Our regional impact in Kotka
For several consecutive years, Xamk has been selected as the best university of applied sciences in Finland. We have an excellent reputation that supports not only our campus cities but also the entire region. Our students are visible in many ways in the cityscape and enliven the atmosphere.
Education, research, and development create success.
Direct vitality impacts
The Kotka area experiences direct vitality impacts, including Xamk’s employment effect, with a steadily growing number of staff and paid taxes. Additionally, Xamk’s purchases and investments have a significant indirect impact on employment in the Kotka area and the purchasing power of the employed.
The impact of the university of applied sciences is also assessed based on the attractiveness of degree programs, the employment-promoting effect of education, business-renewing education, and research, development, and innovation (RDI) activities.
Xamk renews the business world
We have close connections with significant employers in Kymenlaakso, and our role as a source of highly educated workforce in the region is undeniable.
Degree programs bring a large number of new students to Kotka every year. In 2023, there were nearly 2,100 first-choice applicants to Kotka, 63% of whom were from outside Xamk’s operating area.
More than 500 new professionals graduate annually from our Kotka campus in various fields, and their employment rate is very high. Some also remain in the region: one year after graduation, half of the degree holders report their residence as Kymenlaakso.
A significant number of IT engineers, social workers, and nurses who graduated from Xamk find employment in Kotka, as well as business and construction engineering professionals. The degrees meet the needs of the future job market, and students can also choose an entrepreneurial path in their studies.
Fields of study
- Maritime and Logistics
- Gaming and ICT
- Social Services
- Technology
- Health and Rehabilitation
Degree programs
- Bachelor’s programs 14
- Master’s programs 5
- Graduates 504, of which
- Bachelor’s Degrees 412
- Master’s Degrees 92
Coming in 2024
New Master’s online programs will begin in Kotka, with teaching conducted in Kotka: Project Management in Process Automation and Resilient Social and Health Care.
Applied development with RDI expertise
Xamk’s applied research and development work is the most multidisciplinary and extensive among Finnish universities of applied sciences. The research is directly aimed at solving problems and developing the operations of companies and public organizations in the region.
Through its RDI activities, Xamk builds the region’s future success factors and supports the green transition. The collaboration creates jobs, innovations, and new entrepreneurship in the Kotka area.
Three of Xamk’s research units operate in Kotka: KymiLabs, providing emission measurement, CE marking, and concrete testing services; North European Logistics Institute (NELI); and Xentre, a research and training unit for entrepreneurship and innovations.
We develop maritime safety
The new campus being built in Kotka’s Kantasatama will improve the conditions for education, RDI activities, and business cooperation. A special development area is Europe’s first safety training, education, and testing environment for port logistics. The Safety Park enables training in both real and virtual environments. The area is being developed with the city of Kotka, local companies, organizations, and authorities.
Advancing the green transition through concrete construction and emission measurements
By developing concrete construction and emission measurements, KymiLabs in Kotka promotes the circular economy in construction, especially through concrete research. The concrete testing and emission measurement laboratory specializes in concrete strength and frost resistance tests, as well as industrial and marine emission measurements. The clientele includes Finland’s leading concrete and cement manufacturers, many process industry companies, several power and district heating companies, and shipping companies.
NELI develops long-distance unmanned flight operations
At the core of the activities of the North European Logistics Institute (NELI) is future air traffic. Research areas include aviation digitalization, electric aviation, drones and drone logistics, and airspace management. Collaboration with local airports, state research institutes, and other higher education institutions is close. The unit’s research areas also include boat tourism and the energy efficiency of small marinas. The cross-cutting theme is low emissions.
Support for entrepreneurship through education and expert services
The changing business environment needs entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial thinking. The Xentre Research and Training Unit for Entrepreneurship and Innovations increases regional vitality by offering expert services, student collaboration, and cooperation and experimentation environments for companies. Promoting growth entrepreneurship and new business ventures is at the core of our operations.
Learn more about our regional impact!
Sources: Vipunen – Education Administration’s Statistics Service and Xamk’s applicant, student, HR, financial, and RDI services
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