South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences – Xamk

South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences – Xamk – is an institute of higher education which focuses on wellbeing, technology and creative industries.

Xamk is the 5th largest university of applied sciences in Finland. We provide education in eight fields of study, participate in research and development and provide services to the businesses and residents of the area. There are campuses in four towns: Kotka, Kouvola, Mikkeli and Savonlinna.

International cooperation is an important part of our profile, with more than 350 partner educational institutions around the globe.

Xamk is a strong implementer of RDI activities and it is currently Finland’s largest UAS in the field of RDI, based on external financing alone. There are over 170 ongoing projects annually, in which our experts find, test and develop new products and services, or conduct research for future needs.

International activities promote students’ ability to work in international and multicultural environments. We receive approximately 600 international students each year, representing over 60 countries. Students can study a whole degree or parts of them in English. Five bachelor’s degree programmes and three master’s degree programmes are taught fully in English. Xamk’s international networks provide access to studies and work placements abroad. Xamk has approximately 350 partner schools.

Facts about Xamk:
9480 students
850 employees
1700 graduates per year
74 Degree Programmes
4 campuses
350 partner institutions around the world
Second largest UAS in Finland in terms of budget; annual turnover EUR 70 million
63 million euros total volume of research funding
15 million euros external RDI funding
Versatile services
president and CEO Heikki Saastamoinen

Bio and Circular Economy Centre - XAMK BioSampo

TRAINING AND APPLIED RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF ENERGY
The research Centre BioSampo moved to the South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences from Kouvola Region Vocational College (KSAO) in August 2017. A new research unit strengthens the development of polytechnic education in the fields of energy, forest, environment and energy in RDI activities.

BioSampo’s activities have been developed from a learning environment into that of applied research. Laboratory exercises are also provided for the students of the University of Applied Sciences, without forgetting the collaboration with the students of the vocational college.

DIGITAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND THE EXPANDONG FIELD OF RDI ACTIVITIES
BioSampo’s operations are more and more focused on the circular economy and e.g. finegrained wood materials and processes needed in their utilization. Slow pyrolysis plays a major role in BioSampo.

Smart grids and “Iot” remote access systems are the new operating environments. Decentralised energy production and the development of the CHP energy units and laboratory operations, as well as the use of electricity control and storage methods will enable the digital learning environment, as well as the enlargement of the RDI activities in BioSampo.

FRACTION TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CENTRE AS A PART OF BIOSAMPO
Xamk RDI activities are strongly expanding in south-eastern Finland and the activities of circular economy and energy are concentrating in the vicinity of BioSampo. An example of this is that fraction technology research centre became a part of BioSampo. In the fraction technology research centre, ashes from industry and power plants are treated. One of the next objectives is to micronize ash and charcoal.

Activities are being developed with external funding, therefore, funding for development is sought e.g. from the EU as well as from national and international sources. Partner networks are extended all the time.