TAMK annual review 2024: Internationality

At the start of 2024, a strategic steering group for internationality was established at TAMK, with the purpose of enhancing and accelerating internationality with increasingly determined efforts. The steering group clarified TAMK’s definition of internationality and the importance thereof by engaging the entire personnel in the process. This is how we proceeded to create shared policies and practices, developed e.g. in workshops together with the personnel. 

The key sectors of internationality were defined as internationalisation at home, international degree programmes in Finland, studying and working abroad, education export and international RDI activities. In addition, we developed the organisation of international campus and communications as well as international operations. Advancement in all these sectors will continue in 2025. 

Diverse support for international students 

In 2024, there were 1088 international students studying in TAMK's degree programmes. The number of applicants for the degree programmes offered in English continued to increase rapidly in the spring. 

The Universities of Applied Sciences Act was amended in the autumn, partly to manage the ever-growing flow of applications. A national application fee was set for all applicants from outside the EU/EEA. Tuition fee exemptions for residence permit holders were also further restricted in the law, meaning that more students will be obligated to pay the fees in the future. 

With previously-made service structure changes, support services for foreign students were rearranged so that TAMK’s Welcome Team could better respond to the growing service needs as students arrive in Finland and progress on their study path. Online orientation materials were developed based on our observations and student feedback. The newsletter template for new students was updated to better resonate with foreign students even before they begin their studies. 

The Talent Boost programme which aims to improve Finland's ability to attract international talent continued with various activities. Our new Language Buddy initiative helped international students befriend Finnish people and get accustomed to using the Finnish language. An Online Orientation course was published in Moodle. It is aimed at international students to help them find information on TAMK and the Finnish society even before they arrive in Finland. The visibility of TAMK’s international degree programmes was increased in our communications channels and at international expos. 

S2 language tutoring and study paths were established at TAMK. They help students achieve B1 level language skills during their studies. We created a competence badge for our personnel, issued for those employed in a multilingual and multicultural working environment. 

TAMK participated in the hiring of an internship coordinator for international students for the city of Tampere. The coordinator works to create internship opportunities for international students together with higher education institutions. We arranged visits to local companies for international students in collaboration with the Tampere Chamber of Commerce, with the aim of assisting them in finding internships and thesis subjects. 

TAMK on the global map 

TAMK received competed EU funding for starting the Uninovis Data for L.I.F.E. alliance with other higher education institutions. Uninovis is an alliance formed by seven European higher education institutions, focused on promoting education, research and innovation in the field of applied data science. It aims to develop an integrated, long-term strategy in data science by supporting the digital and green transition and responding to the socio-economic challenges in Europe. Uninovis allows TAMK students, personnel and stakeholders to share competence and advance innovation in multiple fields across national borders. Cooperation in education and research is increasing significantly in Europe, and all forms of mobility are supported even more than before. 

TAMK improved its international networking and joined more RDI networks, becoming an associate member of BDVA (Big Data Value Association), among others. The number of international RDI projects increased as well. 

In education export, we diversified our diploma training offerings and selection of short-term studies. The first round (2022–2024) of the AntofaEDUCA project was successfully completed in Chile. The project focused on training 200 teachers and 30 education leaders from public institutions of education. The ten-year project sees its second round start in April 2025. 

International short-term mobility began to increase. 16 Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme courses were conducted abroad, with a total of 91 TAMK students taking part.  And at TAMK, 61 TAMK students participated in the six courses we arranged. 

During the year, several foreign delegations visited TAMK to get acquainted with Finnish education.