EDITORIAL
Year 2020 has been significant in Central Finland, as well as in the whole world. The Bioeconomy campus of Saarijärvi, Finland has raised its ability to work as the developer of bioeconomy through various R&D bioeconomy projects and through its core actions. COVID-19 has made us realize how depended we are from agriculture, food production and other basic products.
Education provided by Bioeconomy Campus of Saarijärvi offers education and training for the basic areas of bioeconomy: agriculture and food production, clean air, clean water, and environment. The need of experts is increasing, and by that the level of expertise. Bioeconomy Campus is responding to this by offering high quality vocational education together with bachelor and master level studies in agriculture.[SA2] There are limitless options for using renewable natural resources, and for sure all opportunities have not been discovered yet! Finland has lots to teach for other countries about its bioeconomy expertise and innovations. Global markets are calling!
The Bioeconomy Campus has a staff and students of 600. They all will do their best to develop bioeconomy and this newsletter will tell their stories.
Mr. Pekka Janhonen, Education Manager at POKE Vocational College &
Ms. Minna Lappalainen, Director of JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Bioeconomy
LUKE, JAMK and POKE towards tighter cooperation!
LUKE (Natural Resources Institute Finland), JAMK University of Applied Sciences and POKE Vocational College are strengthening cooperation on the know-how of business, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the field of bioeconomy and circular economy.
FORESTRY TEACHING WITH POKE AND METSÄHALLITUS
POKE (vocational school of Northern Finland) and Metsähallitus (state owned forestry company) are creating a new forest teaching contract. Goal is to establish this new type of cooperation starting from 01.01.2021. Contract covers forest area of 699,5-hectare and allows POKE and the Institute of Bioeconomy to use state’s forest for teaching purpose. This ensures forestry and makes other educational functions possible.
LARGE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR THE ENTREPRENEURS OF RURAL CENTRAL FINLAND
Networking and peer-to-peer learning were the main goals when suitable digital solutions were tested in MataDigi-project (JAMK). Virtual barn visit, interactive workshops, and discussions with experts, experience sharing via video, were seen as functional methods. Biobord On Stage event presented best practices and tips for rural networking and peer-to-peer learning. Recording of the event is available on Biobord-platform: https://forum.biobord.eu/t/hubs-on-stage-how-to-develop-effective-peer-to-peer-learning-of-agriculture-entrepreneurs/1374/4
Horse management infos collected large audience in April. PÄMÄ-project in JAMK, Institute of Bioeconomy hosted multiple events for horse-entrepreneurs. For example, about breeding. Events were held online, and they were seen very useful.
LaTu-project in JAMK, Institute of Bioeconomy offers also vast amount of information about sheep business via webinars and Biobord discussion group. Biobord group has an open side for all parties interested. Welcome to join: https://forum.biobord.eu/c/lets-talk-about-sheep-business/70
BIOECONOMY BUSINESS ACCELERATOR IS HERE FOR ENTREPRENEURS
COVID-19 has had a large negative impact to the SMEs of whole world. Bioeconomy Business Accelerator BioPaavo has been offering their support to local businesses through out the COVID-spring. Weekly webinars have offered SMEs information about funding possibilities and other support methods, as well as summer job information for young people. BioPaavo has their own open discussion group on Biobord and they will soon launch an international topic there. Share your ideas and join the discussion!
ASTROLOGISTS WANTED!
Apply for UAS studies in Agriculture. Applications period 02.09. – 16.09.2020. (Note that Degree programmes are offered in Finnish, but we also offer exchange studies). JAMK Institute of Bioeconomy offers both Bachelor and Master level Degree programmes in Agriculture. https://www.jamk.fi/en/Education/Natural-Resources/
5G IN AGRICULTURE
JAMK, Institute of Bioeconomy and BioPaavo project hosted last week a 5G in Agriculture workshop in Saarijärvi, Finland. Workshop attracted more than 40 people and gave multiple sights into development of a 5G test environment serving needs of agriculture entrepreneurs, research, education, and other stakeholders. Common work continues. Should you be interested in taking part of the development of rural 5G test environment, please contact project manager Merja Rehn (merja.rehn@jamk.fi).
WELCOME TO GREEN TARVAALA-DAY!
Tarvaala Campus of Bioeconomy is hosting annual open doors-day with Green Tarvaala -theme. Day will include local food market and local entrepreneurs are there to present their businesses. Green Tarvaala will take place 11.09.2020 in Saarijärvi, Tarvaala campus.
Happy summer holidays!
Wishes Bioeconomy Campus, Saarijärvi, Finland