The project called Cultural Diversity for Study Paths − Monikulttuuriset opintopolut in Finnish − is carried out by five higher education institutions (HEIs) in the regions of South Savo, North Savo and North Karelia. The aims include strengthening multicultural diversity in Finnish HEIs and promoting the study paths of underrepresented student groups, such as international students, immigrants and the Finnish Roma. The project is especially about enhancing educational equality and facilitating these student groups’ accessibility to studies and employment.
Xamk’s sub-programme and Work package 3
South-Eastern Finland UAS, Xamk, is responsible for the main project’s Work package 3 that focuses on increasing international students’ engagement in studies and providing them with better opportunities to network with South Savo employers. This work package especially targets international degree programme students at the start of their studies through the following activities:
- efficient communication and by strengthening the cooperation network of the project partner HEIs: The main stepping stone in achieving this has the working title of Kaikkien korkeakoulukierros (Round of five HEIs for all) that is carried out in cooperation with Karelia UAS in 2025 and where the partner HEIs get to know each other better.
- producing and piloting a course called Multicultural career skills in Finland: This course of 3 ECTS credits is under construction, first targeted to the students of Information Technology and will be piloted in the autumn 2024.
- studying the needs of South Savo employers and strengthening the networking opportunities between employers and the target group students: The first steps to accomplish this have already covered for example interviews of possible employers and planning an event called Idea afternoon, arranged in April 2024 together with Xamk’s Talent Boost project.
More information on the entire project of Cultural Diversity for Study Paths is available in Finnish on the project’s main website at monikulttuurisetopintopolut.fi.