Welcome to Tampere for an inspiring, collaborative and future-focused International Staff Development Week! Key themes include RDI metaverse, use of AI in teaching and learning, modular higher education models, COIL planning, as well as innovation pedagogy. You will also learn about support services for international students and share best practices with international office personnel from across Europe.
Please note that the pre-meeting for the Staff Week is organized online on 18.2.2026 at 15.00 (CET).
Program
Monday
- Registration (morning)
- Opening Ceremony
- What is SPRINT Innovation Festival all about (Tutta Tanttari, TAMK)
- Excellence HUB: Wellness Technologies and Services (Piritta Ihamäki & Nina Smolander, TAMK)
Tuesday
- AI in Teaching and Higher Education Practices (Ville Palkinen & Mikko Turunen, TAMK)
- Micro‑credentials and Open Badges: Model for Modular Higher Education (Sanna Brauer & Toni Leander, TAMK)
- Evening Get-Together at Paidia Hall, Nokia Arena
Wednesday and Thursday
Choose from one of four specialized tracks:
Track 1: COIL (Reinout Klamer, THUAS)
Hands-on workshop designed for lecturers who are ready to develop and implement their COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) projects within UNINOVIS.
Track 2: AI & RDI (Pirita Ihamäki and Mikko Turunen, TAMK)
Learn about RDI metaverse and innovation ecosystems and plan AI-related joint projects within UNINOVIS.
Track 3: International Office (Krista Merikoski, TAMK)
Learn about student wellbeing, the Parvi support model, perspectives on international students, flexible/virtual mobility, the KOHTA project, and International Office best practices (inc. a hosted lunch).
Track 4: SPRINT (Tutta Tanttari, TAMK)
Theme for this year's SPRINT Innovation Festival is Building a Humane and Sustainable Future. Join SPRINT Grand Tour, where experts open the concept and history of the festival. Track also includes interesting keynotes, observing teamwork sessions and attending the final student pitching session on Friday.
Friday
- SPRINT pitching session, where multidisciplinary student teams present their ideas to experts from different organizations (Advisory Board)
- Lunch and time for personal meetings (afternoon)
Special Event
HOX! No trip to Finland is complete without a sauna experience. Join us for an informal sauna evening on Wednesday at Flou Sauna Raft. Prior registration is required.
Registration
Participation requires registration via the link below. Don't miss this opportunity to develop your skills, connect with UNINOVIS colleagues, and experience the energy of international collaboration in beautiful Tampere, Finland.