# European Policy Statement - Savonia AMK

> European Policy Statement of the Savonia University of Applied Sciences

## Vision and Strategic Goals
The vision of Savonia University of Applied Sciences is to be the most responsibly influential university in Finland by 2030, where every student is an individual and where the culture of competence is built on the basis of strong networking and sharing expertise. Savonia aims at actively utilizing the expertise of its partnership network and shares its own expertise with the partners.

Savonia’s strategic goal is to offer education in a diverse and flexible way. The pedagogical starting point is the diverse combination of high-quality and work-related education and research and development (model called OIS 3.0). In work-related education, students’ motivation and commitment to studies are emphasised. The diverse virtual and physical environments on Savonia’s campuses and in the premises of network partners both at home and abroad integrate theory and practice extensively and interestingly into the learning process of the students and to organisational development.

## Internationalisation Strategy
Internationalisation is one of the selected strategic development areas in Savonia’s strategy for 2021–2024. Savonia implements the internationalisation programme of the common national vision of the higher education institutions of Finland. International cooperation develops operations and increases the effectiveness of education, RDI, and business. 

Key objectives include:
* Increasing English degree programme offerings by 2030.
* Promoting educational and work-based immigration by developing flexible degree and lifelong learning pathways.
* Developing services to support the integration and employment of international students.
* Improving international competences of students and staff through virtual mobility and professional development.
* Ensuring every graduate has the ability to work internationally and in a global context.

## Human Security and Sustainable Development
Savonia’s strategy is based on a global framework in which Human Security connects different types of global challenges from a human well-being point of view. This crosscutting theme is implemented in all study fields so that students recognise human security and sustainable development as part of their expertise and global responsibility.

## Participation in the Erasmus Programme
Participation in the Erasmus programme supports the achievement of these goals and enables activities that would not be possible otherwise. The main functions of the programme for Savonia are the mobility of students and staff, and participation in projects to develop education with European partners. Mobility activities are carried out following European standards, including the principles of the ECTS.

### Student Mobility
The objective of student mobility is to develop professional, cultural, and linguistic abilities. Savonia aims to:
* Provide equal and high-quality opportunities for all degree students.
* Develop blended mobility and virtual exchanges across all study fields.
* Increase incoming and outgoing mobility, with a target that 50% of all students participate in international mobility activities (including blended and virtual) by 2024.

### Staff Mobility
The goal is to increase the number of teachers and staff members who develop their expertise abroad and share their skills at partner institutions. Savonia aims to increase staff participation in international mobility from 30% (in 2019) to 50% by 2024.

## Governance and Quality Assurance
The maintenance of mobility cooperation is the responsibility of designated international coordinators who act according to mutual institutional quality guidelines. These guidelines, alongside close cooperation between departments and centralised international services, ensure that practices—including bilateral inter-institutional agreements—are consistent and comply with the requirements of the Erasmus Charter.

## RDI and Strategic Partnerships
Active international partnerships enable effective Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) activities. Savonia views Erasmus+ cooperation projects as vital for increasing the transfer of knowledge. 

Strategic initiatives include:
* **Master School:** Developing new graduate degree programmes and exploring joint Erasmus Mundus Master’s programmes.
* **European Universities Initiative:** Creating a human security-themed university coalition to produce joint study programmes with vast international impact.
* **Policy Development:** Engaging in international policy development projects to solve issues related to human security and higher education structure.
* **Talent Attraction:** Co-creating competitive joint degrees to attract global talent and boost regional vitality and multiculturalism.