1. Savonia yrityspalvelut | Koulutuspalvelut www.savonia–amk.fi Examples of co-operation between Savonia University of Applied Sciences and companies

2. Savonia yrityspalvelut | Koulutuspalvelut www.savonia–amk.fi Contents 1. Co-operation in teaching Projects inside engineering studies Co-operation within normal lecturing 2. Co-operation in R&D projects New project: foreign students helping SME’s in their internationalisation process SME’s as partners and beneficiaries in EU-projects

3. Savonia yrityspalvelut | Koulutuspalvelut www.savonia–amk.fi About working with SME’s Entrepreneurs are very busy, with their hands always overflowing with tasks to be done Often don’t have time or experience for seeking aid from University etc. Sometimes don’t know how to seek outside funding for their projects Companies profit from using University’s testing facilities Universities need to be active in communicating with SME’s to know what they need -> organizing practical co-operation projects

4. Savonia yrityspalvelut | Koulutuspalvelut www.savonia–amk.fi Projects’ linkage to companies and teaching Project T&K –yksikkö: Company X Company Y Company Z Teaching Bachelor’s thesis Student projects

5. Savonia yrityspalvelut | Koulutuspalvelut www.savonia–amk.fi 1.Consulting within project courses In engineer education, there are project courses in which real-life projects are conducted by students Companies, research institutions, authorities etc. give topics -> students seek & produce information, perform laboratory tests, design etc -> help things to get forward with minimal cost for companies Students gain experience from real-life project work, responsibility etc. and contacts to possible future employers

6. Savonia yrityspalvelut | Koulutuspalvelut www.savonia–amk.fi Finding expertise from University for SME’s Savonia provides expertise among others in Mechanical engineering, Electronics design, Design, Marketing -> a small SME can get a lot of help for product development project from one organization Practical work for students, own fingerprint in a real product!

7. Savonia yrityspalvelut | Koulutuspalvelut www.savonia–amk.fi From company point of view In co-operation with students, companies receive motivated, active, fresh-minded workers Create a link to University which they can use every now and then, when a need appears -> effective communication By utilizing student’s knowledge, companies keep on touch how things are getting forward in own field - On the other hand, also University stays aware of what is happening out there

8. Savonia yrityspalvelut | Koulutuspalvelut www.savonia–amk.fi 1.2 Co-operation in lecturing As a teacher, it is vital to invite experts from companies to give a lecture for students - Students face new things as they will be faced in working life Also the value of study visits to key factories etc. cannot be overestimated Adult education for managers from SME’s in Iisalmi -> examples from business life

9. Savonia yrityspalvelut | Koulutuspalvelut www.savonia–amk.fi Rationale concerning R&D projects Company may give an original idea for testing, researching etc Savonia can start planning project based on this idea or company can be the primus motor, too - Financiers are encouraging companies to apply for funding and using Universities as administrators Also feasibility studies are possible on behalf of companies before major projects Environmental technology projects need close negotiation also with authorities, besides companies and financiers

10. Savonia yrityspalvelut | Koulutuspalvelut www.savonia–amk.fi 2.1 Helping companies in their internationalization process Foreign people are a resource which seems to be under- exploited in North Savo Like ambassadors of their home country for Finnish SME’s Small enterprises need help in using this opportunity Savonia’s legislative role is to support SME’s in our region

11. Savonia yrityspalvelut | Koulutuspalvelut www.savonia–amk.fi Current co-operation, example 1. A Russian graduated worker helping chemical manufacturer to gain sertificate for export to Russian market Translation of documents Communication with Russian parties

12. Savonia yrityspalvelut | Koulutuspalvelut www.savonia–amk.fi Current co-operation, example 2. A French business student creating marketing contacts from her home country for automation developer Searching, screening potential customers Market communication in French to sell the product

13. Savonia yrityspalvelut | Koulutuspalvelut www.savonia–amk.fi Current co-operation, example 3. A Chinese IT-student localising Software product to Chinese market Translation of text in user-interface Bringing the cultural know-how to SME about new export market

14. Savonia yrityspalvelut | Koulutuspalvelut www.savonia–amk.fi Current co-operation, example 4. A German graduated worker deepening contacts in Germany for a SME developing environmental technology - The product has been originally developed in a R&D project in Savonia, Technology, Environmental Engineering unit

15. Savonia yrityspalvelut | Koulutuspalvelut www.savonia–amk.fi 2.2 Company as partner in EU-funded project An educational project for environmental engineers and other professionals, financed by EU (ESF) We invited selected technology suppliers to join this project to present their products with an entrance-fee –> wide interest among technology suppliers in Finland -> enabled the funding from EU

16. Savonia yrityspalvelut | Koulutuspalvelut www.savonia–amk.fi Conclusions Objective is to develop truly win-win and long-term partnerships between SME, students, teachers, project workers and finally the whole University University people should be as one of company’s employees Everybody learn from multi-sector collaboration, many points of view!