Mission, vision and values

Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu, University of Applied Sciences (VAMK) educates international experts to serve the commercial and industrial life. VAMK is a multilingual and international higher education institution, which offers education in three languages as well as research, development and innovation activities integrated into the teaching of technology, business economics, tourism, and health care and social services.

VAMK offers education in the form of specialisation studies and degree programmes leading to basic degrees and polytechnic Master's degrees. An essential part of the studies is cooperation with the working life.

Our vision is

to be the most energetic, attractive and international education and research centre of professional experts in western Finland.

Our mission is

to create future know-how in cooperation with the working life in western Finland.

Our areas of focus are

  • Energy technology: One of the strengths of the business life in Vaasa is energy technology, whose expertise is present in all degree programmes at Vaasa University of Applied Sciences. Energy core competences for the degree programmes are developed according to the competence-based curriculum. Information on the needs of the energy industry is collected with the help of department-specific advisory councils and feedback from the working life. Also, the statistical numbers of each degree programme are monitored.
  • Welfare expertise: Cooperation is done with regional actors, and networking possibilities with new ones are explored. As a part of the Vaasa Waterfront Campus project, collaboration with Novia University of Applied Sciences is strengthened with joint premises arrangements at Medibothnia. Work practice procedures are being developed, and research on welfare entrepreneurship is promoted. Continuing education on welfare knowledge is given both locally and nationally.
  • Tourism: Vaasa is a significant tourist city, and VAMK is in close cooperation with tourism enterprises. Knowledge of tourism naturally integrates also business competence into the teaching at VAMK.

Our profile is built around

  • Internationalisation and
  • Entrepreneurship and business competence

which are integrated into all education, research, development and innovation activities. Our profile is based on meeting the needs of the working life in the Vaasa region.

Our values include

  • Customer orientation: We anticipate and know the needs and expectations of customers, and we meet those needs and expectations through flexible, high-quality operations.
  • Sustainable development: We bring additional value to western Finland by developing our operations persistently and innovatively and by respecting environmental values.
  • Future-orientated expertise: We provide the working life with experts and ensure our own know-how and expertise through continuous learning.
  • Respect: We build mutual trust by respecting everyone as a human being, and we openly give positive and constructive feedback.