Competed European Universities funding for TAMK
This is an important choice, as the European Universities initiative is a flagship initiative of the European Higher Education Strategy. €1.1 billion has been earmarked for the project under Erasmus+ for the current programming period 2021 to 2027. It is estimated that only about one fifth of European higher education institutions have achieved European Universities status.
According to Ari Sivula, Vice Rector for Research, Education, Innovation and Competence (RDI) at TAMK, the UNINOVIS University Alliance significantly strengthens TAMK's international operations and brings new innovative operating methods and openings to TAMK's existing operations.
"We will gain a huge number of new international opportunities for education, research, entrepreneurship and innovation.”
UNINOVIS at the forefront of applied data science
UNINOVIS is a European alliance of seven complementary higher education institutions comprising 125,000 students, 11,000 employees and 57 partners. The alliance partners are:
- University of Sorbonne - Paris Nord - France (USPN, coordinator)
- Technical University of Applied Sciences - Würzburg-Schweinfurt, Germany (THWS)
- University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli – Caserta, Italy (UDCLV)
- University of Applied Sciences Ltd. – Tampere, Finland (TAMK)
- University of Applied Sciences – Kaunas, Lithuania (FCA)
- University of Malaga - Spain (UMA)
- University of Tirana - Albania (UT)
UNINOVIS develops and implements an integrated and long-term strategy to promote education, research and innovation in applied data science (ADS). This vision is in line with the digital and green transitions and Europe's socio-economic challenges.
“Our data expertise will rise to completely new dimensions thanks to the synergy and new forms of cooperation brought by the alliance”, says Ari Sivula.
The broad objectives of the UNINOVIS DATA for L.I.F.E. project are ambitious: UNINOVIS aims to become a leading European data science university, fostering dynamic innovation ecosystems regionally, Europe-wide and globally, and establishing strong connections with other parts of the world. UNINOVIS makes an important contribution to tackling regional and European societal challenges, reforming higher education, boosting entrepreneurship, creating a transnational network and promoting common European values, diversity, inclusion and sustainability. UNINOVIS is strongly committed to excellence and shared European values.
The effects radiate far and wide
The European Universities initiative is a key element in building the European Education Area and higher education campus now and in the future.
"This round of applications was the last, and competition for funding was fierce. I would therefore like to thank everyone involved in the financial preparation; an excellent job was done here. We will significantly deepen and expand the data expertise of TAMK and the region through new partnerships. We will also be able to flexibly offer international education paths all the way to a doctoral degree”, says Sivula.
The mission of the European Universities Alliance is to develop excellent education and increase links with research and innovation. Consortia seek solutions to societal challenges and serve as examples for other higher education institutions.
"The aim is to build common and diverse study modules and periods related to data competence, green transition and entrepreneurship in cooperation between higher education institutions in different countries, which are available to students of each higher education institution participating in the alliance. Cooperation is also intensifying in RDI activities, and new projects between partners are already being brainstormed. Study and internship opportunities will expand, and various joint implementations and projects will be part of everyday studies in the future”, says Project Manager Tiina Koskiranta, who also is TAMK's contact person in the UNINOVIS network.
Leverage for the development of TAMK and the region
Participation in the UNINOVIS alliance brings new opportunities in terms of internationality, but also in the development of working life. The Tampere Region's Digital Compass work highlighted the increasing need for future ICT experts and new kinds of top expertise, and UNINOVIS is responding to that need. For companies and organizations, this collaboration opens completely new doors and opportunities.
"There are many companies and other organisations in the Tampere Region that are developing data-based business or other innovations. They have a need for both experts and developers. At its best, UNINOVIS enables the recruitment of highly educated international experts to companies in the Tampere Region. At the same time, the number of data experts in the region will be increased, as TAMK students will gain competence and capabilities in different areas of applied data science”, says Ari Sivula.
UNINOVIS is not only an educational project, but also a pioneer harnessing the transformative power of data science. By developing the next generation of data scientists, UNINOVIS lays the foundation for economic well-being, social inclusion, environmental sustainability and significant innovation.
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For further information, please contact Vice President Ari Sivula, ari.sivula [at] tuni.fi, tel. +358 40 777 2894 and Project Manager Tiina Koskiranta, tiina.koskiranta [at] tuni.fi, tel. +358 50 351 8129
Finnish National Agency for Education's information package on the European Universities initiative. https://www.oph.fi/fi/ohjelmat/eurooppalaiset-yliopistot
UNINOVIS website. The new European University: Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (uninovis.eu)
Press release from the European Commission on the choices. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/fi/ip_24_3542fi/fi/ohjelmat/eurooppalaiset-yliopistot
