Eu4Dual

A Word from Savonia on EU4Dual

At Savonia, we believe that higher education must be developed in close cooperation with working life. EU4Dual gives us a strong European framework to take this work forward, together with like-minded partners.

EU4Dual brings together universities that share a common strength: a strong, practical connection to industry partners and local businesses. For Savonia, this is not a new direction, but a deliberate strengthening of what already defines us.

“We have always worked closely with industry partners and local businesses — now we are taking that collaboration even further.”
Mervi Vidgrén, President and CEO

Through this alliance, that connection becomes deeper, more structured, and more international. Students gain access to new kinds of opportunities — from mobility and joint programmes to project-based learning at a wider range of real working environments across Europe. Their opportunities are expanding and supporting their professional growth and preparedness for working life.

Equally as important, companies are more than external stakeholders. They are part of the ecosystem — shaping education, contributing to research and innovation, and benefiting directly from new knowledge and talent. This creates tangible impact: stronger skills, closer collaboration, and increased competitiveness for our region.

“The EU4Dual concept is about bringing universities together with the industry and that is also the way that we can create the most impactful outcomes in terms of innovations and the benefits that we can bring to the society.”
Siamäk Naghian, Managing Director, Genelec Oy

EU4Dual also challenges us as an organisation. Close collaboration with European partners brings new perspectives, practices, and solutions into our work. This is already visible in the development of new study programmes, new forms of mobility, flexible learning opportunities, and stronger integration of RDI activities into education, and our partnerships with working life. This is long-term work development work that requires commitment from all parties — higher education, students, and partners alike.

“This is something we build together — strong partnerships are essential.”
Antti Iire, Director of International Affairs

For Savonia, EU4Dual strengthens our role as an impactful university of applied sciences — rooted in our region and actively connected to European development. Focused on learning that creates real value for people, organisations, and society.

Mervi Vidgrén
President and CEO, Savonia UAS
Antti Iire
Director of International Affairs, Savonia UAS
Virpi Laukkanen
Head of Education, Savonia UAS; Academic Director, EU4Dual

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Joint Dual Masters (JDM):

Savonia co-develops and delivers EU4Dual joint master programmes, built around dual education, combining academic learning with work-integrated practice across multiple countries. Programmes are accredited under the European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes, and students study in multicultural cohorts in at least two partner countries, with a minimum of 20% work-based learning. Currently planned offerings include 4 JDMs, within the following areas of focus, Science and Artificial Intelligence, Green Economy and Sustainable Future, Future of Work Transition, and Healthy Living and Well-being. They are to be launched in phases.

Explore Joint Masters

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Bachelor’s Double Degrees:

EU4Dual partners develop together work-life oriented bachelor’s double degrees. By completing one year in a partner country, the student can earn two degrees, one from each partner. The first iDual double degree has been created between Savonia and FH Joanneum in Austria in Tourism Management.

Explore Double Degrees

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Microcredentials (MC):

Lifelong learners and current bachelor’s/master’s students alike can utilise EU4Dual micro-credentials to acquire targeted skills in a flexible way. These MCs are designed in collaboration with industry partners to ensure their future oriented relevancy to fit the upskilling and reskilling needs of working life.

Explore MC Catalogue

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PhDs:

Savonia participates in planning EU4Dual’s joint industrial PhD programmes, which aim to support transnational, industry-embedded doctoral studies. This pathway integrates academic research with real-world company contexts, connecting Savonia’s applied RDI expertise with European industry partners.

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Savonia offers a wide range of mobility opportunities within the EU4Dual alliance, enabling students and staff to learn, teach, and collaborate internationally. Exchanges are an important learning pathway, 968 students and 373 staff members participating over 3 years, strengthening Savonia’s role in cross institutional cooperation.

Mobility is strongly embedded in the dual education model, allowing learners to apply their skills directly in authentic workplaces locally and abroad. This work-integrated approach connects academic studies with real industry needs and aligns closely with Savonia’s Dual 2.0 Model.

Explore Mobilities

Moreover, entrepreneurial minded students can develop their business idea via iDual entrepreneurship mobility in incubator centers in partner universities. For instance, by working with Savonia’s Business Center North Savo, students benefit from direct access to a regional innovation hub where multidisciplinary mentoring, expert guidance, and real commercialization support come together. Similar contexts are in offer throughout the alliance as well, allowing students to pick based on their areas of interest. Such environments enable students to advance prototypes, explore market opportunities, and build viable ventures—highlighting EU4Dual’s strong commitment to integrating entrepreneurship, applied learning, and international collaboration.

Explore iDual Entrepreneurships

“EU4Dual has created a unique work-based learning mobility program, in which partners offer internships to each other's students, for instance the iDual entrepreneurship mobility programme for entrepreneurial-minded students.”

Solja Ryhänen, International Coordinator

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Savonia also implements Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programs (BIPs) - short hybrid programmes combining online and in-person learning.

“I really enjoyed my BIP in Portalegre, the whole experience was more than I expected. It was not only interesting but also quite meaningful for me. From an educational point of view, I liked seeing how things are done in another country. It made me think about my own studies in a new way and gave me new ideas. I also felt that I actually learned by doing and discussing, not just listening, which made it more engaging.”

