Solving global challenges needs international and multidisciplinary co-operation in terms of education and capacity building. Therefore, seven Chilean and Finnish universities have created a co-operation network to enhance bilateral capacity building in the field of bioeconomy and sharing the best practices between Chile and Finland.
Universities are informing of collaboration by signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). These universities are Universidad Católica del Maule of Chile, Universidad Austral de Chile, Universidad de Talca, Universidad de Concepción, University of Eastern Finland, Karelia University of Applied Sciences and Savonia University of Applied Sciences.
Universities are planning cooperation in terms of joint implementation on bioeconomy education for students and professionals. This includes sharing of experiences and best practices on enhancing the quality of teaching and learning in higher education. The focus areas are sustainable and socially responsible use of natural resources, wood construction, bio and circular economy, and agricultural systems. Co-operation will start by sharing best practices of bioeconomy education programs, e.g. Finnish bioeconomy specialization studies which is targeted for the professionals working in the broad field of bioeconomy.
This cooperation is part of the Finnish bioeconomy development project called “Developing international bioeconomy competence in Eastern Finland by working life oriented continuous learning”. This project aims to improve the offerings of the universities in continuous learning in the growing bioeconomy sector and to develop working life orientation of the education, both pedagogically and in terms of substance. Project is funded by the European social fund and its duration is 2.5 years.
Kick-off meeting will be on 31st of March 2021.
Written by Piritta Torssonen, Join-Bioerko Project manager, UEF
