The University of Oviedo and Xamk Signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Enhanced Cooperation

The MoU was signed by the Rector of the University of Oviedo, Prof Ángel Ignacio Villaverde, and the President and CEO of the South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk), Dr Heikki Saastamoinen. The signing of the MoU took place during the INGENIUM Senior School, hosted by the University of Oviedo from 17th-21st of February 2025, an event that brought together students, staff, and leaders from all 10 INGENIUM partner universities.

This agreement underscores the shared commitment of both universities, founding members of the INGENIUM Alliance of European Universities, to enhance inter-university partnerships. The MoU sets the stage for ambitious joint initiatives, particularly in research, doctoral studies, and staff and student mobility, aligning with the Alliance’s mission to drive innovation and collaboration across Europe.

–This MoU marks a pivotal moment in our journey within the INGENIUM Alliance. By joining forces with Xamk, we are not only fostering academic excellence but also creating a platform for cross-cultural exchange and innovation that will benefit our students, researchers, and communities for years to come, states Prof Jesús Daniel Santos Rodríguez, the Rector’s Delegate for International Alliances at the University of Oviedo while expressing enthusiasm for the agreement.

–European university collaboration has brought us together with an excellent partner, the University of Oviedo. Deepening our cooperation is not only significant in content but also a mutual joy. Our collaboration is a great demonstration of how many excellent, yet previously untapped opportunities European higher education institutions have with each other, says Heikki Saastamoinen.

Deepening of Cooperation

While the Memorandum of Understanding itself is a declaration of intent, it lays the groundwork for future agreements that will detail specific projects and funding arrangements. The MoU outlines a framework for cooperation that promises to enrich both institutions. Key areas of focus include creating pathways for Xamk staff and researchers to pursue advanced qualifications, such as research master’s and doctoral degrees, at the University of Oviedo. It also paves the way for joint supervision of master’s and doctoral students, and encourages research partnerships in fields of mutual interest, involving staff, departments, and schools, with an emphasis on supporting publicly and industry-funded projects.

–The main content is the deepening of academic cooperation, both in teaching and RDI activities. The agreement also enables joint supervision of dissertations and facilitates dissertation research for Xamk staff and stakeholders in collaboration with Oviedo, summarises Mika Ruponen, Director of Commercial and International Affairs at Xamk.

Xamk has a similar agreement with two other INGENIUM partners. Last year Joint Research Agreement was signed with Irish Munster Technological University (MTU) and also with French University of Rouen Normandy (URN).