TAMK annual review 2024: Shared development

With over 35,000 students and about 5,000 employees, the community of higher education institutions (HEI) in Tampere is a major player on a regional, national and international level. Tampere University of Applied Sciences and Tampere University create opportunities for learning as well as for the development of business and the society at large. In 2024, cooperation and the shared development efforts of the Tampere HEI community yielded visible results.

Impactful cooperation, visible results

Various common studies, opportunities for cross-institutional studies and learning environments are available for students in the Tampere HEI community. One such example is the Tampere Centre for Skills Training and Simulation for the field of health care and social services. In 2023–2024, a total of 1,955 credits were completed in shared HUBS entrepreneurship studies. The shared student well-being programme 2020–2024 was brought to a conclusion. The programme was focused on improving accessibility, guidance and counselling processes and services supporting students' ability to study. An example of the cooperation between TAMK and Tampere University, the Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) helps support the development of teachers' pedagogical competence. TLC's events drew a total of 1,150 participants in 2024.

Development and growth through shared RDI activities

In 2024, TAMK and Tampere University conducted several joint research, development and innovation (RDI) projects. Between 2020 and 2024, a total of 60 shared projects came to a conclusion. The shared projects focused primarily on the themes of technology (e.g. smart technologies, construction engineering), circular economy and health. These projects have been financed from several sources. In addition to shared projects, HEI projects have fared well in funding calls. In the autumn 2024 round of calls, for instance, TAMK and Tampere University received nearly EUR 2.2 million in Research to Business (R2B) funding granted by Business Finland for the purpose of commercialising research results and processing them into new business opportunities.

Ensuring impact with shared services

Shared services have helped accelerate service development in the Tampere HEI community and improve their cost-efficiency. TAMK provides facilities management services, AV services and sports and exercise services for the entire HEI community, while Tampere University provides information management, library, travel and financial administration services as well as procurement services for any joint procurements. In the 2024 feedback survey, the average score for every shared service, i.e. community service, improved from the previous year. Several respondents gave positive feedback on our development efforts:

Overall, I like how the services have evolved. Service attitude is top notch, and there is shared commitment to keep things moving forward. Thanks to everyone!

I'm really happy with the services I mostly use. Even in the busiest of times, I wish everyone remembered that their work is important and their contribution matters.

In recognition of their active development efforts, TAMK was awarded the Top Athlete-Friendly Higher Education Institution quality label in September, 2024. Close regional cooperation and the wide range of services available in the Tampere HEI community, such as sports and exercise services, help enable dual careers for top athletes. The development of services will continue, and agreed development measures are followed up regularly.