Unicollab Builds Bridges Between the Kvarken Region’s Higher Education Institutions
The Feasibility Study has laid the Groundwork for Deepened Cross-Border University Cooperation
Six universities and universities of applied sciences in the Kvarken region have now mapped out how they can strengthen their position together on the international education stage. The Unicollab feasibility study has explored new opportunities for cross-border cooperation and identified ways forward. The initiative came from VAMK University of Applied Sciences, which had noted that the region lacked a comprehensive approach to university cooperation. The Kvarken Council’s Board liked the idea, and the Kvarken Council drafted the project plan and secured funding. The Kvarken Council has served as a platform facilitating the meetings, while the participating institutions themselves have provided the content, discussions, and cooperation.
The final Unicollab meeting was held in Sundsvall, Sweden, in May 2025.
Six Institutions Participated in the Feasibility Study
Unicollab was carried out as a feasibility study in the form of a so-called small scale project under Interreg Aurora, funded by the Regional Development Fund. The Kvarken Council was the sole beneficiary and lead partner of the project. In total, six universities and universities of applied sciences participated: Umeå University, Mid Sweden University, University of Vaasa, Hanken, VAMK, and NOVIA.
The aim was to explore how cooperation can be strengthened at both the strategic and structural levels. The project has provided valuable insights despite challenges in engaging leadership – not least due to busy schedules and parallel European university alliances.
Concrete Outcomes and Future Plans
Participants explored each other’s education and research environments on-site during four meetings. One key discovery was the existence of research infrastructures that could be shared and used jointly across borders.
“It’s been very valuable to experience each other’s environments, and we need more of this”, notes Heidi Hansson, Professor at Umeå University and Chair of the feasibility study’s steering group.
At the final meeting in Sundsvall, the framework for continued collaboration was made more concrete, both in education and in research and development. Different working groups will now develop:
- A joint summer school and graduate school
- Online courses and programs
- Collaboration in energy research
- Research on resilience, comprehensive security, and health.
“With the concrete forms of collaboration we are now planning – from joint summer schools to energy research and security – we’re building a foundation for long-term cooperation that will benefit teachers, students, researchers, our stakeholders, and the entire region”, summarizes Marja-Riitta Vest, Director at VAMK.
Strategic Initiatives for the Future
In addition to concrete collaboration formats, strategic initiatives are being planned, such as recruiting members to each other’s Boards and committees, inviting representatives to events, and utilizing colleagues as experts and guest lecturers. A practical example is that Umeå University’s Board will hold its autumn meeting in Vaasa.
Future Efforts to Deepen Cooperation
One key takeaway from the project is the need to develop structures that will support long-term collaboration between the higher education institutions. In today’s highly competitive international higher education landscape, regional initiatives need additional attention and support.
The overall goal remains unchanged: to create a strong international educational environment that attracts international students and encourages them to stay in the region. With Unicollab as a foundation, the conditions are now stronger for building the stable platform of long-term and flexible collaboration that is required.
The Unicollab feasibility study was carried out in 2024–2025 as an Interreg Aurora project, with the Kvarken Council as the sole beneficiary and lead partner. Read more about the project HERE and explore the Kvarken region’s educational offerings at kvarkenuniversity.com.
