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New Expertise into Working Life
IKAPO project brings together international talent, companies, and the academic community to strengthen education and spark innovation across North Ostrobothnia.
Students, experts, and alumni all contribute through partnerships, real-world projects, and expertise paths that connect learning with working life needs.
By ensuring access to skilled expert resources, IKAPO supports company growth and strengthens sustainable ICT development in the region.
Funding
The ESR+ development project “ICT experts creating sustainable international growth for North Ostrobothnia” (IKAPO), running until the end of 2027, is implemented with EU co-funding at the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu.
Expertise Areas
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IKAPO brings new expertise into working life in two key ICT specialisation areas:
SOFTWARE
HARDWARE
Intelligent Systems & AI
Electronics Design & Components
Software & Business Technologies
Connectivity & Communications
Data & Health Technologies
Embedded & Integrated Systems
Customer-centered Approach
At the heart of IKAPO are people and their expert paths. By attracting international talent, supporting learning through real working life experiences, and strengthening collaboration between students, alumni, and companies, IKAPO helps individuals grow into experts and facilitates companies' access to the expertise they need.
​Together, these development efforts build a more inclusive, responsive, and sustainable ICT ecosystem across North Ostrobothnia.
Goals
Driving innovation in digitalisation and sustainability through education, collaboration and shared expertise.
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Talent Attraction,
Inclusion and Retention
We build a diverse and sustainable ICT talent base
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International ICT talent recognised as valuable resources and drivers of growth ​
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​Alumni smoothen students’ paths into Finnish working life
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Equal opportunities for international and native Finnish students through increased interaction​
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Continued attraction of global talent despite full tuition fees ​
Work-Life Integration and Skill Development
We respond more efficiently to expertise needs in working life
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Faster, clearer responses to companies’ evolving expertise needs ​
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More traineeship and thesis opportunities for international students
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Experts and students learning together through meaningful work-life encounters​
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Collaboration and Smooth Employment
We strengthen partnerships and track employment impact
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​Stronger collaboration through new partnership & scholarship programmes
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Companies ready to engage and utilise evolving expertise
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Smarter mechanisms for tracking employment impact​
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Indicators
By the end of the Project
>500
Degree students have participated in project activities
195
Students work in companies in North Ostrobothnia
50
Companies have contributed to the project