PhD@UP Tempus: Training and site visit took place on November 5 and 6, 2013 at the University of Vaasa, Finland
In the frame of work package four, which aims at institutional and capacity building, training on the topic of employability of PhD graduates and research funding was organized by the University of Vaasa at their premises. Considering that Finland is one of the leaders in Europe when it comes to applied research, the opportunity to learn from their experts and their best practice examples was welcomed by the whole Consortium. Presentations (which can be found on the project website) have been conducted by the respective experts from the University of Vaasa and from other institutions which were included in the training, thus partners from the University of Vaasa either from the industry or from other higher education institutions.
In the scope of the visit we had the opportunity to see on site how the cooperation between the university and industry is organised by visiting Technobothnia lab at the campus and by visiting the meat processing company Artia. The consortium was introduced to their operations and had the opportunity to discuss relevant issues regarding the employability of PhD graduates, the university-industry cooperation and the issue of applied research.
Very insightful was the visit to the University Consortium Seinäjoki which gathers at its campus five universities presented by their strongest units as well as different companies which provides great opportunity for cooperation and exchange of ideas.
During the training, the other participating partners presented experience from their universities regarding the employability of PhD students and Austrian Exchange Service provided the European overview on the matter. Interesting discussions followed each presentation and there was a fruitful exchange at the end of the training focusing particularly of the Kosovar context and possibilities for action in the area of university-industry cooperation in Prishtina and Kosovo in general.
Meeting in Vaasa gathered partners from the University of Graz, University of Prishtina, University of Granada, Austrian Exchange Service, Kosovo Accreditation Agency, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Kosovo, and World University Service.
We had the opportunity to enjoy the finish and international food at the food tasting organised in the lovely ambient of the restaurant Gustav Wasa at which also the rector has joined us.
We are very grateful to our hosts from the University of Vaasa for the fantastic organisation and great experience.
The agenda of the meeting is available here.
