BIP Interdisciplinary Sustainable Future
BIP Interdisciplinary Sustainable Future
#savoniaUAS
BIP Interdisciplinary Sustainable Future, 6 ECTS
BIP code: 2026-1-FI01-KA131-HED-000427613-5
Savonia Erasmus code: SF KUOPIO08
Key Objectives
The Winter School develops participants’ ability to address complex sustainability challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration, systems thinking, and evidence-based innovation. Students work in international teams to analyse real-world challenges, develop sustainable solutions, and evaluate their societal, environmental, and economic implications.
- Understand the foundations of sustainable development, climate change, and global sustainability goals.
- Apply systems thinking to analyse complex and uncertain VUCA challenges from multiple disciplinary perspectives.
- Use evidence-based approaches to identify, formulate, and solve sustainability-related problems.
- Co-create innovative and future-oriented solutions for communities, organisations, and industry in multidisciplinary and international teams.
- Critically evaluate and validate proposed solutions using sustainability criteria and stakeholder perspectives.
- Communicate and defend solutions effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences using digital and collaborative tools.
- Strengthen teamwork, intercultural collaboration, and professional networking skills in an international context.
Expected Learning Outcome
By the end of the Winter School, participants will have developed a validated sustainability-oriented solution to a real-world challenge and gained practical experience in interdisciplinary problem-solving, international collaboration, and sustainable innovation.
“Collaborate across disciplines and cultures to create innovative solutions for a sustainable future.”
The BIP at a Glance
On-site Intensive Week 25-29 January 2027
Monday, 25 January | Understanding the Challenge
Tuesday, 26 January | Field-based Challenge Exploration (Challenge provider: Tahko Resort, explore the winter wonderland)
Wednesday, 27 January | From Problems to Sustainable Solutions
Thursday, 28 January | Validation and Impact Assessment
Friday, 29 January | Final Presentations, Reflection and Closing
Online Sessions
9 December at 13:00-15:00 (CET) | Kick-off & Team Formation
11 January at 13:00-16:00 (CET) | Systems Thinking & Challenge Analysis
5 February at 13:00-14:00 (CET): Closing meeting
Please note that attendance is mandatory for all online sessions and the on-site week
Who Can Participate?
- Open to participants from all academic disciplines.
- Bachelor’s and master’s students are welcome. Please note that the programme content and learning activities are designed at master’s level.
- A maximum of 20 participant places are available.
Student Nominations
- Deadline for nominations and confirmation of participation: 1 December 2026.
- Once your institution has identified its nominees, please contact nina.huotari@savonia.fi to receive the detailed nomination table and learning agreement information.
- Note: Nominations should come from each university, not from individual students
Places are limited, apply soon.
Contact us
Further information related to course content
Pia Viklund
Teacher in Charge
Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Microkatu 1, Kuopio, Finland
pia.viklund@savonia.fi
Mobility Process & practical issues
Mobility Services
Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Microkatu 1, Kuopio, Finland
mobility@savonia.fi
Practical information
You can find some practical tips here:
Accommodation
You may ask directly if they offer student discounts for students from outside Finland:
You are also free to choose accommodation elsewhere if you prefer something else:
https://www.booking.com/
https://www.airbnb.com/
Savonia Microkatu campus can be reached by local buses:
https://www.savonia.fi/en/savonia-uas/campuses/visit-us/
Finances
Joining the intensive course is free of charge for the elected students of Savonia’s partner universities. However, you must take care of your own living expenses. Basic student lunch at the campus restaurant is 2,95€, including a variety of salads, a hot meal, bread, and one glass of milk/juice/home-made beer (water not limited).
Ask your home university about the possibility to get an Erasmus+ grant to cover your travel and housing expenses.
How to arrive to Kuopio
The intensive week is arranged at Savonia UAS Microkatu campus (Microkatu 1) in Kuopio. The distance between Helsinki and Kuopio is 400 km.
You can travel to Kuopio by plane, bus or train. Bus ticket (one way) costs approx. 15 -30 €. Please check the timetables at: http://www.matkahuolto.fi/en
- Busses are leaving from Helsinki airport and from city center bus station (Kamppi).
- Train ticket (one way) costs approx. 25-45 €. Please check the timetables at: http://www.vr.fi/en/. Trains are leaving from the Helsinki city center or Helsinki airport.
- Finnair flies to Kuopio several times a day and from Helsinki. Ticket prices vary normally (one way) from 100 to 200 €. More info at: http://www.finnair.fi
From Kuopio airport you can either take a taxi (e.g. https://taksi1.fi/) or a local bus to Kuopio city center. The bus between the city center and airport operates on weekdays (Mon-Fri) only.
Images from around Kuopio and of Puijo tower
Savonia Kuopio Campus