1. Satu Alapiha (Ms.) Project Manager Seinäjoki, Finland

2. Seinäjoki, the centre of South Ostrobothnia

3. About my region - 56 000 inhabitants in the city and 140 000 in the region - from Seinäjoki - to Helsinki 350 km, (2 h 30 min by train, 45 min by plane) - to Tampere 180 km, (1 h 06 min by train)

4. MECHANICAL ENGINEERING – Machinery and metal processing – one of the most significant employers FOOD INDUSTRY – As a cluster the food industry employs in the whole province approximately 20 000 people. ICT: – for machine and device production – Intelligence is based on the strong software (especially embedded systems) and mega- tronic knowledge. HEALTH TECHNOLOGY – Health technology, for example telemedicine laboratory TRADE AND SERVICES – Seinäjoki region is the sixth largest market area in Finland. Main industries

5. + prevalent SME culture and entrepreneurial spirit + network type of organizations, flexible and change-oriented cooperation between the organizations + emphasis on building innovative environment, education and R&D (for example Epanet –professor network) + good quality of living - good services and possibilities to have different kind of hobbies - rural type of residency + excellent traffic connections Key benefits

6. - low level of internationalization in the area, homogenous - migration to the city center, peripheries depleting - youth employment increased - how to find new ways and models to growth? Key challenges

7. -Higher education: 5 universities and 1 university of applied sciences - University Consortium of Seinäjoki: -University of Tampere -University of Helsinki -University of Vaasa -Tampere University of Technology -Sibelius Academy -Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences Our educational situation at present

8. The amount of the population (over 15 years) having higher education 31.12.2007

9. Educational structure of population, higher education Lowest level Lower degree, candidate Acedemic degree, master Reseach/doctorate

10. Triple Helix –model in the cooperation of universities, companies and public sector Network type of higher educational model in which the partners among the universities and the university of applied sciences are: - the city of Seinäjoki - other municipalities in the area - public funds and other organizations supporting higher education - enterprises and econimic life - universities behind the university consortium Cooperation to the next innovative level Higher education in South Ostrobothnia 2015

11. A typical potential beneficiary Man/woman 35-50 years old Working permanently in some organization / company in the area Do not has degree in higher education Wants to develop him/herself and improve know-how for the working life

12. Unicreds for us To regenerate university services outside main campuses together with local/regional partners To strenghten and maintain the good networks and create new ones To maintain adequate amount and quality of the higher education in the area To create new and flexible policies and models To keep the quality of being flexible with the demands of the working life