In the first application round of TFK programme 27 educational cooperation projects were selected for funding
Finnish National Agency for Education granted in total 1 522 606 euros for 27 projects. Funding amount per project varies between 31 200 and 72 000 euros and project period is 1.8.2021-31.12.2023
In total 92 proposals were submitted, and the applied funding was in total 6 231 965 euros. Applications came almost equally from both universities and universities of applied sciences. 48 of the projects applied were coordinated by a university and 44 by a university of applied sciences. Altogether 32 Finnish HEIs were involved in the project proposals, 10 of which universities and 22 universities of applied sciences. Most of the Finnish HEIs submitted more than one proposal.
Most of the applications (34 projects) were targeted to cooperation with Russia. 22 applications were targeted to China and the rest to Southeast Asia (21) and India (15). The most common fields represented in the applications were engineering and engineering trades, business and administration and computing.
Selected projects will use virtuality, advance sustainability and develop the skills needed in work life
The call was open to all degree levels and disciplines. The primary assessment criteria was the quality of the project. The selected projects represent different fields, such as social and behavioural science, teacher training and education science, computing, environmental protection, life sciences and humanities. Selected projects include 11 projects targeted to Russia, 6 to China, 4 to India, 3 to Indonesia, 1 to Singapore and 2 to Vietnam.
Common themes in the selected projects are the use of technology and virtuality, sustainable development, solving social challenges and developing the skills of students to match the needs of work life. Projects aim to increase the quality of education through strengthening of cooperation and at the same time increase the attractiveness of Finnish higher education institutions. Learning is mutual between target countries and partners.
The selected projects include 6 Finnish universities of applied sciences and 9 universities and 53 HEIs from target countries.
Most projects combine different activities: common study modules, courses and intensive courses, development and implementation of digital/virtual teaching and mobility of students and staff between Finland and target country. Several projects included also collaboration with the world of work and curriculum collaboration.
The next TFK programme call will open in autumn 2021
The purpose of the Team Finland Knowledge programme is to create and strengthen cooperation between Finnish higher education institutions and the target regions and countries selected to the TFK network, and to design new operating models for cooperation. The programme funds educational cooperation between higher education institutions through cooperation and mobility projects.
The programme is open to all higher education institutions in Finland and in the target regions and countries of the programme which are China, India, Russia, Southern Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America.
In the next application round in 2022, cooperation will be funded with Southern Africa and Latin America. The call will be opened in autumn 2021.