TUAS and the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, to start cooperation in education to strengthen the technological competence in Southwest Finland
During the two-day visit by the Scottish delegation to Turku, practical suggestions for measures to be applied to collaboration in education and research in the field of technology were found, particularly for the needs of marine and manufacturing industry as well as health care.
The intention is to produce more workforce with Master level background for the Turku region. The schedule and content of the cooperation will be defined in more detail during the spring.
Turku University of Applied Sciences (TUAS) signed a Letter of Intent with the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, in late 2017. The agreement on cooperation is an outcome of the joint visit by representatives of the City of Turku and Turku University of Applied Sciences to the University of Strathclyde in late November.
The Letter of Intent was built upon to develop concrete plans during the two-day visit. On the first day of the visit, the representatives of Strathclyde met representatives of the City of Turku and the industry and familiarized themselves with the business field in Turku. The second day of the visit was dedicated to planning the future collaboration in education and research. Representatives of the University of Turku, Åbo Akademi, Lappeenranta University of Technology and Aalto University also participated in the discussions during the visit.
Director of the City Development Group Pekka Sundman from the City of Turku highlighted Turku’s long and strong traditions in international commerce and other international cooperation.
He said: “Strengthening the already good international connections through cooperation in education is a natural continuum for us. The University of Strathclyde is engaged in close collaboration with several international companies, some of which also operate in Southwest Finland.
Joined by a learning approach that emphasizes the benefits of practice
“Lack of skilled workforce must not restrain the growth of the economy in the Turku region. It is a common interest of the regional actors if we manage to increase the number of technology experts by expanding the cooperation in education beyond the national borders.”
The connection with Strathclyde was originally initiated on the recommendation of joint international industrial partners.
Professor Tim Bedford, Associate Principal Research & Innovation at Strathclyde, said: “We see a great opportunity from international cooperation between European universities, which will also benefit our own city of Glasgow. The competencies we found match well together and we see a lot of opportunities, complimentary expertise and similar goals.”
The University of Strathclyde is a leading international technological university located in Glasgow, Scotland’s biggest city. Their commitment to useful learning guides their research, learning and teaching as well as the way they work with businesses and organizations. Thus, similarities can be found with, for instance, the innovation pedagogy utilized at TUAS.
Emphasis on marine and manufacturing industry and health technology
Vice Rector Juhani Soini from TUAS said: “During the visit of the University of Strathclyde to Turku, we were able to identify several practical measures through which the cooperation can be quickly deepened. During the spring, we will make a return visit Glagow. After that, we will surely be wiser regarding the schedules and detailed content of the cooperation in education.”
Professor Bedford said: “Marine engineering, manufacturing and health are the three common aspects we found and could start building cooperation.”
Professor Atilla Incecik, Associate Principal and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Strathclyde, also finds similarities in the history and future plans of Strathclyde and TUAS.
“With a common heritage and common future, this is a great opportunity to build cooperation and I look forward to us working together.”
Photos: The University of Strathclyde
