Feasibility study on collaboration between Xamk and LUT completed
The goal of the study was to establish a shared understanding of the situation and identify ways to develop higher education collaboration to strengthen regional vitality, expertise, business growth, and RDI activities and recognise new growth opportunities and concrete forms of collaboration between the higher education institutions and campuses in an evolving operating environment in Southeast Finland.
The feasibility study has two main themes: identifying growth opportunities through city-specific campus profiles and assessing alternatives for collaboration structures. Two collaboration structures are included in the study: 1) operational collaboration within the current ownership structure, and 2) collaboration through changes in ownership arrangements, the LUT Group holding 100% ownership.
The study was carried out in dialogue with representatives of the cities, businesses, Xamk, and LUT University. City-specific discussions and joint workshops examined regional needs for expertise, growth opportunities, and stronger higher education collaboration.
Material provided by LUT University on the operation of LUT Universities shows that LUT University and the LAB University of Applied Sciences have achieved clear efficiency gains in shared services and operating practices.
Based on LUT’s materials and information provided by Xamk, it can be roughly estimated that if Xamk were to join LUT Universities, it would profit from shared services through, for example, greater efficiencies and higher returns on education export. According to the report, the estimated overall benefit for Xamk's activity would exceed 9 million euros, corresponding to 8.5 per cent of Xamk’s annual turnover in 2025.
In the current landscape, competition for higher education funding is expected to increase and the importance of project impact is expected to grow. LUT University and Xamk could, if they so wish, strengthen their collaboration in RDI also without organisational arrangements if joint activities are prioritised over other objectives.
The declining birth rate in the area will affect the demand for higher education, and competition for higher education students will intensify. Especially the limited number of growing SMEs and research and development companies in the area restricts the potential to expand university activities.
Based on the feasibility report, the potential for growth needs to be more deeply assessed. Launching university activities would require more detailed definition of campus profiles and contents and further discussion on the funding of activities in all cities involved.
“The discussion about strengthening collaboration has been going on for years. I’m glad the matter has now been examined in detail. We will consider the matter at LUT especially from the growth and business case perspectives,” says Teresa Kemppi-Vasama, chair of the LUT board.
The detailed conclusions of the feasibility report will be presented to the municipal councils of the owner cities in early September. The study does not obligate any party to pursue further measures – each will decide on possible further actions by the end of September 2026.
Feasibility study documents (in Finnish):
1) Xamk–LUT feasibility report
2) Summary of the feasibility report
More information:
Kristina Lönnfors, acting mayor of Kotka, tel. +358 44 702 4222, kristina [dot] lonnfors
kotka [dot] fi (kristina[dot]lonnfors[at]kotka[dot]fi)
Marita Toikka, mayor of Kouvola, tel. +358 40 483 1680, marita [dot] toikkakouvola [dot] fi (marita[dot]toikka[at]kouvola[dot]fi)
Janne Kinnunen, mayor of Mikkeli, tel. +358 44 459 7300, janne [dot] kinnunenmikkeli [dot] fi (janne[dot]kinnunen[at]mikkeli[dot]fi)
Ding Ma, acting mayor of Savonlinna, tel. +358 40 559 8989, ding [dot] masavonlinna [dot] fi (ding[dot]ma[at]savonlinna[dot]fi)
Teresa Kemppi-Vasama, chair of the LUT board, tel. +358 40 838 4202, Teresa [dot] Kemppi-Vasamalut [dot] fi