Sitra to Fund Battery Technology Education in The Vaasa Region
VAMK University of Applied Sciences will start a new study module that will educate battery technology experts for the region’s business life.
The study module will be carried out as a project and Sitra is the main financier.
The studies are planned and carried out in cooperation with the University of Vaasa, Novia University of Applied Sciences, and the Kokkola unit (Chydenius) of the University of Oulu. Also the regions’ companies take tightly part in planning and carrying out the course contents.
Several battery factory projects aiming at large-scale battery production are ongoing in the world. Finland and especially the Vaasa region have been active in trying to persuade such an investment. The positive publicity gained by the GigaVaasa-project has influenced the beginning of the new study module.
-There is only a little expertise concerning circular economy of batteries in the world. Finland, as the leading country on circular economy, could become a significant center of expertise, especially if life cycle is used as a planning viewpoint. This has also been the starting point when planning the education, says Jorma Tuominen, director of VAMK School of Technology.
The friendliness to the environment during the whole life cycle of products produced by companies is a major competitive advantage on global markets. The Vaasa region aims at becoming the most significant energy technology centre in Europe by the year 2030.
-This aim requires growth of the existing companies, new companies aiming for international markets, and cooperation between companies, educational and research institutions as well as authorities, says Tuominen.
VAMK, the University of Vaasa, and Novia University of Applied Sciences have carried out joint study modules taught in English before. The joint teaching and research laboratory Technobothnia and the new VEBIC-laboratory of the University of Vaasa make the joint education and research in Vaasa more effective.
-Besides reducing the costs of education, joint teaching gives the students’ versatile know how as the teachers and experts come from different organizations and companies, tells Tuominen.
-The studies concentrate especially on resource-efficient planning of battery technology, battery applications, and circular economy and the students will do practical work assignments for working life. The studies can be included into the curriculum of higher education students, either in optional studies or in advanced professional studies. The courses will also be available online for everyone. The project ends by the end of year 2018.
Further information:
Tomas Häyry, Mayor of Vaasa, phone +358 40 540 5412
Call back requests to Ulla Huhmarsalo, phone +358 6 325 1022.
Ulla Mäki-Lohiluoma, phone 040 573 3004
Picture material can be requested from Jenna Hoffren, phone 0400 282 440 , jenna.hoffren@vaasaparks.fi.