Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences

Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences

Kymenlaakson ammattikorkeakoulu
Motto	Kasva vahvaksi. Grow Strong.
Type	University of applied sciences (polytechnic)
Established	1996
President	Dr. Petteri Ikonen
Vice-president	Ph.D Mirja Toikka
Academic staff	199
Administrative staff	177
Students	4,238 (2013)[1]
Location	Kotka and Kouvola, Kymenlaakso, Finland
Website	www.kyamk.fi

Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences (Finnish: Kymenlaakson ammattikorkeakoulu, KyAMK) is a university of applied sciences (a polytechnic) in the region of Kymenlaakso, Finland.

KyUAS was established in 1996. It is about 132 km north-east from Helsinki. KyUAS has 3 campuses: Kasarminmäki in Kouvola, Jylppy and Metsola in Kotka. The University of Applied Sciences is located in the most populated area of Finland

Briefly about KyUAS

Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences is the only higher level educational institution in Kymenlaakso region and therefore its role in general, especially for Kouvola region, is fundamental. Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences focuses on high-quality education and RDI activities and on promoting positive changes in the industrial structure of the province and the development of innovative, responsible industries in the region by providing professionals for locally important purposes. KyUAS has a very clearly legislated objective in regional development and is a good platform for dispersing applied knowledge throughout higher education.

KyUAS has over 100 partner institutions in Europe, Russia, America, the Baltic countries and Asia. The University of Applied Sciences employs about 200 teaching staffs, about 190 of whom are full-time teachers: about 25 principal lecturers, about 140 senior lecturers and about 30 lecturers. Among about 190 full-time teachers,about 20 lecturers have doctoral or licentiate degree, about 145 teachers have master's degree.^[2] In Finnish Education evaluation council's education evaluation 2010-2012, KyAmk was recognized as a centre of excellence in Learning and Competence Creating Ecosystems.^[3]

KyUAS and Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences are strategic partners, they together form a group XAMK whose parent company is Kaakkois-Suomen Ammattikorkeakoulu Oy.^[4] They will be merged into Southeastern Finland University of Applied Sciences in 2017. Kymenlaakson Ammattikorkeakoulu Oy's turnover in 2012 was 31.2 million euro.^[5]

Technology and Transport campus

Fields of Study

KyUAS operates in field of Culture, Social Service and Health Care, Technology and Transport, Social Sciences,Business and Administration. Bachelor’s degree studies comprise basic and professional studies, optional studies, work placement and a Bachelor’s thesis. The extent of the studies is 210–240 ECTS credits and the duration is 3.5–4 years. KyUAS has 23 Bachelor's degree programs, 7 Master's degree programs, 5 Double Degree programs.^[6]

Faculty

• Faculty of Culture
• Faculty of Social Services and Health Care
• Faculty of Technology and Transport
• Faculty of Social Sciences, Business and Administration

RDI Services

The objective of RDI activities conducted by Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences is to promote vitality, competence and well-being in Kymenlaakso. KyUAS conducts RDI activities in close co-operation with companies, organisations and the public sector. This co-operation promotes the success and growth of local companies and further improves the level of competence at KyUAS. The RDI centres provide multidisciplinary services for the business community in Kymenlaakso. Representatives from industry and commerce, KyUAS's RDI personnel, teachers and students work together on RDI projects. This supports students’ professional growth and gives teachers and RDI personnel the opportunity to keep their own knowledge up to date. In 2014, Kyamk received the Tips Prize for the third times in a row for the research, development and innovation practices.^[7]

KyUAS Design has launched and organized a series of national design competitions for design students, called Modo. This competition has later on developed on to international level: Baltic Modo 2009, Media Modo 2010 and the latest: Euro Modo 2011. Students from partner universities have been active participants in these competitions. Joint seminars and workshops have been arranged during the competition processes.^[8]

The specialisations of KyUAS are:

• Well-being and business services
• Sustainable energy solutions
• Competitive logistics and sea transport and their safety

2013:^[9]

• 67 projects, involving about 200 people (67 person-years)
• 24 new projects were launched
• The total budget for projects amounted to EUR 12.3 million.
• The annual project portfolio turnover was EUR 4 million.
• The main sources of funding were the EU and national programmes, municipal funding and private funding.

Most RDI projects are closely related to KyUAS’s specialisations

References

External links

• Official website