Ulysseus Satellite Project TeProD kicked off in Haaga-Helia

Project kick-off warmly welcomed project partners from Technical University of Košice (TUKE) from Slovakia, University of Ghana and University of Education Winneba from Ghana and International University Management from Namibia to Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, coordinator of the TeProD project.

Programme

During first day Haaga-Helia’s President Teemu Kokko, Director of School of Professional Teacher Education Crister Nyberg and Research Area Director Timo Kaski welcomed the partners to Finland and Haaga-Helia.

The week included collaborative consortium work under different tasks focusing on early results of local industry needs, and HEIs knowledge gap specification in the area of green transition and digitalization, for example.

Other parts of the programme included an orientation workshop to innovative use of AI and digital tools in education as well as TUKE’s presentation on project quality management. Industry viewpoint was brought by Climate Sequestration Lead, Kirsi Tiusanen, from St1 presenting Carbon farming and afforestation in arid zones project in Morocco.

Getting to know each other

During the week we heard also a presentation of Ulysseus European University and synergies between the satellite projects. In addition, Senior Lecturer David Mauffret presented Haaga-Helia’s teacher education programme in Pretoria, South-Africa for the partners with their presentation “Professional Teacher Education with Finnish touch”.

Most important thing in the kick-off was getting to know each other alongside orientating ourselves to project objectives and work packages.

– The project partners’ strong commitment was reflected in the size of the delegations, but also in efficient project work and taking responsibility. For many, Finland seemed exotic – maybe too exotic when we took them to the sauna and outdoor pool, says Altti Lagstedt, one of the project team members at Haaga-Helia.

Guest experiences

“One thing that makes TeProD unique is defining the concept of Twin Transition (Green transition & Digitalization) and open-minded approach for pedagogical innovations using AI based tools which builds the capacity building among project partners.”

“I respect the democratic approach and inclusive decision-making applied by the coordinating institution.”

“Everyone seems to be so quiet in Finland except me.” 

“I got to see snow for the very first time.”

About TeProD

The purpose of the TeProD project is to empower Higher Education teachers with knowledge and skills in green and digital transitions (twin transition). The project will achieve this through training, curriculum development, enhanced teaching methods, and AI-enhanced course content.

Specific objectives of the TeProD project are:

1. To increase the knowledge and skills of teachers and students in the pedagogical programs and teachers in other HE programs in the area of circular economy, green transition, digitalization, pedagogy and use of AI and digital tools in education
2. To align curricula with industry needs in the area of twin transition
3. To enhance collaboration and partnerships among higher education institutions and industry professionals in the area of twin transition.