On Demand Innovative Course for Regional Development

Abstract

Universities play a pivotal role in the social and economic development of their regions. They are a critical 'asset' of the region. Successful mobilisation of the resources of the university can have a disproportionately positive effect on their regional economies and achievement of comprehensive regional strategies. One of the most important ways in which a university can contribute to its region is through the 'translation' of its research and learning into a form that can be taken up by regional actors in the private and public sector. This paper shows how a local university works with a regional company to help to promote international service innovations. Students who are studying for the master programme in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences have a higher education degree and also have at least three years' work experiences. The master degree programmes focus on real life work development. Typical course assignments are real development tasks for the students' own employer. The paper shows how the processes by which university-generated knowledge are transferred into the local industrial community through the on demand course.