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A digi-green future
Turku University of Applied Sciences has focused strongly on technology fields by increasing the number of study places and investing in learning and research environments. These efforts respond to the needs for experts and competence in our operating area. What kind of technology competence will Finland need in the future?
Text | Martti Komulainen, Communications Leader, Turku UAS Photos | Martti Komulainen
The coronavirus pandemic has not changed the fact that the Finnish economy is export-driven and technology industry products and services play a significant role in export (accounting for more than 50% of export revenue).
Education and R&D activities ensure that the sector will continue to be strong in the future.
What kind of future are new experts being trained for? What type of competence does working life – and the world – expect and require? This is not just a matter of securing economic growth, but of overcoming complex global problems.
What kind of competence is needed?
You don’t need to be a futurist to realise that the agenda in the near future includes momentous issues for the entire world, such as climate change and the depletion of natural resources. These may require not only a complete reform of economic thinking, but also technological innovations: energy-saving solutions, the use of renewable energy sources, circular economy thinking in all sectors.
In addition to adopting a sustainable development mindset, digitalisation skills was a second theme strongly highlighted in a study on the need for skills conducted by Technology Industries of Finland a couple of years ago. This means utilising digital platforms, but more specifically it includes artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, automation, robotisation and additive manufacturing techniques.
Educational organisations have read the Technology Finland report and listened carefully to other feedback from business life.
Juha Kontio, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Business at Turku UAS, emphasises the need for more generic skills in addition to sector-specific competence.
– We strive to educate people who will be able to participate in developing working life on a more long-term basis. Education has to create the readiness to function in an constantly changing and complex environment.
The skill needs survey also highlighted partnerships between higher education institutions and working life. Kontio agrees that this is an important area.
– The link between education and working life should be stronger and more versatile, including both educational cooperation and RDI activities. Even more studies could be completed by alternating between companies and the school, who
