University of Vaasa offers low-threshold guidance service for immigrants – also for people fleeing the Ukraine war
The University of Vaasa offers Supporting Immigrants in Higher Education in Finland (SIMHE) guidance service for immigrants. The service provides support in identifying competence, advising on higher education studies and career guidance. SIMHE guidance is for immigrants who have already completed higher education or are considering it. The service is free of charge and open to everyone. It is suitable also for people fleeing the war in Ukraine to Finland.
SIMHE, supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture, promotes higher education for immigrants in Finland. It improves the customers' access to higher education or qualifications in their field. The aim is to improve integration and ease access to a position in working life that matches their competence.
– The purpose is to ensure that the previous studies and degrees of highly educated immigrants are identified and recognized following the national practices and standards, as soon as possible. Fast recognition eases the path towards the correct study and career possibilities, explains the Vice Rector Minna Martikainen.
The University of Vaasa is one of the higher education institutions responsible for the SIMHE activities since 2021. The activities are implemented through wide cooperation with regional, national and international partners.
– In the Vaasa region, guidance is provided in close cooperation with the regional network of higher education institutions, and e.g., with TE Offices and the ELY Centre. The regional network ensures that through SIMHE guidance we can provide a wide range of different study and support options such as language courses and career coaching. Therefore, the customers and the whole area benefit, comments the SIMHE project manager Sanna Valkosalo at the University of Vaasa.
Based on the needs emerging from the SIMHE guidance sessions this spring, the University of Vaasa will pilot tailored language training courses in autumn 2022 in cooperation with the other regional actors.
You can book an appointment via email simhe@lists.uwasa.fi. The University of Vaasa has a drop-in service at Tervahovi building every Tue from 1 to 3 PM and Wed from 9 to 11 AM.
More info:
Vice Rector Minna Martikainen, +358 29 449 8611, minna.martikainen@uwasa.fi
Project Manager Sanna Valkosalo, +358 50 476 4374, sanna.valkosalo@uwasa.fi
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