From a vision to a strong alliance – Uninovis' first year was celebrated at TAMK

What a year ago was only a shared vision of a European network focusing on applied data science has now grown into a full functioning alliance bringing together eight universities.

Uninovis was launched as part of the Erasmus+ European Universities initiative. The aim is to create an integrated European university campus with a focus on applied data science, digital transformation, and societal impact.

The most important task of the first year was to build the alliance's administration, operating models, and common strategic direction for long-term cooperation.

"The first year at Uninovis has been, above all, about learning. At TAMK, we have learned what this kind of European university alliance means in practice: continuous dialogue, building a common ground and reflecting one's own operating culture on others. In some matters, we have already been able to move from planning to concrete action, which has been important in terms of motivation and commitment," says Tiina Koskiranta, Project Manager at TAMK.

Strong infrastructure

During the first operational year, the alliance’s key governing bodies were established. This includes general assembly, steering group, quality working group, as well as project progress monitoring group. The alliance adopted a common charter and a comprehensive quality assurance framework, which ensure transparency and define common principles.

"I strongly believe that with the help of Uninovis, TAMK's internationality and European cooperation in both education and RDI activities will rise to a whole new level," says Tiina Koskiranta. 

The partner universities have learned a lot about each other's operating models, priorities and strengths.

"Now we also know how similar challenges are being wrestled with in different parts of Europe. This mutual learning is one of the greatest values of the alliance.”

Uninovis provides new learning opportunities

For the students who visited Uninovis birthday party, the alliance is still a relatively unknown, albeit a fascinating thing. 

Mauricio Laakso, who is in his final year of the Degree Programme in Network Learning and Competencies, has applied to the Lithuanian partner university for the BIP (Blended Intensive Programme) week in June.

"So far there has not been much information about Uninovis. It would be good to hear more about what students can do at Uninovis. Especially since my degree includes 10 credits worth of international cooperation. I can get a few credits from the BIP week at Kauno kolegija," Laakso says.

Sapna Lankahaluge and Thilini Annakkarage, who moved to Finland from Sri Lanka, started their International Business studies last autumn. They heard about Uninovis' birthday party from Mirja Onduso, a counsel for international students. Both Lankahaluge and Annakkarage were interested in what kind of educational opportunities Uninovis offers in other countries, what kind of studies will be available, and for what length of time. At some point in her studies, Annakkarage would like to study at the Sorbonne Paris Nord in France, and Lankahaluge at The Hague University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. They believe that European cooperation in education and training will bring new job opportunities in the future.

Photo: Emmi Rämö

Mobility and academic cooperation

Uninovis offers a concrete way to develop education, RDI activities and services in a European context and to strengthen the international capabilities of students and staff.

"At the same time, the alliance challenges us to think about our strengths and clarify our own role in a larger European community," says Tiina Koskiranta.

The alliance has created eight thematic Excellence Hubs that coordinate and strengthen the research and innovation activities of Uninovis partner universities. In addition, the alliance's first research traineeship programme was recently opened, enabling international cooperation between students and junior level researchers.

Already during the first year of operation, Uninovis enabled a total of about 200 student and staff exchanges. The network organised various international conferences, intensive courses, innovation camps and staff weeks, which strengthened the exchange of expertise and the development of teaching.

Photo: Hamza Ahmad

Bioanalytics teachers Marjut Murtosaari and Tiina Ceder, who visited the birthday party, are going to Malaga in April to find out what kind of opportunities Uninovis could bring them. 

" This is a chance to step outside the box and broaden your perspective. You get to see how things are done elsewhere. Just go for it!” says Murtosaari.

The Degree Programme in bioanalytics does not have an international curriculum, and there is currently little international cooperation. According to Ceder, students are nevertheless interested in studying in English and internationality in general, and they want to go on student exchange. 

The University of Málaga, a partner university in Spain, teaches biology while the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli in Italy teaches bioanalytics, so cooperation with both institutions could well come into question.  

Towards a common European learning ecosystem

Higher education alliances are the EU's key project in the development of education. Uninovis is part of this European higher education cooperation, where different higher education institutions and regional contexts meet on an equal ground.

"Alliances help build a Europe where competence is developed together and students and staff have genuine opportunities to move, learn and make an influence across borders. In this sense, Uninovis is also an investment in the future of Europe," says Tiina Koskiranta.

The partners have started to develop a joint teaching structure, with a focus on applied data science. The work has progressed in the planning of micro-credentials, joint and double degrees as well as the future Uninovis Diploma in Applied Data Science module.

According to Koskiranta, TAMK has a huge amount of expertise to share and the ability to develop new things quickly and boldly.

"TAMK has brought strong expertise to Uninovis, especially in pedagogy, working life cooperation and student-centered development. We are used to doing things in a practical way and through experimentation, and this is also reflected in the way we participate in the joint work of the alliance. In addition, we bring in an active and committed staff who are ready to learn new things and share their expertise.”

The alliance launched initiatives to support the green transition and digital transformation. A common ESG framework is being prepared, and at the same time, the planning of the Common Distributed Platform entity has begun. Its goal is to combine the digital learning environments of partner universities.

Looking ahead

The first year focused on building the foundation – next, the focus will shift to concrete implementation and impact. The objectives for the coming years include the introduction of micro-credentials, the expansion of mobility opportunities, the deepening of research cooperation, and the gradual introduction of a common digital infrastructure.

The alliance has progressed from a vision to a functional cooperation network. Tiina Koskiranta says that the cooperation with the member universities has been open and constructive, although at times challenging.

"I believe that over the years, the road will become smoother. I also strongly believe that with Uninovis, TAMK's internationality and European cooperation in both education and RDI activities will rise to a whole new level. In hockey terms: when you believe in your own doing and play your own game, the result will come.”   

Authors: Emmi Rämö and Kirsi Popova (TAMK), Rob van Netburg (THUAS)