The teacher of field courses guides students into practical work life

Jauke Buijs, who recently joined the Master's Programme in Technologies for Sustainable Use of Renewable Resources as a University Instructor, is responsible for coordinating the field courses. He shares insights into the opportunities these courses offer students.
Can you tell us about yourself, Jauke Buijs?

After graduating from Wageningen University with a master’s degree in food technology, I started working in the food industry for the large Nordic dairy cooperative Arla Foods. Over the course of more than ten years, I have worked in various roles across different sectors of the food industry. During these years I gained valuable experience how projects are executed, how teams and businesses operate, how challenges are addressed, and how strategic investments are made. Since 2024, I had the opportunity to share these experiences as a Lecturer at the Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, where I contributed to several project-based courses that connect students directly with real-world challenges. 

At the core of my approach is a drive to make tomorrow better than today, bringing theory into practice and work together as a team to achieve greater results.
What will you be teaching in the master’s programme?

I will be responsible for coordinating the field trips within the course STE‑101 Finnish Renewable Resources and Sustainability: Theory and Practice. These field trips take place in the Satakunta region and are designed to inspire students and deepen their understanding of how sustainable technologies are applied in industry, as well as what innovations are needed to advance sustainable practices.

Secondly, I will be responsible for STE-202 Hands-on Projects for Sustainable Technological Solutions. During this hands-on course students get the opportunity to bring theory into practice and work on projects in cooperation with industry.  
What kind of learning experiences do you hope to create for students?

Working together with companies and for companies requires certain skills that are not being taught in course books. This degree program offers a unique opportunity to discover what these skills are and subsequently, what is needed to solve pressing problems and assignments that industries are facing with improving their sustainability footprint. I hope to bring a positive, creative attitude that students can use to develop the best possible solutions.
What practical advantages do the studies and field courses provide for students in this programme?

When progressing on the career ladder often experience matters and shows or validates that a person is capable of handling certain responsibilities. In this program field courses bring such experiences and allow students to better understand what is happening in industry, how to handle and possibly solve industry challenges and connect with industry partners that might be useful to one’s own career path.