TAMK strengthens cooperation with Ukraine: expertise flows both ways

Experts from various fields at TAMK have been working with Ukrainian partners since before Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Recent encounters in Finland and Ukraine have highlighted new opportunities for cooperation in education, research, development and innovation.

The areas of cooperation range from rebuilding Ukraine’s infrastructure to strengthening the health, safety, wellbeing and competence of individuals and communities.

"We have a great deal to contribute, but it is equally important to recognise how much we can learn from Ukrainians. Our Ukrainian partners have repeatedly emphasised that the relationships built during the war will remain important far into the future," says Johanna Vilppola. 

Vilppola’s role is to connect TAMK experts with Ukrainian and Finnish partners, direct cooperation initiatives to the right people and promote new opportunities. However, cooperation with Ukraine takes place widely across TAMK, with designated experts in the different faculties.

“The multidisciplinary approach is our strength. Addressing a single challenge may require expertise in social services and healthcare, engineering, safety and security, and business,” Vilppola emphasises.

"We want to bring TAMK’s multidisciplinary expertise to support Ukraine and build partnerships that will have an impact far into the future. At the same time, this cooperation strengthens our own expertise and our ability to respond to the changing needs of society," says President and CEO, Professor Mika Hannula.

Ukraine has much to offer Finland

At TAMK, Ukraine is not seen solely as a recipient of support. Ukrainians have had to rapidly develop their preparedness and entire society’s ability to function under exceptional and disruptive conditions. This has also produced practical solutions and international networks that Finland can learn from.

“Ukraine is not an interesting partner only because of the war. We can learn from Ukrainians about maintaining a functioning society in times of disruption, as well as preparedness and international cooperation. Many of these solutions are valuable in peacetime as well,” Vilppola says.

New partners are also sought in Finland

TAMK welcomes new cooperation initiatives from Ukrainian partners as well as Finnish companies, higher education institutions, research organisations and other partners. Business Tampere plays an important role in building networks.

“In the future, I would like to see joint research, evidence-based development and solutions that benefit all parties. Alongside immediate needs, we also need longer-term research and cooperation in areas such as wellbeing, wellbeing at work and strengthening the resilience and functioning of societies,” Vilppola says.

Vilppola has worked in roles related to crises and emergency conditions since the mid-1990s. Cooperation with Ukraine is a natural continuation of this work.

“When people get to know each other, cooperation gains greater depth, agility and a stronger commitment to doing things as well as possible. We are building this cooperation together with experts from different fields and with our partners.”

Contact

Johanna Vilppola
Principal Researcher, Doctor of Education, SAFE research group
Partnerships Manager, Ukraine Cooperation
Tampere University of Applied Sciences
johanna.vilppola@tuni.fi, +358 50 4389 456