ETUA – Supporting learning and employability of university of applied sciences students through special educational Support
The project aims to strengthen special educational expertise in Universities of Applied Sciences and to develop the support services required by students. The project seeks to promote equal learning opportunities, smooth study pathways, and successful transitions into working life for students with learning difficulties or other individual support needs.
Branch: Entrepreneurship and business
Duration: 1.9.2026 – 28.2.2029
Region: National
Financed by: European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)
Project Manager: Hanna Lahnalampi
The project develops operating models and services that enable students to receive timely, high-quality, and needs-based support in their studies, internships, and transition to employment. At the same time, it enhances the special educational competencies of higher education staff and workplace supervisors involved in student placements.
The project will deliver:
- new operating models for special educational support
- practices for collaboration with working life to support students
- strengthened special educational expertise among higher education staff
- sustainable structures for implementing special educational support in Universities of Applied Sciences
In the long term, the project will contribute to a more accessible higher education system and strengthen students’ equal opportunities to study, graduate, and gain employment.
Work Packages
Objective:
To strengthen special educational expertise in Universities of Applied Sciences by clarifying the role, responsibilities, and practices of special educational support and special education teachers, while deepening collaboration within professional networks.
Objective:
To strengthen staff capacity to identify and respond to students’ needs for special educational support. The work package aims to promote accessible and equitable study opportunities as well as students’ academic progress and employability.
Objective:
To enhance the readiness of workplaces to support and supervise students requiring special educational support during internships and their transition into employment.
Objective:
To ensure the long-term impact of the project by integrating the developed models and practices into the pedagogical activities, management structures, and quality systems of Universities of Applied Sciences.
The project is implemented in collaboration by Jamk University of Applied Sciences, Centria University of Applied Sciences, and Turku University of Applied Sciences.