NURED Guest Blogger: Camilla Wikström-Grotell on sharing knowledge across borders

Knowledge networks as a success factor for creating new knowledge and ways of acting

Collaboration with organizations of various kinds such as employers, other universities and research institutes is needed for sustainability and quality in higher education. A multicultural approach is fundamental in the daily life on campus of today, and it includes all core tasks of teaching and research. This affects not only the university’s all units, employees and students but also external relations.

Long-term partnerships create the trust that is a prerequisite for cooperation in both education and research and, at best, leads to joint education and externally funded research. Networks work best when cooperation is versatile and established, but in a changing global world, flexibility and the different types of partners in different contexts are also needed.

This externally funded EU Interreg Central Baltic project is a successful example of an integrated knowledge and skills network that has led to collective benefits, not only in terms of creating and sharing new knowledge but also as an arena for the dissemination of knowledge and the development of new ideas.

Arcada University of Applied Sciences (Finland) bring their expertise on patient simulation exercises as well as teamwork simulation in co-operation with Upper Secondary Vocational schools, while Mälardalen University (Sweden) highlight their outstanding knowledge regarding new pedagogical methods and working with persons with intellectual disabilities. Riga Stradins University (Latvia) focuses on giving future nurses the right tools to handle stress and time management, and Tallinn Health Care College (Estonia) are bringing forth the latest e-learning and e-health concepts. With these four partners, the goals of the NURED Project are surely in good hands.

Students, teachers and researchers in the NURED-project perceive cooperation as motivating and developing. At the same time, the creation and preservation of networks is demanding. It takes time to maintain a continuous dialogue. It also requires management’s commitment and support. A big thank you goes to all who participate in the project with expertise and engagement. I am convinced that the NURED project will achieve its goals.

Camilla Wikström-Grotell, NURED Steering Group Chairman