For exactly 30 years, university of applied sciences education has met the needs of the labour market. UAS education became established in 1996, and at the same time, the current form of UAS degrees, student unions and the advocacy work of professional higher education were also established. Throughout its history, university of applied sciences education has been in constant motion and has secured its place as an important part of the higher education system.

Especially amidst the pressures for change, Finnish professional higher education has demonstrated its agility. It has been able to respond to the challenges of the regions and the whole of Finland by producing the necessary expertise for the respective needs. The significance of UAS education for the regions is considerable, as the majority of applicants come from nearby areas, and correspondingly, a significant proportion of graduates find employment in their own region. In the current situation, the development of the UAS sector focuses on creating opportunities for vital RDI (research, development and innovation) activities and promoting its funding. The national goal is to raise the skill level of Finns by, among other things, increasing the number of people with higher education in different age groups.

– Increasing the recognition of Master’s degrees from universities of applied sciences and developing further education opportunities in the international market are key to raising the skill level, says Jaakko Hyvönen, Chairperson of the Professionals of Business and Technology. – To succeed in these, universities of applied sciences must be able to continue developing their activities independently.

– The greatest strength of university of applied sciences education is its working life orientation, which must be further strengthened, says Samu Salo, Chairperson of the Union of Professional Engineers. – Students are an asset to the business sector, providing new perspectives to companies’ operations already during their studies through, for example, internship periods and project work. Together with legally secured student union activities, this makes universities of applied sciences dynamic communities.

– We hope that the Finland of opportunities will also exist in the future for students : accessibility both regionally and for young people and adults from different backgrounds. We are deeply concerned about the wellbeing of current students and the weakening trust of young people in the future, says Chairperson Helena Maijanen from the National Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences – SAMOK. – With high-quality and adequately resourced university of applied sciences education, it is possible to influence these challenges and guarantee future generations degrees with which they can succeed in working life.

The National Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences – SAMOK, the Union of Professional Engineers IL and the Professionals of Business and Technology are organising an anniversary seminar today, 17 April, which deals with both the history and the future of UAS education. The government’s greeting to the seminar will be brought by the Minister of Science and Culture, Mari-Leena Talvitie. It is possible to follow the seminar via Yle Areena:

Morning session starting at 9:30:

UAS30yrs – the story of the birth of work-based university of applied sciences education
https://areena.yle.fi/1-77779588

Afternoon session starting at 13:15:

UAS30yrs – the significance of UAS education for Finland now and in the future
https://areena.yle.fi/1-77779847

Facts about university of applied sciences education

• Universities of Applied Sciences were established in 1996 and are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year.
• Two-thirds of all higher education graduates graduate from universities of applied sciences.
• The Master’s degree from a university of applied sciences was established in our education system in 2005, from which there is still no clear path to a doctoral degree.
• RDI activities of universities of applied sciences are an increasingly significant part of their activities and serve especially the needs of SMEs and regional development.
• Nearly half of university of applied sciences students have completed a vocational upper secondary qualification.

Further information:

Union of Professional Engineers IL
Samu Salo, Chairperson
tel. 040 184 2290

National Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences – SAMOK
Helena Maijanen, Chairperson
tel. 050 389 1000

Professionals of Business and Technology
Jaakko Hyvönen, Chairperson
tel. 040 515 8591