International Alumni Newsletter

New Visual Imageof the UniversityA new visual image of the University was launched in November 2012. This new visual image with the new and fresh yellow logo is a crucial part of the brand of the University of Vaasa. “Building a brand is a process that takes several years, and for us, this process has now reached the stage of visualisation.” says Maria Mäkelä, Head of Communications at the University of Vaasa.

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When seeing the new logo for the fi rst time, most people will surely see a heart. When looking at the logo more closely, other images also start appearing: a letter V, a sharp pen, a brilliant mind, or you can see in it also the strength of a tightly-knit community consisting of many smaller components. “The logo of the University symbolises the theme of responsible leadership”, states Mäkelä and continues that “in the education and research provided by a modern university, heart and minds are combined. The future leaders and experts have to take into account also the consequences of the decisions that they make”.

The changes are also reaching our new website (www.uva.fi ), which was launched in December 2012. The emphasis in the website is with the user, and one of the main aims of the new website is that it would be easy to use and the information would be easily accessible. “We wish to reach more and more people in our most important target groups,” states Mäkelä.

We also wish to be more visible in the surrounding society in the future. Mäkelä lists some ways how this will be done: By adding the ways of communication and encouraging the researchers to have active public discussions. By making sure that the information we give out is done in an interesting way and by beingpresent in the same places our target groups are. More blogs and videos will be used, and the University of Vaasa can also be found in the social media. Alumni activity and cooperation with companies will also be developed further.

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Master’s Programme in Strategic ManagementOpen for InternationalStudents

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Starting from autumn 2013, Master’s Programme in Strategic Management opens its doors also to international students. The programme has been running before with Finnish students and now the programme will be opened also for international applicants.

ApplicationThe annual application

period for all international

Master’s Programmes at the

University of Vaasa is

1 January – 28 February.

Run by the Department of Management, the Master´s Programme in Strategic Management is a two-year programme focusing on the theory and practice of business development, from strategic analysis to strategic choice and strategy implementation. Its main aim is to provide skills and knowledge required at middle and upper management level in all kinds of businessesand organisations, large or small, public or private. Students graduating from the programme will have the skills necessary to understand the strategic position of organisations, how to make strategic choices, and how strategy can be turned into action to become a source of sustainable competitive advantage.

When asked to emphasise the main strength of the programme, the professors and teaching staff share the same opinion: its practical orientation. Participatory teaching methods and case-based learning techniques are adopted and the connection with the industry fi eld is strong. There are business leaders as guest speakersin the courses and writing the thesis in cooperation with companies is usually a very attractive option to the students.

The Programme Director of the Master’s Programme in Strategic Management Rodrigo Rabetino describes the programme as “unique”. “Research-based knowledge is combined with practical training and novel teach-ing methods. Students are provided with state of the art knowledge to take up the leadership and management of strategic processes. In addition, the learning environment, with teachers boasting international experience, makes the programme particularly intriguing”.

Studies in strategic management truly offer broad opportunities for students. As all fi rms rely on their ability to adapt to changes in the business environment - they need capabilities to rapidly learn and renew strategy and organisation. Thus, future business developers need to address the challenges related to strategy and to understand which mechanisms are critical for the future sustainable competitive advantage. Besides a career as business developer or consultant, a degree in StrategicManagement offers the students a chance to cover sales and marketing positions, work in the academic fi eld or become an entrepreneur.

Master’s Programmes at the University of Vaasa:masteryourstudies.fi

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Years!

Erasmus-Programme

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As international alumni of the University of Vaasa, you are surely familiar with a student exchange programme Erasmus. You might have had Erasmus students in the same courses with you or you might have been an Erasmus-student yourself. This year, this famous student exchange programme is turning 25 years and that is a cause for celebration.

Since the Erasmus programme started in 1987, almost 3 million students have participated in it and the number keeps growing all the time. At the moment over 4000 higher education institutions in 33 countries are taking part in Erasmus programme. The University of Vaasa sends out and receives altogether almost 300 Erasmusstudents and practicants per academic year, so the programme is strongly visible also on our campus.

Erasmus programme’s 25 anniversary has been celebrated around Europe, Finland and also in Vaasa. The International Offi ces of the institutions in Vaasa Consortium of Higher Education organised a photo exhibition in Tritonia Academic Library, where students’ pictures of their Erasmus exchange were on display. The same day as the photo exhibition was opened, Erasmus cake was offered for students and staff.

Make Erasmus, Not War.

about the Erasmus programme is available on the European Commission website http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-programme/erasmus_en.htm. On that website, you can also watch some videos of former Erasmus students and see how Erasmus exchange has affected their lives and careers.

More information

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Successful

InternshipProgrammeContinues

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In the academic year 2011 – 2012, the Vaasa Consortium of Higher Education decided to take action to help international students to integrate into the Finnish job market. This project, called Vaasa Internship Programme for International Students, was also featured in the previous International Alumni Newsletter. The project was financially supported by the City of Vaasa 400-years Jubilee fund and its aim was to act as a bridge between the international students and the employers in Ostrobothnia. The project turned out to be so good that it will continue for another year, still financially supported by the City of Vaasa.

Last year, more than 100 students applied for an internship through the programme and the programme was able to offer internships to altogether 19 students in 15 different companies. Even though the programme was available for and promoted to companies in Ostrobothnian region, a word got around and inquiries came also from companies that are located in other parts of Finland.

The programme has been profitable for both the employers and the students. It became clear to the employers who took part in the project that there are highly educated and experienced international students in Vaasa, and they also realised that many qualified students are willing to stay in Finland after their studies. The students in their part found that the city of Vaasa and the Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences are working together to bring concrete solution to the integration issues the international students may be facing, says Jonathan Paquet, the Project Manager of the

Vaasa Internship Programme. “A first work experience opens doors for the students to stay in Finland and contribute to the Finnish society”, he continues. It is very difficult to find a job without previous experience and the students are very pleased that the city of Vaasa and the Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences are tackling this problem and concretely helping them to enter the local job market.

The companies that have been onboard with the internship programme are small or medium size companies and according to Mr Paquet it seems that the possibility of having an intern through this programme answers to certain needs that the companies have. The companies can explore new paths and get projects move forward without taking too many risks. Large amount of companies that had interns via this programme would actually like to have another intern in their company also this year, as the quality of the interns has been high.

Finnish companies, especially those that are in the field of export, can benefit very much by bringing a more international perspective to their company. In order to compete with the rest of the world, it is important to actually have first hand knowledge of the countries and the markets where the business would be entering. Many companies have had major difficulties when trying to open new markets without local knowledge. “Ostrobothnian economy is export oriented. The employers should be thinking in terms of projects and use local talents to increase their chances in staying competitive globally”, concludes Mr Paquet.

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The University of Vaasa leads to the future. Welcome aboard.

University of VaasaWolffi ntie 34, P.O. Box 700FI-65101 Vaasa, FinlandTel. +358 29 449 8000uva.fi /enuva.fi /en/for/alumni

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Tervahovi(The main building and main entrance)

Luotsi

Tritonia

Puuvillatalo

Fabriikki

Technobothnia

Konttori

Student Union HouseVaasa Summer University

City centre

Wolffintie

The Campus on Palosaari

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