Kajaani University of Applied Sciences and Aalto University admitted as new Finnish members of ENIHEI network
ENIHEI – the European Network of Innovative Universities – is network of higher education institutions established in the summer 2022 to develop thinking on how higher education can drive regional innovation. Network members include 37 higher education institutions from across the EU. Finnish members include Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (KAMK), appointed by the Ministry of Education and Culture, and Aalto University, nominated by the European Commission.
The network implements the New European Innovation Agenda launched by the European Commission in July 2022. Advanced ‘deep tech’ technologies emerging in the next few years are at the core of the Innovation Agenda. Transforming services and even the operating structures of our society, some of these technologies are already on the market while some are still in the research stage. The Innovation Agenda aligns with regional smart specialisation strategies for areas such as Kainuu and Eastern Finland.
From the perspective of developing the Kainuu region, the ENIHEI network brings about opportunities to implement the regional smart specialisation programme in a new way. Members or the ENIHEI network and the regions involved will have an advantage when the Commission opens calls for proposals for implementing the Agenda (https://eit-hei.eu/calls/call-for-proposals-4/).
Operations model for developing deep tech competence for businesses, research organisations and students
At KAMK, the development of the ENIHEI collaboration has been led by lecturer and project manager Kirsi Meriläinen and lecturer Antti Rimpiläinen.
Among the first results, the efforts have yielded an operations model for developing deep tech competence for businesses, research organisations and students. It consists of modules which are tailored for the unique characteristics of each business. The model prioritises companies’ need for competence and technological upgrading, along with the creation of an operating culture where business needs are identified and appropriate solutions are delivered through learning and RDI activities. International KAMK Master School students were involved in testing the model and preparing suggested solutions for future challenges facing the companies.
Living Labs is one of the methods used in the model. The Living Labs concept refers to a real-life environment where companies, research institutes and students collaborate to generate innovation. During the project, the Living Labs operations model was developed in the thesis titled Empower collaboration by developing KAMK Living Labs to connect students and companies‘ by Carolina Ferreira, Master’s Degree student in Global Business Management at KAMK. Based on information collected from ENIHEI network member universities in Italy, Bulgaria and Sweden, Ferreira formulated suggestions for developing KAMK’s Living Labs operations model.
ENIHEI network continues to promote innovation based on deep tech
The first two years of ENIHEI have proven the importance of an international network of higher education institutions. Following the initial stage, the ENIHEI network moves to the next stage in its collaboration. Led by the University of Salamanca in Spain, the network will look for ways to secure funding to solidify its position. From the perspective of Kainuu’s regional development, the ENIHEI network continues its operations by providing benchmarking subjects for the joint INSPIS project by KAMK and the Wellbeing Services County (ERDF funding by the Regional Council of Kainuu). The purpose of the project is to develop a new way of producing social and healthcare services in the Kainuu region. The goal is to create an innovation ecosystem with the ability to respond to a changing operational environment and provide data, research results, infrastructure, digital transformation and technology related to the sector to support the provision of social and health care services.
