HNU President Prof. Dr. Uta M. Feser and HNU Chancellor Marcus Dingel visited the Finnish Oulu University of Applied Sciences (OAMK), with which a close cooperation has existed for many years. On site, President Feser and OAMK President Dr. Heidi Fagerholm extended the double-degree agreement between the two universities for another five years. Also present was OAMK Vice Rector Jyrki Laitinen. Under the agreement, students of Business Administration (BWL), Data Science Management (DSM), Information Management and Corporate Communications (IMUK) and Information Management Automotive (IMA) will complete two semesters in Finland as part of their regular studies and receive bachelor's and master's degrees from both universities. For their part, double-degree students from OAMK spend two semesters at HNU and likewise receive two degrees.
New ideas for cooperation: productive exchange on common focal points
The Finnish partners provided insights into their spatial, teaching and learning concept, which emphasizes the teaching and acquisition of learning skills. "OAMK relies on a very similar spatial concept as HNU: as much space as possible for teamwork," reported HNU Chancellor Dingel. "This is realized, for example, via group workrooms, like the ones we created with the renovation of the HNU library."
The visit's agenda also included a visit to the Faculty of Health Management, during which future collaboration at the master's level was discussed. In addition, the HNU guests visited the Oulu-based company Nokia, which again has a branch in Ulm, the city of science. Future offers for studies with in-depth practical experience and joint transfer projects are being considered.
The exchange about the common focus around innovation, entrepreneurship and start-up development was particularly productive. "We can learn a lot from each other in these areas," said HNU President Feser. "We remain in active contact with OAMK here and will exchange ideas about further opportunities for cooperation in these areas."
