Learning and research environments
Xamk’s versatile learning and research environments support practical teaching and work-oriented research and development. Our state-of-the-art facilities are an excellent platform for cooperation with companies and communities.
These environments combine theoretical learning and research with practical experiments, ensuring that we are able to meet the changing needs of working life and business.
Learn more about the learning and research environments on our campuses!
Our learning and research environments in Kotka
Ambulance simulator
Our ambulance simulator allows health and social services students to practise emergency situations during their studies. It can be used to simulate different steps of emergency care, either individually or together as larger processes. The simulator is not only for our degree programmes; it is also used in continuing training and research and development projects.
Mini hospital
Our health care students can practice nursing and treatment procedures in an up-to-date mini hospital on our Kotka campus.
The mini hospital contains, for example an inpatient ward and an operating room where students can practise skills needed for their work. We also have various well-equipped classrooms for nursing students.
Maritime simulation environment
The maritime simulation environment allows our students to practice nearly all maritime duties. The environment offers simulation possibilities for working in the deck, engine and electrical departments, maritime traffic control, emergency management and leadership, and cargo handling on ships and in ports.
In addition to simulators, the environment utilises augmented reality (virtual environments) as well as combined classroom and instructor facilities. The maritime simulation environment is used also for research and development purposes.
Merikarhu training ship
Merikarhu is a training ship owned by Ekami, The Joint Authority of Education of Kotka-Hamina Region. The training ship is used as a learning environment for maritime and logistics students at both Ekami and Xamk.
Oil spill response test basin
Xamk’s oil spill response test basin is designed for training and testing purposes. It comprises a major test basin and smaller test tanks that enable the use of various test oils in a controlled environment.
The test basin provides a unique outdoor environment to improve environmental emergency response capability. Training or testing the spill response techniques with real oil has not previously been possible on this scale in Finland. The basin enables the use of full-scale on-water containment and recovery equipment with various types of oils.
Concrete testing laboratory
We offer a wide range of concrete testing and quality assurance services to help you verify the quality properties of concrete.
In addition, we carry out accredited concrete core sampling and offer concrete mix design and manufacturing services, including solutions for concrete recipe optimisation or development.
Noise measurement laboratory
We provide noise measurement services to industry, municipalities and cities. Our accredited measurements objectively verify noise levels and enable you to comply with permit and licensing requirements.
We carry out noise level surveys, which are required, for example, when applying for environmental permits or to support planning work in zoning.
Emission measurement laboratory
We offer a comprehensive range of emission measurement services to help you reliably and objectively verify your emissions in various plants, facilities, and maritime transport to meet both permit or licensing requirements and development needs.
We also offer fuel testing services to determine calorific value, ash content and moisture.
Gamelab
Our game programming and game technology students carry out their project studies by working on authentic business assignments in the Gamelab learning environment. These computers and devices are used to develop and test games and their usability and to study various related methods.
VirtualLab
VirtualLab is a cybersecurity training environment that also conducts research and development in close cooperation with companies. In the VirtualLab learning environment, students can apply theory in practice in exercises focusing on information systems, information networks and administrative information security.
XamkVRLab
XamkVRLab is a space where game technologies can be utilised in various ways, such as developing virtual environments for education and learning purposes.
We already have several virtual learning environments, which we continuously develop further. In addition, we work on technologies such as digital twins.
Our learning and research environments in Kouvola
Future Experience Lab FUEL
Future Experience Lab FUEL is an open learning environment and a smart co-creation space in the Paja building on our Kouvola campus. FUEL can be used for multi-location online learning, workshops, and webinars, as well as both creating and diving into immersive experiences in space and metaverse.
Medusa studio
The Medusa studio is a virtual studio located on our Kouvola campus, offering our students world-class, high-level technology and training possibilities. Its virtual production technology not only allows for a new kind of production model but also promotes sustainable development by reducing the need for travel and physical staging.
Culture and arts workshop facilities
Our versatile culture and arts workshop facilities offer possibilities for design with different materials, such as textiles, wood, and metal. Our graphic design facilities also contain flatbed printers, and you can also find spaces for drawing and ceramics in our Art House.
Analysis laboratorio
BioSampo offers chemical and physical measurement techniques for studying the structure of materials. These include methods to study the size distribution of milling products and the chemical composition of organic materials.
With electron microscopy, we can produce images of a wide range of materials, such as the willow charcoal.