Henna Joenperä, Social Services Student

EU4Dual Winter School 2026 exemplified this BIP model, bringing together over 50 students from Finland, MU Spain, and ESTIA France, to collaborate with North Savo companies on real development challenges in a dynamic, project-based setting.

“Bravely getting involved in different projects and pilots is worth it. Through them, we learn about companies’ needs and get to carry out product development together.”

Jukka-Tapio Keränen, CEO, Tiimihenki

Our students have opportunities to attend various BIPs within the alliance partners and associate partners.

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Savonia’s Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) work within the EU4Dual alliance is closely aligned with the alliance’s three major thematic focus areas—known as the Grand Challenges: Future of Work, Green Economy, and Healthy Living. These themes guide the alliance’s research focus areas designed to foster cross European scientific collaboration and support high impact, societally relevant research. Within EU4Dual, researchers gain access to shared resources, thematic networks, and collaborative project work across partner universities.

Savonia’s applied RDI approach is fully aligned with EU4Dual’s emphasis on dual education—where academic and practical learning reinforce each other, and research contributes to sustainable societal and business development. This also connects EU‑level research efforts to regional development needs in North Savo. RDI activities often involve local companies and public organisations, ensuring that international expertise meets local priorities.

“Through EU4Dual, we have an extensive network of reliable partners across Europe, whom we naturally turn to for joint project preparation. With EU4Dual, our entire team in the field of wellbeing research has gained new international experience and possibilities to exchange thoughts and ideas.”

Mikko Ylilauri, Research and Development Manager, Wellbeing research field

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Take part as Savonia Staff and Teachers

Savonia staff and teachers can engage in EU4Dual through international collaboration, teaching cooperation, and RDI activities. The alliance strengthens expertise by enabling knowledge sharing across partner universities and connecting teaching more closely with work-life needs. You can participate in the development of joint dual masters, attend BIPs and staff weeks, contribute to research activities and work with colleagues across Europe.

“Everyone from Savonia and among our stakeholders who are interested in offering their expertise, gaining international networks and learning new things from our partners and industry experts is welcome to join the team!”

Nina Huotari, Head of Education, Savonia Master School

“All Savonia staff members have the opportunity to apply for short teacher or staff exchange at EU4Dual partner universities. You can also plan work-life oriented intensive courses or online studies for students together with our partners.”

Solja Ryhänen, International Coordinator

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Take part as Students

Savonia students can join EU4Dual through an array of opportunities such as BIPs, MCs, iDual semester abroad, iDual short programmes, iDual entrepreneurships, iDual double degree, and iDual traineeships. The alliance provides access to multicultural learning environments and study paths that blend academic learning with practical experience.

Explore iDual Opportunities

“I’m really happy I participated in the BIP at IPP in Portugal. I feel like I gained not only knowledge but also new experiences and confidence. I would definitely recommend this kind of opportunity to other students.”

Henna Joenperä, Social Services Student

Student Union SAVOTTA's members are Savonia's representatives at the EU4Dual Student Council, which is responsible for presenting the students' perspective and voices at the alliance.

“The Student Council comments on the contents of the work packages, participates in various projects and collaborates locally with your own university. It is important for us to strengthen student participation and develop a sense of community in the network.”

Tiina Landén, Chairperson of the SAVOTTA Executive Board

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Student Union SAVOTTA's Chairperson of the Executive Board Tiina Landén and Executive Director Juha Asikainen. At Savonia, Student Union SAVOTTA’s goal is to increase student awareness of the network's possibilities, organize meetings that support community and find new ways to get students involved in influencing.

We want to hear your thoughts! You can always contact us, so we can brainstorm ideas together.

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Take part as Industry Partners

Regional stakeholders can collaborate with Savonia and EU4Dual by participating in RDI projects and co-creation with students, which address real needs in the North Savo region. Companies and public organisations can benefit from fresh perspectives, problem-solving support, and access to EU4Dual’s RDI expertise. This cooperation provides new opportunities for stakeholders to strengthen the region’s competitiveness and connect North Savo to a wider European innovation network.

“Savonia has been very proactive in getting connected with the industry and with the public sector. I think the best way is just to keep developing that kind of relationship, so we can continuously work together with students so that they could have the possibility to combine their study programs with the practical work. That's the area that we have the most potential as we go forward as well.”

Siamäk Naghian, Managing Director, Genelec Oy

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Grand Challenge Experience Centre

We’re facing big questions about how we live, work, and care for our planet. At EU4Dual, we’ve built the Grand Challenge Experience Centre to show you what we’re doing—and how you can get involved.

Explore the Experience Centre

“This has been very educational journey - every day we learn something new about our partners and discover solutions to create something unique together.”

Nina Huotari, Head of Education, Savonia Master School

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“In my work, I have seen partnerships come and go, but in university alliances, partnerships are built on a permanent basis. It is rewarding to plan in-depth or repeating activities when you know that these partners are here to stay.”

Solja Ryhänen, International Coordinator

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Learn more:

eu4dual.education

Contact:

eu4dual@savonia.fi