In English

The number of international students at universities of applied sciences has increased and continues to grow. It is particularly difficult for international students to get internships, even though internships are a key part of bachelor's studies.

At the same time, there is a need for highly educated experts in regional cities, but the opportunities offered by international university of applied sciences students are poorly known. Many international students would like to stay in Finland to work after their studies. The KOHTA project supports their opportunities to settle in regional cities.

Goals of the project

The main goal of the project is to promote access to internships for international university of applied sciences students and later employment in the regional cities of the provinces. The aim is to achieve this goal by developing cooperation between universities of applied sciences, regional cities and business developers, and by strengthening student guidance and networks.

Key Measures

1. Build a common knowledge base on the perceptions of companies and employers in
Pirkanmaa and Southwest Finland, as well as international students and degree programs, on
how employers’ needs and international students’ skills meet and how this matching can be
developed.
2. Organize targeted networking events and company visits for international students, aiming at internships in these companies.
3. Support international students’ internships: Produce a guide and support measures for
employers on multilingualism, language awareness, and guidance for international students,
support companies in guiding students, and pilot new guidance models.
4. Strengthen the attractiveness and retention of the regions by mapping regional networks that
promote the integration of international students and employees into the locality.
5. Based on experiences, publish the cooperation model to promote internships and
employment for international students in universities of applied sciences openly in electronic
form. The model provides a clear picture of the cooperation forms, processes, and possible
different roles of various actors tested in Pirkanmaa and Southwest Finland.

Effect

After the project, universities of applied sciences, regional cities, their business operators and companies will have a functioning cooperation model that will improve international students’ access to meaningful and employment-promoting internships.

The model increases the attractiveness of regional cities and the readiness of companies in the regions to accept trainees and employees with a foreign background. The project also supports the matching of labour and jobs, ensuring that work and workers find each other better than before.

Financing

The project is co-financed by the European Social Fund ESF+.

Partners

The main implementer is Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK), the co-implementers are Turku University of Applied Sciences and Yrityssalo Oy. The partners are the cities of Loimaa, Salo, Sastamala and Uusikaupunki, the development company Ikaalisten Kylpyläkaupunki Oy, Kehitys-Parkki Oy, MW-Kehitys Oy and Savonia University of Applied Sciences.

The project will be implemented during the period 1.8.2025-31.12.2027.

Contact information:

Project manager:

Laura Sairanen

laura.sairanen@tuni.fi

+358505649883