We have tried to create an environment for the business studies that would facilitate grasping the newest phenomena. Therefore, we have incorporated artificial intelligence and robotics in our teaching. One of our main goals for the past year was good academic performance.
We developed a number of our operations during the year in order to ensure good academic performance and graduation of our students. To support students’ graduation at the target time, we implemented the electronic Exam system for exam retakes, increasing demonstration days and promoting the recognition of competence acquired through employment. Our aim is to respond to the changing requirements of workplaces by incorporating robotics and artificial intelligence in our teaching.
We worked in close cooperation with workplaces in our RDI activities, and growing the volume of the activities was one of our main objectives. Our project base and the share of international funding instruments were expanded considerably. The three extensive research projects we had underway were IoT Rapid-Proto Labs (Erasmus+), Skills, Education and the Future of Work (Academy of Finland) and Minimalist Organizational Design (Business Finland). Several smaller projects were also carried out. Our project volume grew by 80% compared to the previous year.
We continued the close cooperation with businesses in teaching, commercial services and RDI activities. In the commercial services, the study coaching we provided for companies enabled us to develop their business operations and to provide personnel with new insights into work through artificial intelligence, among other things.
Internationalisation was the underlying feature throughout our operations. In August, the third group of students started their studies at our International Business (IB) programme at Universidad Mondragón-UCO in Mexico. In addition, the IB programme included a praised quality workshop with our international partners. The degree programmes in Business and Sales signed an agreement on a new Double Degree programme with the Munich University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften München) in Germany.
Business studies, graduates 2019
A new kind of pedagogic innovation was piloted in the form of an escape room game, built in the basement of Haaga-Helia’s Pasila campus, in which students could try out their financial management skills. In the escape game, the players solved a number of tasks with the help of tips, clues and their reasoning skills. Codes to combination locks were deciphered through financial management calculations. In addition to calculation, competing the game required problem-solving skills, creativity and cooperation.
In the autumn, Haaga-Helia launched the RePack project to find solutions that help deepen customer understanding and improve customer experience with regard to the environmentally friendly RePack packaging material. RePack is a packaging material, developed by the Finnish company Plan B From Outer Space Oy, that provides an alternative for disposable packaging. Companies piloting the service in the autumn included the German Zalando and the Weekday brand of the Swedish H&M.
Together with Azets Insights, Haaga-Helia organised the “Robotiikka talousprosesseissa” course related to robotics, artificial intelligence and streamlining financial management processes. The number of students in the course was approximately 20, and they were divided into seven groups for the course assignment. The course was in high demand and had more interested students than could be admitted. The role of financial experts is transforming more and more into one emphasising data and technology, which is why the understanding of processes and technologies will be increasingly important in the future.
