New report: The competitive position of Kanta-Häme is at a strong medium level – there is potential for growth
According to an extensive study by researcher Timo Aro, HAMK plays a key role in developing the competitiveness of the region. Kanta-Häme’s location creates a lot of potential for the region – with joint action and a forward-looking approach, the region has the potential for even better growth and development.
The Häme Future Report examines the factors related to the vitality and future success potential of the Häme University of Applied Sciences’ operating area, i.e. Kanta-Häme and Southern Pirkanmaa. The report was commissioned by Häme University of Applied Sciences and written by regional researcher, PhD Timo Aro. The report was published in Finnish at the Häme Future Seminar on Thursday 12.12.2024.
HAMK is committed to the development of its region
According to the report, Kanta-Häme ranks at or slightly above the regional average on most variables measuring the competitiveness of the region. However, there are relatively large internal differences between the three regions and individual municipalities within the county. Häme’s potential opportunities are enhanced by its location close to the three largest centres of the country.
“By working together and having a vision for the future, we can achieve much more as a region. To make Kanta-Häme and Southern Pirkanmaa successful, we need close cooperation between the region’s municipalities, the business community and HAMK. At HAMK, we are committed to developing the region’s competitiveness and bringing our international networks to the benefit of the whole region,” says Pertti Puusaari, President of HAMK.
Population and employment growth in Kanta-Häme has been on a moderately declining path. On the other hand, the county’s employment rate and economic dependency ratio are highly competitive: both indicators are the fifth most competitive in the country. The region’s good employment dynamics and the reasonably high incomes of its residents are also positive. Among the regions without a university or university centre, Kanta-Häme has the highest proportion of people with a higher education degree.
“Häme’s competitiveness is enabled by most of the key competitiveness indicators. The location of Häme is both a strength and a weakness, being close to the three largest centres in the country. The region has a wealth of location-related potential and capabilities. For Häme’s future development and competitiveness, HAMK’s role and importance is highlighted in everything and everywhere”, Timo Aro evaluates.
In Häme, research and development expenditures amounted to around 1.18% of GDP in 2021, slightly below the average among regions and clearly below the national target of 4% by 2030. However, there is potential for RDI growth in Häme.
HAMK’s research volume is constantly growing and is already at the same level as many Finnish universities.
“We have to increase the amount of RDI money in the region, and to achieve this, we need to raise the skills level in the industry. We at HAMK also want to continue to significantly increase our research activities. Our goal is to reach a level of €30 million in research funding by 2030,” said Vice President Heidi Ahokallio-Leppälä.
HAMK creates attraction and growth opportunities for the region
HAMK already has more than 10 000 students – more than, for example, some Finnish universities. The main recruiting areas for HAMK students are Uusimaa and Pirkanmaa, in addition to HAMK’s own region. What makes HAMK different from other universities of applied sciences is that students come from the whole of Southern Finland, not just from its own region.
“With the arrival of the students, HAMK’s area of operations receives a lot of skilled, innovative workforce and solutions to concrete challenges in working life. HAMK graduates have excellent employment prospects,” says Ahokallio-Leppälä.
International students bring growth potential to the region, which is particularly needed as the Finnish age groups are shrinking and in Häme the number of working-age people and children has declined. HAMK already has 1350 foreign degree students. Foreign degree students make up 14% of all students, which is 4.5 percentage points more than the average in all Finnish higher education institutions.
“To maximise the development of the region, we must have all the tools of the European higher education system at our disposal. The titles of universities of applied sciences should be upgraded to European-style masters, and universities of applied sciences should have the right to offer professional doctoral degrees. These changes cost practically nothing, we just need the opportunity.” Puusaari calls on decision-makers.
Häme Future Report
The Häme Future Report is a report commissioned by Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) on the factors affecting the prosperity and future prospects of HAMK’s operating area, namely Kanta-Häme and Southern Pirkanmaa.
The study was carried out by researcher Timo Aro, PhD, in autumn 2024.
Further information
Timo Aro
Researcher
[email protected]
tel. +358 45 657 7890