COMPETENCE IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (2 CR) 

COMPETENCE GOAL: 

16. You know the role of research and development in regional development work. 

 

Universities of Applied Science and RDI

In addition to teaching, Research and development was assigned as the statutory duty of Universities of Applied Sciences in Finland in 2003. Innovation was added to the statutory duties in 2015.

“… it is the duty of a university of Applied sciences to carry out research, development and innovation activities that support education at Universities of Applied Sciences, promote working life and regional development and reform the region’s business structure, and to carry out artistic activities. In pursuing these duties, Universities of Applied Sciences must promote lifelong learning.” (28.12.2018/1368)

Source: http://www.arene.fi/wp-content/uploads/Raportit/2018/arene_innovation-development-and-research_web.pdf

RDI in vocational education

According to a member survey conducted by AMKE in April-22, the majority of vocational training providers carry out research, development and innovation activities. According to the surveys, the research, development and innovation activities carried out by vocational training organizers are characterized by practicality, strong links to the development activities of their area of ​​operation and versatile business networks. Almost half of the training organizers who responded to the survey named working and business life as the most important partner for RDI activities. Cooperation is carried out e.g. in sustainable development solutions and in the development of business and production processes.

Importance of RDI

The Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture has published a Vision for strengthening the international dimension of Finnish higher education and research by 2035. According to the vision:

“Strong democracy, inclusion, non-discrimination and responsibility drive our higher education, research and innovation activities. Our forward-looking approach to international cooperation promotes a diverse world built upon research-based knowledge and skills. Finland broadens mutual international cooperation, to strengthen the quality of Finnish higher education, research and innovation activities as well as the international skills and competences of different actors. Finland works actively in networks and creates solutions to global challenges together with our international partners. Finland is an open and attractive country by many measures.”


Source: https://okm.fi/en/vision-for-the-international-dimension-2035

According to Arene: “Universities of Applied Sciences have strong expertise in the areas of research, development and innovation, and an important role in the Finnish research and innovation system. The RDI activities of Universities of Applied Sciences are strategically managed, making up a significant part of Finland’s research and innovation system. Students actively participate in research, development and innovation activities with working life. The staff’s strong connection to working life, their practical experience and research and development expertise are the foundation of RDI activities.”

 

RDI in SeAMK

SeAMK's research, development and innovation activities (TKI) are mainly applied research serving the region. R&D activities are focused on strategic focus areas, which have been defined according to SeAMK's own expertise and the needs of regional customers (see below). Companies and organizations in the Southern Ostrobothnia region are key partners in SeAMK's R&D activities. Working life orientation plays a significant role in the activities of the entire university of applied sciences. SeAMK's Regional University (Maakuntakorkeakoulu) coordinates activities in the various municipalities of Southern Ostrobothnia and their surrounding areas. (seamk.fi)

SeAMK profiles itself in entrepreneurship and food and, in accordance with its vision, wants to be the best university for students. SeAMK directs its teaching and R&D activities as well as its networks according to the focus areas. Within the focus areas, SeAMK's areas of strength are food safety, digital manufacturing and industrial internet, wellness technology and growth entrepreneurship and changes of ownership.

RDI and teaching

Linking R&D activities to the teaching of universities of applied sciences is important. According to Sarajärvi et al. (2013), R&D integration is an activity that promotes students' learning and utilizes different learning environments. In addition, R&D integration increases cooperation with working life.

Typical forms of R&D-integrated learning are e.g. project studies, internships and theses. So far, however, open operating models have not always been applied well enough to TKI-integrated teaching and learning at universities of applied sciences. (SeAMK-verkkolehti)

According to LAB’s Jormanainen and Uosukainen, the key prerequisite for the success of R&D integration is that the teachers are already involved in the planning phase of the project and the curriculum is connected to the project plan. Furthermore, in the implementation phase, it is important to resource working time so that teachers have enough time to participate in the project. The projects provide current topics for study courses, which can be approached from the perspectives of case learning, collaborative project learning or problem-based learning. The results of R&D projects can be used in simulation teaching, to which games can be added. Game-based learning is suitable for situations where creative solutions to current problems are sought.

Väänänen and Peltonen also believe that eith successful integration, a uniform R&D and teaching culture will be created for the educational institution and better project applications will be obtained. R&D projects give the opportunity to try different teaching methods that activate students and support deep learning. When successful, integration always also strengthens the quality of education.

RDI in Universities of Applied Science in recent years and in the future

Vesa Taatila from Arene suggests that:

“Right now, Finland is particularly in need of practical, but high level, R&D work done in universities of applied sciences.”

The R&D activities of universities of applied sciences have expanded enormously in the past 10 years and some might argue that it is already the backbone of growth in Finland. A newly created TKI.fi site gathers the R&D activities of universities of applied sciences for viewing through one site, also describing the nature and scope of the RDI work of universities of applied sciences in a general. The connection between education and research is also getting stronger all the time.

Arene’s view is that

”In order to improve work productivity, more R&D funding should be directed to collaborative applied research and development activities than is currently the case. Training organizations take care of the recycling of skills and knowledge. Universities of applied sciences have enormous potential, especially in strengthening the R&D work of SMEs.”  https://www.tuni.fi/fi/ajankohtaista/ammattikorkeakoulujen-tki-toiminta-keratty-ensimmaista-kertaa-yhteen-osoitteeseen

 

 

 

References:

Ammatillinen koulutus on vahvasti mukana TKI-toiminnassa https://www.amke.fi/ajankohtaista/uutiset/uutinen/ammatillinen-koulutus-on-vahvasti-mukana-tki-toiminnassa.html

https://blogit.lab.fi/labfocus/tki-hankkeiden-integrointi-opetukseen/

Sarajärvi, A., Salmela, L. & Erikson, E. 2013.TKI-työn ja opetuksen kehittämisprojektin tulokset, kehittämishaasteet ja -suositukset. AMK-lehti. [Viitattu 1.3.2023]. Saatavilla: https://uasjournal.fi/tutkimus-innovaatiot/tki-tyon-ja-opetuksen-kehittamisprojektin-tulokset-kehittamishaasteet-ja-suositukset/#1458134585005-b3f22396-5506 

https://okm.fi/en/vision-for-the-international-dimension-2035

https://www.seamk.fi/ammattikorkeakoulujen-tki-toiminta-entista-vaikuttavampaa-ja-laajempaa/

Väänänen, I. & Peltonen, K. 2020. Siiloista saumattomaan opetukseen ja TKI-toiminnan integrointiin ammattikorkeakouluissa, Ammattikasvatuksen aikakauskirja 22(2), 52–69. [Viitattu 1.3.2023]. Saatavilla: https://akakk.fi/wp-content/uploads/Aikakauskirja-2.20.-Va%CC%88a%CC%88na%CC%88nen-ja-Peltonen.pdf 

https://www.tuni.fi/fi/ajankohtaista/ammattikorkeakoulujen-tki-toiminta-keratty-ensimmaista-kertaa-yhteen-osoitteeseen

https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/2014/20140932#L1P4

http://www.arene.fi/wp-content/uploads/Raportit/2018/arene_innovation-development-and-research_web.pdf

https://lehti.seamk.fi/muut-artikkelit/avoimen-tki-intergoidun-oppimisen-monet-muodot/

 

 

 

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