VAMK involved in organising Wasa Future Festival

Wasa Future Festival takes again place in August and Vaasa University of Applied Sciences is participating in the event with the fourth edition of YoungTalk.

YoungTalk23 event will be held on August 8th as part of the Wasa Future Festival, which takes place from August 7th to 12th. The theme of this year’s YoungTalk is International Talents and SMEs: An Evening of Solutions in the Spirit of Co-Creation. Five of the higher education institutions in Vaasa, VAMK, Novia, Åbo Academi and University of Vaasa along with the Pohjanmaa Employment and Economic Development Office and the Chamber of Commerce, have joined forces in the planning and implementation of this shared day. Vaasa University of Applied Sciences has driven the co-creation process.

YoungTalk23 is a part of International Day. The morning starts with a recruitment event where professionals meet companies in speed dating-style interviews. During the day, companies share their experiences regarding the challenges and opportunities of international recruitment. In the evening, an interactive co-creation session, YoungTalk23, takes place, involving a wide range of stakeholders. The interactive session aims to find solutions for enhancing the global attractiveness of the Vaasa region, with the participation of international talents, companies, and decision makers.

Programme of the International Day, August 8th at 8:30 – 21:15

Vaasa University of Applied Sciences, Novia, Åbo Akademi, University of Vaasa, Hanken, Pohjanmaa Employment and Economic Development Office, Chamber of Commerce

8:30 Breakfast and registering to Global Talent Connect

9:00 – 12:00 Global Talent Connect: International talents and big companies (closed event)

12:00 – 13:00 Lunch

13:15 – 14:45 CompanyTalk: Benefits and challenges of employing international talents (by invitation only)

16:15 – 21:15 YoungTalk23 International talents and SMEs – an evening of solutions

Co-Creation with international and local students, businesses, public servants and decision makers

16:15 Networking – Get out of your own bubble

​16.45 Welcoming words by Moderators Laila Fe Balinggan and Sabbir Ahmed Bhuiyan

Get Inspired: How to make our region globally interesting for young smart people?

• Joakim Strand, member of parliament
• Tuomas Saikkonen, CEO, VILPE
• Tomi Paalosmaa – PhD Student, University of Vaasa
• Arshed Iqbal – Doctoral Researcher School of Marketing and Communication, International Business, University of Vaasa

17:30 Co-creation starts

Theme 1: Young Talent´s Perspectives: How to overcome the challenges to be employed in SME`s?

Pitch Talk: Hagar Elbarbary – MOOC Project Coordinator, Hanken School of Economics

Solution discussions at tables with representatives of international experts, SMEs and stakeholders.

18.30 Theme 2: SME´s perspectives: Success Stories in Hiring Foreign Employees

Pitch Talks: Heidi Saarinen, HR Generalist, Danfoss and Samuli Kuusisto, Sales Development Director, Uwira

Solution discussions at tables with representatives of international experts, SMEs and stakeholders.

19.30 Break – Music by Walter Kloo

19.45 Theme 3: Perspectives of Young Talents and SME´s on how the Finnish language affects employment

Pitch Talks: Tuomas Saikkonen, CEO, VILPE and Zhang, Yue – Student, Vaasa University of Applied Sciences

Solution discussions at tables with representatives of international experts, SMEs and stakeholders.

20.45 Solutions on the table – how to proceed.

Moderators Laila Fe Balinggan and Sabbir Ahmed Bhuiyan

21:15 Evening ends with a music performance by Walter Kloo

The event  is part of Wasa Future Festival

Register to YoungTalk23