Project

Kvarken Unicollab

Cross-Border University Cooperation
Kvarken Unicollab

Budget: The total budget of this project is 39,971 EUR, whereof 25,981 EUR is EU-funding via the Interreg Aurora programme.
Project partners: Kvarken Council EGTC (main partner, sole beneficiary).
Financiers: Interreg Aurora, Kvarken Council EGTC, and Regional Council of Lapland.
Timetable: 1.9.2024–31.5.2025.

About the project

The Unicollab feasibility study aims to address the increasing demand for specialised labor through enhanced collaboration between educational institutions across borders. The rapid industrial development in the region requires specialised labor, which presents challenges in educating current residents and attracting new ones. Several educational organisations in the region see potential in increased collaboration, but structural differences pose obstacles. The project aims to identify common goals and challenges to lay the foundation for future projects and actions where coordination and collaboration can take place.

During the Kvarken Unicollab feasibility study, the Kvarken Council is working together with Umeå University, Mid Sweden University, University of Vaasa, Hanken School of Economics, and Vaasa University of Applied Sciences. Other members of the Kvarken Council will also be invited to participate in the sessions.

Briefly about the project:

  • Challenges and opportunities: The rapid industrial development in the Kvarken region requires specialised labor, which presents challenges in educating current residents and attracting new ones.
  • Educational collaboration: Several educational organisations in the region see potential in increased collaboration, but structural differences pose obstacles.
  • Project goals: The project aims to identify common goals and challenges to lay the foundation for future projects and actions where coordination and collaboration can take place.
  • Work structure: The project is organised as a single work package with four sessions/workshops, each with a specific goal and priority.
  • Expected results: Each meeting is expected to lead to the identification of collaborations in each area (research, education, collaboration).

The project is fully in line with the Kvarken Council’s strategy. One of the strategy’s five priority areas is called competence and learning. This priority area is described in the following way:

“In order to meet the needs and opportunities of today and the future, we need to strengthen the general knowledge of the importance of modern export and industrial policies for the continued development of our region, in politics and administration as well as in the general population. Cross-border competence development and the exchange across all levels of education and industries in the region need to continuously remain at the leading edge of development.

At present there are approximately 90,000 students attending universities and schools of higher education in the Kvarken region. Thus the further intensification of cooperation between universities and educational institutions in the region remains central to our goals, as well as the exchange of knowledge and experience within and between initiatives and projects in the region.” 

 

Contact persons

Veronica Berg

Veronica Berg

Development Manager veronica.berg@kvarken.org +46 70 729 5547