Technical education in Vaasa celebrates 175 years

The operations of Vaasa University of Applied Sciences are built on a 175-year legacy of technical education. This long-standing tradition has evolved into a modern higher education institution tailored to meet the needs of regional businesses.

Technical education has a long history in Vaasa, dating back to 1849 when the Technical School (Teknillinen reaalikoulu), one of the first in Finland was established. In the following decades, the institution evolved into the Industrial School to better meet the needs of advancing technical education. The curriculum became more theoretical, and training in supervisory roles was introduced to improve organisational skills. Practical work experience was emphasised, and adult education became an integral part of the program—concepts that remain central to the operations of universities of applied sciences today.

Over 200 engineers graduate annually from the School of Technology, and they find employment with ease, particularly in export industry companies.

“We are the region’s main partner in technical expertise—and have been for 175 years! Our curricula are built around a strong focus on working life. This ensures that our students gain excellent knowledge during their studies, providing them with a solid foundation to meet the needs of the region’s industries and businesses,” states Ville Isoherranen, Director of the School of Technology, Vice Rector at VAMK.

Internationality as a part of legacy and future development

The roots of internationalisation in technical education in Vaasa stretch far back in history. As early as 1900, Vaasa Industrial School gained global recognition when its students’ technical drawings were awarded at the Paris Exposition.

In the 1990s, Vaasa Institute of Technology became the first in Finland to launch an English-language bachelor’s degree program in electrical engineering, the Degree Programme in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

Today, VAMK hosts nearly 700 international students pursuing bachelor’s or master’s degrees. The English-language Energy Technology degree programme is particularly popular among international students, and it attracted nearly 100 applications per available spot in the autumn 2024 joint application.

“Our engineering programmes in technology are highly attractive internationally, and the number of international students continues to grow steadily. Close collaboration and partnerships with regional companies provide excellent opportunities for businesses to recruit international talents from both our bachelor’s and master’s engineering students. I want to thank the staff of the School of Technology for their daily dedication to engineering education. Our strong traditions inspire us to keep developing our operations,” says Isoherranen.