Successful Strategy Period for RDI Activities 2021-2024

Growth and International Impact

At the end of 2024, it is a suitable moment to review the results of the strategy period. The results of RDI activities were overall excellent, with strengthened competences and expanding networks increasing external funding from €800,000 in 2020 to over €1.9 million in 2024.

The number of projects has doubled in the same period, with over 60 projects running annually. We have also successfully integrated teaching and RDI activities through numerous projects, such as INCREDIT, which advanced deep tech and AI in education, and Competence for energy transition management.

Particularly significant are several impactful international projects, such as H2Excellence: Green Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Training. VAMK leads this extensive consortium of 24 organizations from ten countries to strengthen the hydrogen economy.

We also raised our level in the evaluation of open science and research to the highest class, which is 5.

Development Work Driven by Business Needs

The strength of universities of applied sciences lies in close cooperation with businesses and the labor market, especially in promoting sustainable growth and internationalization of SMEs. In recent years, VAMK has developed several development programs suitable for different stages of the growth lifecycle of SMEs, one example being The RDI pathway for SMEs, which aims to help SMEs in the West Coast region to increase their RDI activities and cooperation with different RDI actors in the region.

Our university of applied sciences also excels in other development activities serving business needs, collaborating with companies on for example Business Finland funding. Naturally, the significance of our teaching and research infrastructure, Technobothnia, is substantial for RDI activities. In 2024, we made significant investments to update the infrastructure to serve the region even better.

Our key partnership program has continued, now including 13 companies from our region. We continuously expand and develop the partnership program, carefully listening to the needs of businesses.

Finland thrives from the West Coast – West Coast Universities Join Forces to Strengthen Regional Competitiveness

VAMK also coordinates the West Coast cooperation of five universities of applied sciences, aiming to deepen collaboration around digital manufacturing technology and robotics, clean energy solutions, logistics and security of supply, and well-being. This innovative cooperation model has strengthened education and research collaboration and the competence base of the West Coast, supporting regional development in close cooperation with leading companies in the area.

The cooperation has been very goal-oriented and active. One example of collaboration is CORI 5.0, which aims to integrate cognitive robotics into manufacturing industry processes.

Marja-Riitta Vest
RDI Director