Europe's Best Higher Education Community: Students Building a Common Future

Workshop on strengthening the sense of community among higher education students 10.4.2026

Jamk's and JYU's students gathered at the City Hall to envision what the best higher education community in Europe will be like in Jyväskylä in 2030. The method of reminiscing about the future was used to outline concrete steps towards a shared vision. The work led by Jamk's Account Manager Tytti Solankallio-Vahteri emphasised listening, curiosity and bold shared vision.

The small group discussions formed a picture of the higher education community, which is united by the strongest sense of community in Europe. In addition to a sense of community, the target community is characterised by diversity, a low threshold for participation, flexible spaces, interdisciplinary learning and structures that understand the student's life.

Students from different life situations are involved, and there is a close connection with the city and international networks. A sense of community requires functional facilities, services and teaching structures to support it. The key enablers are higher education institutions, student organisations and the City of Jyväskylä in cooperation.

In 2030, Jyväskylä will be known as the most receptive student city in Europe, which will inspire shared pride in the higher education community.

The results will be utilised in building a sense of community within the Universities Group

Mikael Forssell (JAMKO), Karri Kekkonen (JYY), Pia Lehtonen (JYU) and Ismo Puhakka (JAMKO) form a clear picture of the students' wishes for the development of community spirit from the results of the workshop.

The aim is to form proposals for the steering group of the Competent and Healthy Higher Education Development Programme together with the working group of the Student Well-being as an Attraction Factor and a Builder of Community Development. The results of the workshop thus serve as a basis for creating future measures.

Many thanks to the students who participated in the workshop!