CEMIS Partners are now also Kainuu Sports Hub
Partners in the Hub are the CEMIS partners Ģֱ – Sports Technology Unit Vuokatti, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, Oulu University, CSC — IT Center for Science and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland of which the first two are also INSHAPE partners. In addition, Vuokatti Sport and Snowpolis belong to the Kainuu Sports Hub.
"Since the CEMIS network has been active in the region for 15 years, it made sense to integrate Kainuu Sports Hub, which was initiated through the INSHAPE project, into the CEMIS framework. The Hub is expected to enhance especially international collaboration and cooperation with companies," says Professor Vesa Linnamo, Head of JYU-Vuokatti.
The aim is to develop a dynamic ecosystem where high-quality measurement technologies (including in elite sports), data analytics and AI, research expertise, and multidisciplinary educational programs foster innovation in the fields of physical activity, health, and wellbeing. Data utilization and knowledge-based decision-making are at the heart of this development. Supporting this is LUMI, one of Europe's most powerful supercomputers, located in Kajaani.
Kainuu Sports Hub is not the only one of its kind. Similar innovation hubs exist in other parts of Europe. Together with six other regions, Kainuu forms an international ecosystem that promotes innovation in the field of sport and wellbeing. In addition to Kainuu, two other hubs are located in Finland: in Lapland and Päijät-Häme. The other countries represented are Spain, the Netherlands, and Hungary. While the hubs share similar expertise, they also bring strong region-specific specializations in line with their smart specialization strategies.
“Kainuu Sports Hub offers an excellent opportunity to bring together entrepreneurs, higher education RDI expertise (including students), the public sector, and citizens. This collaboration in the development of sports and wellbeing can be promoted regionally, nationally, and internationally,” says Katri Takala, Senior Lecturer in Sports at Kajaani University of Applied Sciences.
