Sustainability, innovation, and global partnerships at Oulu University of Applied Sciences
We are excited to welcome Oulu University of Applied Sciences (OAMK) as a new Accelerator member of the UIIN Community. Located in the heart of Finland, where the Oulujoki River meets the Bay of Bothnia, OAMK has been a key player in driving innovation and growth since 1996. As one of the country’s largest and most multidisciplinary institutions, OAMK is now focused on expanding its international collaborations and strengthening its global reputation. Let’s hear more about their strategy and mission from representatives Noora Jansson, Sari Matinheikki, Tiina Kaksonen, and Sami Niemelä.
The strategy of Oulu University of Applied Sciences
Home to over 10,000 students across various fields such as Engineering, Media and Performing Arts, and Natural Resources, OAMK plays a pivotal role in encouraging collaboration across disciplines. Partnering with nearly 200 international institutions to prepare students and staff for global opportunities, OAMK supports entrepreneurship and drives innovation.
Their strategic focus extends beyond education, with a commitment to sustainability, regional development, and digitalisation. Just of many examples of regional development, OAMK leads regional startup ecosystem development. Furthermore, OAMK has integrated principles of ecological, economic, and sociocultural responsibility into all its actions, reinforcing its role as a regional leader and a global advocate for sustainable practices.
Guided by their strategy for 2020–2030, OAMK is committed to turning systemic challenges into opportunities by leveraging multidisciplinary expertise. They continue to provide high-quality, flexible education and actively contribute to the development and vitality of Northern Finland by proudly supporting regional businesses and developing tools to assist startups.
University-industry collaboration
OAMK places a strong emphasis on engagement with industry, particularly in its focus areas, collaborating with approximately 1,500 companies and organisations annually. While some collaborations are smaller scale, the university also has long-term partnerships with more than 25 companies, working together on educational programs and research projects. They aim to increase the number of companies they collaborate with, especially in research, development and innovation work (RDI). This involves finding new partners and expanding existing collaborations to include more research-focused activities with international partners.
Why UIIN?
The eagerness to learn is a distinctive feature of OAMK as an institution, and emblematic of their proactive spirit to better understand their current stance at the international level. In line with their strategic objective to leverage existing networks to foster university-business collaboration, OAMK is looking forward to meeting new potential partners, especially in the area of RDI. OAMK values gaining diverse perspectives and solutions from various regions, which helps expand its capabilities and influence.
In UIIN, what is really interesting is to have not only universities, but also companies and the agents in between those two, like the different development organisations and regional actors in the same network. The discussions we had, for example, in spanning boundaries, were really interesting”
Current research portfolio
OAMK is a bustling institution with more than 100 current research projects, with over 15 partners valued at over 30 million euros. Their RDI unit has identified three main focus areas for its research and development efforts:
- Digital solutions: Focused on developing cutting-edge digital solutions for use across industries.
- Low carbon initiatives: Aiming to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable practices.
- Business development: Initiatives to support and grow businesses through research and innovation and collaboration with industry partners to develop new business models, products, and services.
This year’s new addition to the institution’s portfolio is the establishment of Research Programs around 3 main focuses to streamline research efforts: Autonomous Work Machines, Arts and Innovation, and Smart and Sustainable Aviation. These programs provide a clustering of projects around shared visions, fostering collaboration and enhancing impact across these key areas.
Challenges
OAMK faces several challenges in expanding its reputation and scope, particularly on the international stage. The competition with established institutions, boasting long-standing reputations in R&D is a significant hurdle. To overcome this, OAMK is focusing its efforts on becoming more strategic in its partnerships and collaborations.
The university acknowledges the need to invest more time and resources in international networks to ensure they are allocating their efforts effectively.
By participating in events organised by networks like UIIN, they can assess potential partners and opportunities, helping them make informed decisions about where to focus their resources.
Another challenge mentioned by OAMK’s representatives was improving its storytelling and communication to better showcase the institution’s impact and capabilities. The university recognises the importance of effectively communicating its achievements and the value it brings to its partners. To address this, they plan to focus on enhancing their communication efforts in the coming year, making 2025 the “Year of Communication”.
We have been discussing and planning that 2025 will be the Year of Communication… to tell the world what we are and what we can do. Communicating out is crucial; it doesn’t help if nobody knows about the things we are doing here”
Oulu University of Applied Sciences’ strategy for university-business collaboration is centred around leveraging international networks, focusing on key research areas, and improving communication. By establishing research programs and emphasising collaboration with industry, the university aims to enhance its impact and reputation both locally and internationally. We hope the UIIN community and resources will bolster OAMK in their path toward their strategic goals.
Ready for more?
If you enjoyed this article, check out our article on how universities should nurture strategic partnerships, or watch our video about turning transactional university-business relationships into strategic partnerships.
Luca Barbera (author) is a Junior Project Officer at UIIN. His work encompasses a broad spectrum of research topics, including sustainability, deep tech, and engagement practices for universities and academics, with a particular emphasis on the valorisation of results.