Material crushing and micronization
BioSampo has several methods suitable for processing materials. Our current equipment focuses on recycling aggregates into concrete mixes by crushing or micronisation to substitute cement.
The jaw crusher, roller crusher and ball mill can be used to make micron powders. For wet grinding, we have a cone crusher for soft and fibrous materials. The cutting mill is suitable for soft materials such as fabrics and biochar. We can sieve powders into different fractions.
In our analytical laboratory section, you can find a particle size analyzer that allows us to determine the size distribution of the grinding products.
Pyrolysis facilities
Pyrolysis, also called dry distillation, is a method in which material is heated in an inert or almost inert atmosphere. The production of biochar and the development of pyrolysis processes are some of BioSampo’s core competences.
We do pyrolysis with five different retorts, each for different purpose, with temperatures ranging from 300 to 2800 °C. For an inert atmosphere, we can use vacuum, nitrogen or argon gasses. We are able to make physically activated carbons with carbon dioxide flow.
Xamk FoodLab
Xamk FoodLab is a development and teaching environment for the food industry located in Kouvola. Its research, testing and product development facilities are used by food technology students as well as food companies.
These modern facilities include a product development kitchen, a process hall similar to a food factory, and laboratory facilities for food chemistry and microbiology.
Our learning and research environments in Mikkeli
Future Experience Lab FUEL
Future Experience Lab FUEL is an open learning environment and a smart co-creating space located in the D-building on our Mikkeli campus. FUEL can be used for multi-location online learning, workshops and webinars.
Training falicities for clinic and reception work
Our nursing students can practice maternity and child health clinic work in a training room which imitates a real-life clinic. These facilities are easily adaptable for various reception situations and school healthcare exercises.
Home training facilities for health and social services students
During their studies, our social services students can practice client interactions in our home training facilities. They can also practice different situations, exercises, and simulations in home nursing and gerontology.
Simulation facilities and care classrooms for social and health sector
We have several different simulation facilities on our Mikkeli campus. Simulations allow student to safely practice patient situations that are as close to real life as possible. The campus also has care classrooms that simulate various hospital units, such as children’s nursing unit, an operating theatre unit, and several different ward units.
HVAC technology laboratory
The HVAC technology laboratory is a teaching and research environment for building services engineering. The laboratory allows for studying, for example, industrial ventilation and energy solutions for housing.
Materials technology laboratory
The materials technology laboratory is a research environment specialising in the research, testing and design of material properties and structures. Here, we can study, for example, the durability of materials under difficult conditions.
The laboratory is utilised diversely in teaching and manufacturing technology in the form of product prototypes. The laboratory utilises the opportunities offered by digitalisation and simulation, among others.
Wood laboratory
The wood laboratory carries out research and product development projects aimed at the development of the mechanical forest industry as well as commissioned studies for the needs of companies, especially in relation to wood protection, modification, drying, and the mechanical and biological sustainability of wood materials.
We carry out research services in cooperation with Xamk’s other laboratories and national and international research organisations.
Electrical and automation engineering laboratory
Our electrical and automation engineering laboratories allow us to study the phenomena related to electricity and automation through real-life problems. These laboratories have very comprehensive measuring devices that are also available for students to use for extracurricular learning tasks and work.
Environmental engineering laboratory
A well-equipped environmental laboratory serving mainly as a teaching laboratory. Our environmental engineering studies include many courses with practical laboratory work, such as chemistry and microbiology, as well as environmental measurements and analysis. The laboratory also conducts active research and development activities.
Memory Lab
Memory Lab is a research environment that focuses on data refining and utilisation of artificial intelligence. With the supercomputer Hippu, we can use large language models, analyse large masses of data, and utilise modeling and simulation software.
Companies can utilise our computing capacity in development projects, and students are offered practical training and thesis opportunities related to analytics and application development.
Educational forests
Our forestry students study in places and environments where the work is actually done. Xamk has its own educational forest, but other nearby forests in the Mikkeli area also serve as learning environments. In fieldwork teaching at various forest sites, students can experience the theoretical knowledge they’ve learned in practice. They can also familiarise themselves with measuring instruments and forest and map applications.
RestoLab
Xamk’s RestoLab is a learning and development environment for service business, food services, and tourism. It offers virtual, game-based and VR-enabled learning environments that enable learning skills remotely in a flexible way.
