Kaakkois-Suomen ammattikorkeakoulu (XAMK), South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences

Mission Statement

South-Easter Finland University of Applied Sciences focuses on promoting positive changes in the industrial structure of the province and the development of innovative, responsible industries in the region, as well as reinforcement of Kymenlaakso’s logistic position and management of changes in the population structure. The only independent higher education institution in the province, South-Easter Finland University of Applied Sciences focuses on high-quality education and RDI activities.

International Role

Xamk's Culture sector has a wide range of Erasmus university partners all over Europe. Student exchange and work placement as well as staff mobility from and to Xamk Culture sector are active. KyUAS Design has launched and organized a series of national design competitions for design students, called Modo. This competition has later on developed on to international level: Baltic Modo 2009, Media Modo 2010 and the latest: Euro Modo 2011. Students from partner universities have been active participants in these competitions. Joint seminars and workshops have been arranged during the competition processes. KyUAS Culture sector has also been active in EU projects like Leonardo projects (eg. IDE-EDI –project 2003-06, in which KUAS Design co-ordinated the project). With non-EU partners especially KUAS Media has been active with a Russian university partner with educational exchange and joint projects.

National Role

Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences is the only higher level educational institution in Kymenlaakso region and therefore its role in general and the role of KyUAS Culture sector especially for Kouvola region is fundamental. KyUAS offers some nationally unique and popular degree programme orientations in the design & media sector and the statistic figures like applicants per study places have been high during the recent years.

Main Focus

The Culture sector of Design and Media at South-Easter Finland University of Applied Sciences educates future professionals for the fields of design, media and restoration. We emphasise a visual and contextual approach in education, use of technology and development of the student’s communicative skills. Design and Media is a part of the faculty of International Business and Culture. Close cooperation and joint-projects with the Business unit promote entrepreneurial working methods. On practical, educational level it requires vocational product and service design projects in collaboration with companies. The degree is Bachelor of Culture and Arts, either in Design, Media Communication or Restoration.