helsinki (ca 620,000 inhabitants) Climate • Four seasons • Cold winters (mean temperature in Helsinki in February -5.7 Celsius) • Warm summers (mean temperature in Helsinki in July +17 Celsius)

People • Population 5.4 million • Literacy level 100% • Official languages Finnish (92%), Swedish (6%) • Religion Evangelical-Lutheran (75%), Orthodox (1%)

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THIS FINLA

Economy • Currency euro • GNP per capita €37,102 Governance • Parliamentary republic since 1917 • 200-member, single-chamber parliament elected every four years • Head of the republic is the President • Member of the EU since 1995

S IS AND

12 things about Finland by our international students 1.

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Bring wool socks and mittens! Take your vitamin D! - Hanna, Supply Chain ­Management Be active - it’s all up to you! - Festë, ­International Business People drink lots of coffee and put milk in it - Mike, International Business People drink coffee 10 times a day! Daria Finland is really non-formal. Officials are helpful and friendly. -Sergejs, Mechanical Engineering and Production Technology There’s freedom in studies, but along comes also responsibility - you are studying for yourself, not for school or others.

No point in skipping classes! - Sergejs, Mechanical Engineering and Production Technology Small amount of people - Maria People dont do small talk - Ksenia People follow the rules - Anna Beautiful winter and christmas time Anna, Maria and Ksenia Beautiful nature - foxes & squirrels - lots of lakes - Anna, Maria and Ksenia

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t n e r e ff i d be nd!

o a t l n i F e r n i y d Da u t –s Inari

Why Finland?

Why HAMK?

 In the past decade, Finland has consistently ranked high in the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).

 HAMK has pedagogically highlyqualified lecturers, who are trained to combine theory, practice, and the latest educational technologies in their teaching.

 Excellent infrastructure and a well-functioning society.  Safe, clean and environmentally conscious.

Rovaniemi

 Most Finns speak English.  Four beautiful seasons.  The home of Angry Birds, Super Cell, Linux, Kone and UPM.

Oulu

Vaasa

Kuopio Joensuu

Jyväskylä

Tampere

Valkeakoski Lepaa Evo Forssa Mustiala

Lahti

Hämeenlinna Riihimäki

Turku

 8 S’s – Santa Claus, Sauna, Sibelius, Sisu, Social welfare, ­Safety, Snow, Silence – Suomi  Finland ranked as the best overall country, as well as the best highincome country and the best country for education (Newsweek, 18 August 2010).

Helsinki

www.hamk.fi/english

 There is no tuition fee.  Small class sizes ensure that teaching is engaging and lecturers have more time for each individual student.  HAMK has modern physical and webbased learning environments.  There are several options for student exchange mainly within the ­European Union.

HAMK has more than 100 partner institutions around the world.  Our students have an opportunity to complete a double degree through our partner institutions.  The environment at HAMK is multicultural and international. We have students from over 60 different countries.