Mechanical Engineering students from DkIT and their lecturer, Catherine McCloskey, participated in an Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) in North Karelia, Finland, focused on “Advancing Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainability in Sparsely Populated Areas.”

Prior to the in-person component of the programme, students engaged in virtual lectures in August, where they were introduced to their university partners, including forty-four international students and twelve lecturing staff from seven universities across Europe from a range of disciplines including engineering, business, law, finance and international commerce. Following the introductions, students were assigned to groups and began working on assessments. The virtual component was followed by a week-long, on-campus programme at Karelia University of Applied Sciences, Wärtsilä campus and Hyvärilä Youth and Holiday Centre, Nurmes.

During the week-long programme in Finland, students were tasked with solving business challenges presented by small local companies in the Nurmes region of North Karelia using “The Design Thinking Methodology.” The business partners were from a range of sectors such as Hyvärilä Sustainable Travelling, Idän Kehräämö Sustainable Wool Manufacturer, Pielispakari Bakery, Nurmes Bio Park and Nurmes Village Association. Students were supported by lecturing staff through a series of seminars and workshops on topics such as The Design Thinking Methodology, Innovation Methodologies, Sustainable Energy Solutions, Sustainable Development, Pricing, Investment Decision Making and Digital Marketing.

Students participated in industry visits, interviews, and seminars on various topics, such as innovation and sustainable development. The programme concluded with each group presenting their solutions to their assigned business and the awarding of the BIP Erasmus+ Certificates.

During the trip, students also enjoyed outdoor activities like visiting Koli National Park, white-water rafting, and a traditional Finnish sauna night. They were even treated to a surprise sighting of the Northern Lights.

The programme, supported by DkIT’s International Office, combines virtual and in-person learning, with students giving highly positive feedback. These programmes are an exciting relatively new offering of the Erasmus+ programme, offering participants the opportunity to partake in a short, intensive project, combining virtual and in-person classes.