1. Innovation Studies at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
Aija Ahokas & Nea Lehtimäki
International Institute of Health Sciences

2. Innovation – what is it?
When an electric engineer meets an occupational
therapist, when a film director meets a construction manager, when a nurse meets a business expert,
the result is a completely new and unique way of thinking.
An innovation is a novel solution to a real problem. It has been made concrete, tested and piloted or created into a marketable product or service – or otherwise for the benefit of the society and people – to create value. An idea is not an innovation, it has to be made real.

3. Innovation  entrepreneurship  intrapreneurship
Entrepreneurship is important, but before it is advisable
to start a business, you need a distinguishable service,
product or a new way of doing something.
This is why we have chosen innovation processes as the learning platform – to help our students find new opportunities proactively through cooperation.
Innovation is not only important in technical fields, but also in wellbeing, culture, business and healthcare.

4. Innovation  entrepreneurship  intrapreneurship
Social innovations are nowadays important. To develop, society needs smart solutions and new kinds of processes.
Intrapreneurship is also important: organisations need
proactive, independent, cooperative and enthusiastic
developers in all organisational levels to solve today’s
difficult problems.
This is why Metropolia decided in 2008 that all students
should participate in an innovation project.

5. Innovation – what is it?

6. Metropolia is an innovation university
Innovation project is mandatory for all the students, in each group around
4-7 students . Yearly over innovation projects at Metropolia

7. Everyone takes part in an innovation project
Every undergraduate takes part in a 10 credit point innovation project
10 ECTS equals to 270 hours of work
The subject matters arise from labour market needs
Students, lecturers and tutors from various fields of study cooperate with businesses to plan and implement the project
The outcome will not be determined in advance: during the process new solutions will be found for the benefit of businesses and customers

8. Innovation project outcomes
How to help children to experience a more enjoyable hospital visit with new technology? Physiotherapy Microsoft Xbox Kinect game for the New Children’s hospital
Ambulance simulator for a safe way to learn how to provide emergency care. Automation Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Emergency Care students created an ambulance simulator for emergency care teaching purposes.

9. Nursing Clinical Competencies – Innovation project

10. Nursing students professional competence
The overall aim: to ensure that all graduating registered nurses in every university of applied sciences in Finland gain adequate professional competence.
Outcome: a standardized national professional nursing
competency examination for generalist registered
nursing students to ensure the quality of
graduating nurses’ professional competence

11. Nursing students professional competence

12. Students´ Experiences
“I found the innovation project much more positive
than I originally anticipated. The extent and
potential of the project did not become clear
to me until during the project. This project will
also provide the topic for my final project, and I
can continue to work as a member of a fantastic
team!”
- Social Services Student Jukka Naskali, Metropolia UAS

13. Client Experience about the Innovation project
“The cooperation was smooth and easy. The students were well motivated and interested in the project. They had good interaction and communication skills. Client wishes were carefully taken into account during this intensive process.
The four project groups were all successful in realizing their diverse project results. Thank you for offering us this possibility, it was really super to be involved in this project!”
Head of Daycare Center Mirka Czéh, Pilke päiväkodit

14. Annual Minnofest