Novia UAS advances RDI in line with Finland’s strategic priorities

Novia University of Applied Sciences continues to develop and strengthen its research, development and innovation (RDI) activities in response to societal needs. With a growing project portfolio and a clear focus on current societal challenges, Novia conducts RDI activities that align with Finland’s national strategic priorities.

Arene has published a comprehensive collection of examples of research projects at universities of applied sciences that fall within Finland’s strategic focus areas. The examples are compiled on the website tki.fi.

The strategic choices are:

• data and data-based value creation
• disruptive technologies
• health and wellbeing
• climate, environment and the Arctic dimension
• security, resilience and defence.

RDI activities have shown very strong growth at Novia UAS, with external funding reaching EUR 7.7 million in 2025, an increase of 44 percent compared to 2024. In 2024, external funding amounted to EUR 5.3 million, representing a 36 percent increase compared to 2023.

“We translate society’s needs into action through continuous collaboration with our partners. By focusing on applied research and innovative development, we initiate actions that support sustainable development, secure future competence and create renewal in key sectors of society,” says President Örjan Andersson.

The Finnish Government has committed to the national goal of increasing Finland’s research, development and innovation expenditure to four percent of gross domestic product by 2030. In accordance with the Act on RDI funding, the state’s RDI funding will be increased to 1.2 percent of GDP, provided that companies’ investments account for two-thirds of total RDI expenditure.

Digitalisation strengthens competitiveness in the maritime sector

One example of Novia’s work in data and data-based value creation is the Virtual Sea Trial (VST) project, funded by Business Finland. The project uses digitalisation and simulations to create a shared testing environment for system integrations within the modern maritime industry. It strengthens cooperation between industry and higher education and contributes to the development of future maritime solutions. The total budget of the higher education institutions in the VST project is EUR 6.2 million, of which Novia’s share is EUR 2.4 million.

Sustainable solutions for future social and healthcare services

Within the field of health and wellbeing, Novia is involved in the ESF+-funded project Hållbar och kompetent SOTE (Sustainable and Competent Social and Healthcare Services), which promotes sustainable development in the wellbeing services counties of Southwest Finland and Ostrobothnia. The aim is to safeguard the operating conditions of social and healthcare services through competence development and new ways of working, in close cooperation with regional stakeholders.

From waste to energy – circular solutions in practice

An example from the field of energy technology research is SF-BioVaC, which is one of seven projects funded during the period 2024–2026 by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ Higher Education Partnership (HEP) Programme, administered by the Finnish National Agency for Education.

The project strengthens expertise and collaboration, focusing on the potential of biogas and the circular economy in Zambia through close cooperation between higher education institutions, industry, and public authorities in Zambia and Finland.

At the same time, the project contributes to the energy transition, improves waste management, and supports capacity development for sustainable development from a global perspective.

Rising sea temperatures alter the energy balance of plankton

Novia also conducts RDI within climate, the environment and the Arctic dimension. The project ZETA – Losing weight in marine biota, funded by the Academy of Finland, studies how climate change and ocean acidification affect marine ecosystems.

The research contributes to increased understanding of environmental change and provides knowledge needed to protect and sustainably manage the marine environment.

“The national strategic priorities for RDI clarify how research and innovation can address both national and global challenges. Novia’s RDI activities are an active part of this whole and are characterised by collaboration, cross-disciplinary research and a strong regional and international perspective. By living in the present and developing solutions for the future, Novia strengthens its role in contributing to sustainable societal development,” says Vice-President Eva Sandberg-Kilpi.

Read Arene’s news here (in Finnish).

More information:

• Novia UAS, President/CEO Örjan Andersson, tel. +358 50 527 2286
• Novia UAS, Vice-President Eva Sandberg-Kilpi, tel. +358 44 449 8251

Sender:

• Novia UAS, RDI Communications Officer Nadine Karell, tel. +358 50 472 6164