Last week at TAMK, we were honored to host colleagues from Rwanda Polytechnic and Rwanda College of Education, with whom we are collaborating through the HEP-TED project. Rwanda Polytechnic has introduced a Capstone project model that focuses on connecting students with industry by having them work on development projects that directly benefit working life.
Our discussions compared their model to our own approaches, such as internships, theses, and research and development (RDI) initiatives. The exchange of ideas about how these systems operate in practice, as well as their challenges and strengths, proved both insightful and thought-provoking. The open dialogue raised some great questions on both sides, offering new perspectives and sparking further reflection.
As part of the visit, we took our guests to Fastems, a company that has developed its collaboration with educational institutions to an impressive level. Their simulation of industrial operations is a prime example of a "real-world" learning environment. Remarkably, the equipment in this environment is shared by a local vocational school, a university of applied sciences, and a university. The machines are housed on the company’s premises, and Fastems maintains the environment. In this collaborative setup, educational institutions use the facilities for student learning and research, while the company gets to know potential interns and future employees. Fastems also trains its own customers there. This long-term partnership has been running successfully since 1997, exemplifying how education and industry can benefit each other.
After their time in Tampere, our Rwandan partners continued their journey to Jyväskylä and JAMK, where they explored cooperation between education and industry through projects like the BioEconomy platform and entrepreneurial learning initiatives focused on innovation. The conversation around industrial engagement will continue online and later in Rwanda. During that time, we’ll dive deeper into these topics, including strategies for encouraging more women to pursue technical education.
As we reflect on the collaborative efforts between TAMK and our partners in Rwanda, it’s clear that these exchanges are invaluable for driving innovation and enhancing education in both regions. Sharing best practices, learning from each other’s successes and challenges, and fostering long-term partnerships are key steps in preparing students for the future of work.
Curious about how JAMK experienced the recent visit and collaboration with the Rwandan partners? Check out our article detailing their perspective on the trip, the discussions that took place, and the innovative ideas that emerged.