The new LAB University of Applied Sciences takes a novel approach to higher education and the working world

The LAB University of Applied Sciences aims to reinvent education, the world of work, and approaches to work. ”We want to make studies and work more worthwhile and meaningful. This calls for a new kind of university of applied sciences”, says the future rector of the LAB University of Applied Sciences, Turo Kilpeläinen.

LAB will apply new approaches and courses of action in collaboration with business enterprises. In other words, the LAB University of Applied Sciences will be an institution specialising in innovation, business and industries.

Merja Heino, LAB’s Vice Rector, Education, highlights that LAB is the place for those who want to look beyond the surface. ”We challenge others and welcome challenges ourselves. We’re ready to work hard and apply ourselves. That’s the type of students we hope to attract at LAB and the type of enterprises we hope our students get to collaborate with.”

”I dare say that LAB will provide students with first-rate tools to enter the working world. LAB will equip them with both a degree and professional networks”, Kilpeläinen continues.

The LAB University of Applied Sciences will operate on three campuses. Physically, LAB will be based in Lahti (the Mukkula campus) and in Lappeenranta (the Skinnarila campus). Lahti is a European Green Capital and the Lappeenranta campus is the greenest campus in Finland. Both locations foster LAB’s strengths in the circular economy, design, the commercialisation of innovations, and health care service innovations. LAB’s third campus resides online, enabling students to study regardless of place and time.

”LAB’s higher education combined with applied research and innovation that develop the world of work provide the Päijät-Häme and South Karelia regions a competitive edge over the nation’s other regions. When the right people come together in the right environment, it yields actions and results that lead to unique success stories”, outlines Henri Karppinen, Vice Rector, Research, Development and Innovation.

The LAB University of Applied Sciences will start its operation in Lahti, Lappeenranta and online on 1 January 2020.

LAB in brief:

The LAB University of Applied Sciences provides education driven by the needs of the professional world and conducts applied research, development and innovation activities.

At the LAB University of Applied Sciences, students can study health care and social services, technology, business, tourism and hospitality, design, fine arts, and visual communication. LAB’s Institute of Design carries on the long-standing traditions of the Lahti Institute of Design and the Imatra fine arts department.

LAB has over 8500 students and 360 teachers and RDI experts. LAB has a turnover of roughly 65 million euros, and based on the number of students, it is the sixth largest university of applied sciences in Finland.

More information:

Rector Turo Kilpeläinen | turo [dot] kilpelainenlamk [dot] fi, tel. 044 708 5085

Vice Rector Merja Heino | merja [dot] heinosaimia [dot] fi, tel. 040 760 5533

Vice Rector Henri Karppinen | henri [dot] karppinensaimia [dot] fi, tel. 040 631 3800