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Global development

The University of Eastern Finland seeks solutions to global challenges through interdisciplinary research and education to build a sustainable future. Global South collaborations and partnerships are at the core of our global responsibility actions. We aim at enhancing sustainable development, promoting equality and reducing poverty, in alignment with the development policy of Finland and the EU, and with the United Nation’s sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Agenda 2030.

Learn more about our research groups and projects by keyword on UEF Connect.

The University of Eastern Finland is an active member of various networks that enhance development studies, development research and engagement in and with the Global South. These include the following:

The University of Eastern Finland participates in the Ministry of Education and Culture's internationalisation programme's global networks. 

Educase Platform

The University of Eastern Finland's 'Environmental Collaboration and Conflict Resolution Course Series and Teaching Network' (ECCRC) aims at co-creation of knowledge for environmental collaboration and conflict resolution in Finland and beyond, especially in Africa.

Partners include the University of Jyväskylä, Akordi Ltd. and the North Karelia Biosphere Reserve (Man and the Biosphere Programme UNESCO) in Finland, and Portland State University (US), the US National Policy Consensus Centre (US), the College of Business Education (Tanzania), Makerere University (Uganda) the Pan African Institute for Governance, Humanities and Social Sciences hosted at the University of Yaoundé II (Cameroon).

The Educase Platform is coordinated by Aalto University.

Finland-Africa Platform for Innovation (FAPI)

The University of Eastern Finland's project 'Social Enterprises for Innovations in Environmental Sustainability in Africa and Finland' (SES) aims to co-create social enterprises promoting innovations in educating rural communities and leaders on the circular economy, waste management and economic upscaling opportunities. The project seeks to address solid waste management (SWM) in sub-Saharan Africa thereby promoting, social justice, capacity, and sustainability through partnering with the local voluntary, community, industry and universities in Finland, Namibia, South Africa. Innovative pilots aimed at shifting the attitudes and behaviour of rural youth toward active participation in circular economy and waste management practices are to be developed for social justice outcomes. The project will leverage African social and cultural structures and Finnish experience and expertise in this field. Partners in the project include the University of Jyväskylä (Finland), the University of Namibia (Namibia) and the University of Venda (South Africa).

The University of Eastern Finland's project 'Finland-Lagos Recycling Culture Research and Development' (FLR-CRD) aims at strengthening recycling practices in Lagos, Nigeria. The project explores the complex systems and redesigns effective interventions aiming at sustainable circular economy solutions. 

FAPI is coordinated by the University of Turku.

Finnish-American Research and Innovation Accelerator (FARIA)

The University of Eastern Finland's project 'Sustainable Forest Bioeconomy: US-Finnish Collaboration for Research, Innovation, and Education' aims at building strong research, innovation and education networks between Finland and the United States in order to advance science and education in sustainable forest bioeconomy.

FARIA is cooordinated by Aalto University and the University of Helsinki.

Finnish India Consortia for Research and Education (FICORE)

The University of Eastern Finland's project 'Circular Economy Solutions for Microplastics' (CESMI) aims at studying microplastics and their introduction in circular economy plans. Fartners in the project include Tampere University (Finland) and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati and the Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad.

FICORE is coordinated by Aalto University.

Global Innovation Network for Teaching and Learning (GINTL)

The University of Eastern Finland's project 'Southern Africa- Finnish Teacher Education Development' (SAFTED) aims at strengthing research collaboration on teacher education in southern Africa and Finland. Partners include the University of Turku (Finland), the University of Namibia (Namibia) and Stadio Higher Education (South Africa).

The University of Eastern Finland's project 'Sino-Finnish Teacher Education and In-service Teacher Training' (SIFTED) aims at the co-development of joint courses and joint or double degree programmes with Chinese universities and also the design of non-degree courses in education for Chinese education specialists. Partners include Tampere University and Beijing Normal University.

GINTL Africa and China are coordinated by the University of Helsinki.

Southern African and Finnish Higher Education Institutions' Network for Health and Wellbeing (SAFINET)

The University of Eastern Finland's project 'Finland-Southern Africa Research and Educational Collaboration in Toxicology and Pharmacy' (FISATOP) aims to develop and strengthen research and educational activities in pharmacy and toxicology. Partners include the University of Oulu (Finland), Tshwane University of Technology (South Africa) and the University of Pretoria (South Africa).

The University of Eastern Finland's project 'Finland and Southern Africa Research and Educational Collaboration in Public Health and Nutrition' (FISA-PHN) aims to develop and strengthen research and educational activities in public health and nutrition through mutual exchange of expertise and experiences. Focuses include school meals research and development, and public health and nutrition education development. This collaborative endeavour includes staff and student mobility and capacity building of all the partner universities. Partners include Tampere University (Finland), University of Limpopo and Tshwane University of Technology (South Africa).

SAFINET is coordinated by Tampere University.

Finland-China Network in Food and Health Sciences (FCFH)

The University of Eastern Finland's project 'Food research and health connects' (FRESHNETS) includes a wide range of research and educational activities related to health impact of nutrition and food carried out in collaboration with Chinese and other Finnish Universities. The project aims to generate knowledge about the nutritional values and health impacts of food through research, enhance food safety and find novel sustainable food sources which can improve the issue of food security. In addition, capacity building of the involved universities will be emphasized. The most important aspect of FRESHNETS is collaboration – both national and international. The project plans to strengthen the existing collaborations in the respective research field between and within Finland and China and facilitate new ones.

FRESHNETS is part of the Finland-China Network in Food and Health Sciences, coordinated by the University of Turku.

 

Global development at UEF is addressed through an array of education programmes that integrate sustainability and international development at all academic levels.

Master's degree programmes

UEF-UNEP Course on MEAs

The University of Eastern Finland - United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Course on Multilateral Environmental Agreements is a high profile two week Course on MEAs, international environmental law-making and diplomacy. It is organised annually in cooperation of the University of Eastern Finland and United Nations Environment Programme, with a changing course venue and theme each year. Learn more about the course.

Doctoral programmes

Doctoral education at the University of Eastern Finland is offered by doctoral programmes within the UEF Doctoral School. Our doctoral programmes cover all scientific fields of the university, and all doctoral students complete their studies in one of the programmes.

Learn more about the doctoral education and our doctoral programmes.

UniPID virtual studies and DocNET

The Finnish University Partnership for International Development (UniPID) is a network of Finnish universities to advance universities' global responsibility and to strengthen their response to global challenges.

UniPID offers a variety of interdisciplinary studies related to global sustainable development. Learn more about UniPID virtual studies.

UniPID DocNET is the Finnish development research doctoral network. UniPID DocNET supports the interdisciplinary training and network of development researchers studying and working towards a doctoral degree in the UniPID member universities. Learn more about the UniPID DocNET.

Development research and projects

Development research and projects at the University of Eastern Finland addresses development challenges in the Global South through a multidisciplinary approach.

Learn more about our research groups and projects by keyword on UEF Connect.

 

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