International academic staff week in Finland: how to turn ideas into real impact
An International Week for lecturers and academic staff took place at Savonia University in Kuopio, Finland, bringing together higher education experts, lecturers and professionals from around the world. The event was enriched by participants from Europe and Central America, including Costa Rica, representing a wide range of fields such as engineering, business, health sciences, artificial intelligence, robotics, agriculture and communication.
Dr Živilė Juknevičienė, a lecturer at the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technologies of Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution, took part in the event. Over three intensive days, she participated in specialised workshops and training sessions dedicated to higher education and innovation. The topics discussed included entrepreneurship education and commercialisation in multidisciplinary teams, the application of digital tools in clinical practice processes, best practices in labour market-oriented learning, innovation, and lifelong learning strategies in the context of rapid change.
A central theme of the discussions was how the potential of knowledge and ideas generated in higher education can be transformed into real impact. Participants analysed practices from regional and international innovation programmes, including innovation sprints, start-up development processes, prototype creation, validation of customer needs, and collaboration with companies and public sector organisations.
Dr Ž. Juknevičienė presented an initiative of the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technologies at Kauno kolegija in which students processed surplus apple harvests and created real products by applying the principles of circularity, zero-waste production and co-creation.
The project was presented as an example of how theoretical competence can be combined with practical experience and the opportunities offered by regional and international ecosystems.
During the event, it was emphasised that competences and innovation grow through action, interdisciplinary initiatives and experience in real-life situations rather than through theoretical learning alone. This approach aims to create sustainable solutions oriented towards users’ needs and the regional and international context.
The International Academic Staff Week provided participants with a platform for exchange, sharing best practices and strengthening international connections. Such events encourage higher education institutions to implement innovative study and entrepreneurship programmes and to strengthen bridges between education, research, business and society.
