As Tampere University celebrates its centenary in 2025, the Excellence in Teaching and Pedagogical Development 2025 Award aims to highlight teaching-related activities that take into account multiculturalism and inclusivity, as well as global and ethical responsibility. In addition, the award criteria emphasised that the activities have promoted students’ international opportunities, student integration and cooperation skills.
Transport and logistics studies, which are the responsibility of Transport Research Centre Verne, are part of the degree programmes in Finnish and English at Tampere University. The studies can be completed as advanced studies in the degree programmes in Civil Engineering, Information and Knowledge Management and Industrial Engineering and Management and as elective studies in other degrees. In addition, studies are offered through the open university and as continuing education.
The award of the Excellence in Teaching and Pedagogical Development 2025 Award to Transport Research Centre Verne was justified inter alia as follows:
- In the studies, Finnish and international students work together, which enables interaction, sharing experiences, learning from each other and networking. The development of skills in working in multicultural operating environments is supported, for example, by highlighting factors related to cultural differences.
- The diversity of students is taken into account by offering alternative completion methods and flexible completion opportunities.
- Internationalisation at home and the opportunities for exchange studies help to create the ability to work in international work environments. The acceptance of studies completed during the exchange is supported.
- Students are offered opportunities to participate, for example, in consultant-like work and international research projects, which opens contacts with many stakeholders. In addition, the employment of international students is supported by stakeholder meetings and opportunities to work on various projects when possible.
- Verne collaborates with partner universities, which includes e.g. guest lectures and virtual exchanges.
Verne develops the teaching of transport and logistics in cooperation with teachers, researchers, students, colleagues and planning groups of different degree programmes, as well as other stakeholders. Verne would like to thank all stakeholders and those involved in the teaching collaboration – this is a joint acknowledgement of successful cooperation and its power!