# Addressing the ICT talent shortage in Eastern Finland – Unlocking the potential of international students - Savonia AMK

> Two of Savonia’s IT students talked to us about how they could benefit society with their knowledge and work experience.

## The Student Experience in Kuopio
Nhan Vo from Vietnam and Oluwatobi Ikuesan from Nigeria are currently studying in the Information Technology – Internet of Things (IoT) degree programme at Savonia. Both students were drawn to the region by the rapid advancement of technology in Europe and the quality of Finnish education.

They describe the academic environment as approachable, noting that there is little hierarchy between students and lecturers. While they feel welcomed by the local community, they highlight that there is still room for improvement regarding inclusivity and the integration of international talent into the local workforce.

## Bridging the Gap to Employment
Nhan and Oluwatobi emphasize that for Eastern Finland to compete globally, local companies must recognize the value of international students, who bring fresh ideas and an open mindset. They suggest that the region could better support students by:
* Creating more opportunities for cultural mingling.
* Providing practical internships in local businesses.
* Improving the quality of courses affected by language barriers.

Both students bring significant prior experience to their studies. Oluwatobi has a background as a graphic designer, while Nhan has foundational IT experience from his family's business. Nhan currently works remotely for a software company in Espoo, and both have clear goals for their future careers in research and development, smart cities, and healthcare.

## Addressing the Regional ICT Shortage
Northern Savo and North Karelia face a critical shortage of ICT professionals, which hinders industrial and service sector growth. The **Talent Hub Eastern Finland** project aims to bridge this gap by connecting international students with local employers.

Key findings from a survey of approximately 480 international students (including 100 IT students from Savonia and the University of Eastern Finland) as of October 2024:
* **Background:** Students come primarily from Asia and Africa.
* **Education:** 63% have already completed a bachelor’s degree.
* **Experience:** 36% have over five years of work experience, though only 25% have more than one year of experience in Finland.
* **Language:** While most possess advanced English proficiency, only 14% have intermediate-level Finnish skills.

## Educational Pathways
IT expertise in the region is cultivated through several programs:
* **Savonia:** Information Technology – Internet of Things, Mechanical Engineering, International Business, and Energy Engineering.
* **University of Eastern Finland (UEF):** Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Master’s in Digital Marketing and Analytics, and the doctoral programme in Science, Forestry and Technology.

## About Talent Hub Eastern Finland
Talent Hub Eastern Finland is a collaborative project involving UEF, Karelia, Savonia, Riveria, Sakky, and YSAO. The project focuses on:
* Helping international students integrate, build networks, and secure employment.
* Providing employers with tools for recruiting, onboarding, and adapting to international talent.

The project is co-funded by the European Union.