Through a hybrid teaching model, students can develop their service business skills, such as customer interaction, leadership skills, and the development of food products and processes. RestoLab is not only a learning environment for education but also a place for developing and bringing together the skills of entrepreneurs in the region.
uXlab usability laboratory
uXlab is a usability laboratory where the usability of digital content can be tested. The laboratory has state-of-the-art technology for researching and testing user experience. Testing can be done on a computer and mobile devices.
The equipment is mobile, so testing can be carried out on the customer’s own premises if necessary. uXLab’s equipment includes an eye-tracking camera and a biometric sensor that senses the emotional state of the test subject.
Smart gym
The unique smart gym of the Active Life Lab research laboratory is located on the second floor of Saimaa Stadium in Mikkeli.
The smart gym consists of three areas: the gym, the gaming area, and the testing area. Our modern gym equipment can be combined with sports games that develop your balance, cognition, and reaction speed. In addition to various fitness tests, the equipment can be used to support rehabilitation.
Our learning and research environments in Savonlinna
Electronics industry product development laboratory
This laboratory offers product condition testing, X-ray examinations, and many other testing services. In addition, we offer services related to 3D modelling, 3D scanning and printing. We also offer companies electronics manufacturing services from prototypes to even larger series production, as well as training in electronics manufacturing.
FibreLab
In FibreLab, students can develop future bio-based product processes and solve process technology problems in a modern research environment.
FibreLab serves companies and partners through service sales, development projects, and student cooperation. The core of the FiberLab is the pilot hall, where pilot and factory-scale test runs can be conducted using wet pulp mass, water and/or other test materials.
Industrial wood construction and technical testing laboratory
Industrial-scale development and testing equipment and a piloting environment, serving companies through service sales, development projects and student cooperation.
We can determine technical performance as a whole rather than only for individual components, making it possible to optimise material usage and improve construction efficiency. Our accelerated weathering tests for test structures can be used to test and develop the structural physical properties of the structures.
Nursing classrooms
Our health and social services students can practise a wide range of patient and nursing situations in the on-campus nursing classrooms. They can also practise safe pharmacological treatment in the medicine room, closely simulating real-life situations. In addition to degree education, these classrooms are also utilised in continuing education.
Health and social services simulation facilities
Xamk’s nursing simulation facilities mimic authentic healthcare environments. It can be transformed into, for example, an operating room, a hospital ward or a reception room when needed.
Our home simulation facilities, on the other hand, provide an opportunity to practice home care situations, such as the care and rehabilitation of older adults or persons with a disability or chronic illness. In these facilities, students can safely practice special challenges of home care.
Functional capacity laboratory
Our functional capacity laboratory is a learning and research environment designed to assess, support and promote the functional capacity of individuals in different areas of life. The laboratory offers a wide range of opportunities for training in physiotherapy, rehabilitation and functional assessment.
In addition, the laboratory can enhance neurological patients’ functional capacity and perform various tests on athletes by analysing their walking, balance, and mobility. In addition to degree education, the facilities are also utilised in continuing education and research and development projects.
Practical rehabilition training facilities
These facilities are designed to support, for example, physiotherapy students’ diverse learning and training of practical skills. The facilities are suitable for, e.g., training in manual therapy techniques, such as massage and mobilisation. The focus is on supporting mobility, functional capacity, and rehabilitation.
Students also have the opportunity to practise rehabilitation methods using virtual reality; for example, balance training or patients’ functional capacity assessment can be carried out in simulated environments.
Physical education facilities
Our sports hall, gym, and functional capacity laboratory are learning environments where students can practise and demonstrate their skills in, for example, instruction, testing, and rehabilitation, as well as learning and teaching motor skills. These learning environments are used by students in fields such as health, social services, and physical education.
Come study at Xamk! With us, you get to learn, discover, experiment and research in modern and versatile environments. Our learning environments support learning and provide skills for working life. Our students also have the opportunity to participate in research and development activities, for example, through theses or internships.
Check out our available study options and discover the study place of your dreams!
Our modern research and development environments, comprehensive equipment, and the expertise of our specialists are the backbone of our research and development services. We offer co-funded research, commissioned research, and tailored development projects to help you.
Read more about our RDI services and choose the most suitable form of cooperation for you!
Our learning and research environments are at your disposal, whether for developing operations and processes, developing staff competence, or cooperating with students. Together, we can develop and enhance your business!
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