Turku UAS has increased its research and development activities the most among Finnish universities of applied sciences

Turku University of Applied Sciences has increased its funding for research, development and innovation (RDI) the most among Finnish universities of applied sciences. Turku University of Applied Sciences’ research and development work brings money and opportunities for the development of companies and other organisations in Southwest Finland.

The amount of funding increased by around 18% between 2023 and 2024. In total, Turku University of Applied Sciences received EUR 12 481 451 in external funding for RDI activities in 2024 (source: Vipunen, education administration’s reporting portal.)

“We were the most successful in the most demanding RDI funding of all, which is related to industrial cooperation. For example, Business Finland funding is important both for us and for our partner companies. The importance of research and development funding will become even more important in the future, when the basic funding for higher education institutions is cut,” says Juhani Soini, Vice Rector of Turku University of Applied Sciences.

Euros and applied research-based solutions for the region

Alongside teaching, applied research is a statutory basic task of universities of applied sciences. Turku University of Applied Sciences employs experts in 37 research groups, and more than 200 projects are carried out annually.

“The growth reflects the skills of our experts, the success of new international recruitments and the fact that the research and development work of the UAS brings euros to the development of the region and its companies and other organisations,” says Johanna Krappe, Head of RDI and Global Engagement at Turku UAS.

Projects starting in 2024 include the development of sustainable practices for shipbuilding with Meyer Turku Ltd (S4M Sustainable Material Management Maturity Model). The Southwest Finland Wellbeing Region is working with the Southwest Finland Wellbeing Region to research and support the mental health of people with cancer (Supporting the mental health of young adults diagnosed with cancer (MELODIC)), while the Urban Biodiversity Parks project is developing a biodiversity park in the Skanssi area with various partners.

Turku University of Applied Sciences cooperates with other universities of applied sciences on the west coast (Vaasa University of Applied Sciences, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, Yrkeshögskolan Novia and Centria University of Applied Sciences).

“Other West Coast universities of applied sciences have also managed to increase the amount of RDI funding. Cooperation plays an important role here,” Soini commented.

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