In spring 2026, staff members at LAB University of Applied Sciences had the opportunity to strengthen their international competence through mobility periods with partner organizations outside Finland. Our destination was the Public University of Navarre UPNA in Spain (UPNA 2026).
As our work at LAB focuses on education as well as research, development and innovation (RDI) activities within the health and social care sector, the objectives of the mobility period were equally multifaceted. We aimed to strengthen collaboration with working life partners and expand our international RDI networks, deepen our professional expertise, and identify similarities and differences between the two cultures that could foster mutual learning in the future.
Saenz et al. (2024) highlight the importance of international collaboration, noting its potential to increase the impact of research and development activities while enhancing opportunities for knowledge sharing and the joint resolution of global challenges.
During the mobility period, we identified several development needs and challenges that extended beyond cooperation between higher education institutions. In both Finland and Spain, the potential of collaboration among universities, working life organizations, third-sector actors and non-governmental organizations is widely recognized. Looking ahead, efforts should focus on ensuring that this potential can also be harnessed across national borders. Although there are clear differences between the two countries, many of the challenges and development needs revolved around remarkably similar themes. This realization inspired us as developers and strengthened our interest in future collaboration.
Centro VidAAs: Innovations Supporting Independent Living
Population ageing and the growing need to support independent living and daily functioning present significant challenges in both countries. Spain is experiencing demographic trends similar to those seen in Finland: birth rates are declining while the proportion of older adults within the population continues to increase. In both countries, welfare technology has been identified as part of the solution.
During our visit, we explored Centro VidAAs, an innovation centre established by the Regional Government of Navarra. The centre addresses societal challenges by strengthening networks, entrepreneurship, research, and utilization of technology. Through social innovations and development projects, Centro VidAAs promotes people’s well-being, quality of life, and ability to live independently. In addition, it serves as a regional ecosystem hub that brings together key stakeholders, including citizens, organizations supporting well-being, universities and technology centres engaged in research and development, companies creating innovative solutions, and public-sector actors working to enhance social and economic well-being (Centro VidAAs 2026).
Lessons Learned from the Mobility Period
Our visit to Centro VidAAs provided both inspiration for new ideas and reassurance regarding the importance of similar development work already taking place in Finland. LAB WellTech, for example, operates in many of the same thematic areas and, in some cases, even works with similar welfare technology solutions (LAB WellTech 2026). One important objective shared by both organizations is the promotion of positive attitudes towards welfare technology. In both Spain and Finland, the critical role of health and social care professionals in adopting and utilizing technological solutions to support clients’ everyday lives has been clearly recognized.
Although it may seem old-fashioned to speak about increasing positive attitudes toward technology in a world where technological solutions are deeply embedded in everyday life, the utilization of technology within health and social care has not yet reached its full potential. Strengthening the adoption of technology requires the capacity to embrace and manage the changes brought about by digitalization. Perhaps this is where Finland and Spain share a common development challenge, one whose successful resolution could enhance the capacity for innovation and renewal within the health and social care sector in both countries.
