How megatrends affect RDI activities – VAMK’s strengths in the changing world

The focus of the annual Megatrend Day of Vaasa University of Applied Sciences on May 22nd, 2025, was on the sharpening of research platform focus and the overall strengthening of VAMK’s research profile.

Around 50 VAMK staff members, partners and stakeholders participated in the Megatrend Day that was held at the Health Care and Social Services’ learning centre Alere. During the thought-provoking event, participants engaged in joint reflection on how to further strengthen VAMK’s pioneering research and innovation activities, as well as how to more accurately identify the opportunities and challenges posed by the surrounding environment.

The goal of the Megatrend Day is to annually bring together staff and stakeholders around current themes and to address them from an RDI perspective.

“We must be able to respond to the phenomena of our time and the rapid changes in the operating environment in a multidisciplinary and timely manner, anticipate future developments, and seek solutions through our applied RDI work in close cooperation with business and working life. In all of this, our RDI platforms play a significant role,” says Marja-Riitta Vest, VAMK’s RDI Director.

Interesting insights on the possibilities of RDI

Many inspiring speeches were heard during the morning. The Chief Specialist from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment Harri Länsipuro guided the audience in reflecting on the role and opportunities of RDI activities and industrial policy in a changing future operating environment. Länsipuro encouraged the audience to boldly seek out new and innovative RDI initiatives.

A leading expert Valtteri Laasonen from the regional development consultancy MDI discussed the development and opportunities of funding and investments in RDI activities. In particular, he focused on the strengths of Ostrobothnia, Vaasa and VAMK in a changing operating environment.

Emilia Pernaa, Director of West Finland European Office, gave an overview of the upcoming EU programme period. Before the co-development part of the day, a recap based on the earlier speeches was given by an experienced EU funding advisor Rob Moonen from Moonen Ventures. He shared his insights on how Vaasa, VAMK and the new EU programme period look like.

In the second part of the day, participants had the opportunity to reflect together on the future focus areas of VAMK’s research platforms, develop new research initiatives, and brainstorm potential new names for the platforms.