1000 students from Turku University of Applied Sciences develop sustainable development solutions for organisations in Turku

In a new joint project between Turku University of Applied Sciences and the City of Turku, students are solving sustainability problems in companies and other organisations.

The new course, which starts on 8 October, will see a total of 1000 Turku University of Applied Sciences students in 120 different teams carry out sustainable development assignments for companies and other organisations in the region.

Around 50 early childhood education centres in Turku are involved, and more than 60 sustainability projects are being carried out in more than 60 companies. The companies involved include Turku Energia, Sweco, Sandvik, Lounais-Suomen Jätehuolto, Vamos and FC Inter Turku.

The aim is to make organisations more sustainable or to solve concrete problems related to sustainable development. Participating organisations support the green transition and the development of students’ skills. At the same time, they will benefit from the fresh perspectives and inputs of students in developing their activities.

Iris Kriikkula, Project Manager at the City of Turku’s Green Transition, stresses the importance of cooperation:

“Cooperation between businesses and students is key to building a sustainable future. Turku’s carbon neutrality target is an ambitious one, and achieving it will require a joint effort from different actors. The project course brings businesses and young professionals together to tackle real challenges – this is the kind of interaction that will take us forward in a tangible way.”

“The course strengthens students’ knowledge of sustainable development and their project and teamwork skills in multidisciplinary groups. In assignments from companies and organisations, students learn to apply the principles of sustainable development in practice and understand the importance of responsibility in working life”, says Jonna Heikkilä, lecturer and project manager at Turku University of Applied Sciences.

The Sustis course, implemented in cooperation with the City of Turku, is compulsory for all second-year students in the Sectors of Engineering, ICT and Industrial Engineering and Business at Turku University of Applied Sciences. The projects will be implemented during the end of 2025.

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