Tampere University of Technology
International partnerships Minna Haka-Risku
Ilkka Virtanen
Strategy for partner universities
• The partners were chosen based on contacts, strategic goals and existing activities in the faculties
– Large survey in 2012
– Discussion with the rectorate and deans – Delegation visits to and from chosen partners
=> Analysis
– Strategic decision to boost the collaboration in certain research areas – Educational goals (Joint degrees, teachers’ cooperation)
– Exchange studies
• Pro-active approach to developing cooperation
12.5.2017
Haka-Risku, Virtanen 2
Partner Universities
University Focus of cooperation
Brno, Czech republic Broad: Benchmarking, educational cooperation, research cooperation, doctoral level double degree
Chalmers,Sweden Educational cooperation, teacher exchange
Brunel, Great Britain Broad: Benchmarking, joint networks, educational cooperation, research cooperation, doctoral level double degree
Kaist, South Korea Student and researcher exhange, research cooperation TU Gratz, Austria Educational cooperation, student and teacher exchange
Madrid UPM, Spain Student and researcher exhange, master level double degree
Partnership model
• Academic contact
• Administrative contact (in the Partnerships office)
• Seed funding instrument to boost international cooperation – joint call
– internal call
• Action plan and follow-up
– Yearly discussion of the actions between Vice Rectors and responsible officers in the partner universities
– Internal discussion sessions with active participants
• International brunch with sparkling wine for faculty members
12.5.2017
Haka-Risku, Virtanen 4
University strategic networks
ECIU, Consortium of innovative universities
• www.eciu.org
World technology universities (WTU)
• Network being established, inaugural conference took place in August 2016 Currently we are benchmarking new networks in Tampere New University context
Network model
• Focus on active and broad networks that support university’s strategic goals and research profile
• Decision to participate in a network is done by rectorate (top down)
• Coordinated nomination of representatives to each sub-group
• Internal network of representatives get together every two months to exchange information and ideas
• All the network materials are collected to a group drive and network actions are promoted in intranet
12.5.2017
Haka-Risku, Virtanen 6
Challenges
• How to activate all the departments?
- active communication - international brunch
- financial instruments (joint calls)
- delegations (paid by the Partnerships office)
• Resources?
- two members of the partnerships office focus on international cooperation
• Criticism on chosen partners and priorities?
- reasoning and support from the top management
• How to active all the relevant support functions towards the same goal (we do not have international office at TUT)?
- endless discussions and meetings
