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The three-week application period for the JYU.INTEGRA training programme for immigrants ended on 29 October with results that are almost record-breaking. A total of 84 applications were received, 43 in Finnish and 41 in English.  

Support in integrating to Finland  

The aim of the training programme is to help immigrants with a higher education background and qualifications to apply for a degree or to find employment in their field in Finland. The one-year, full-time and free training programme combines Finnish language, academic skills and contents in one’s own field into one package, while integrating the student into the Finnish educational world and society.

"The training programme pays particular attention to ensuring that all the skills that are taught support both employability and academic skills. We move forward considering student's goals and previous skills," explains Tuija Lehtonen, the coordinator of education.

The training programme, which is organized as contact-teaching at the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥, plays an important role in developing the educational and career paths of immigrants with higher education qualifications and eligibility for higher education.

Training polished over the years  

The application process continues with language tests and interviews, after which the selected candidates are informed of their selection. Studies will start in January 2024.  

The training programme is arranged now for the fifth time and about one hundred students have completed it so far. Over the years, the content of the training programme has been fine-tuned to better meet the language needs of the students.

"More and more attention has been paid to the study contents and their meaningfulness from the student's point of view. Particular emphasis has been placed on supporting students' well-being and coping skills", says Lehtonen.  

The students’ progress is monitored systematically for a couple of years after the end of the training, and most of them have found a study place or job in their field of interest within a year after the training.

Information regarding the next application round will be announced in August-September 2024.  

At the heart of Talent boost  

JYU.INTEGRA is part of the university's Talent Boost activities. Talent Boost is a national programme to promote the attraction, immigration and integration of international talent. The aim is to make Finland known and attractive to international talent and to improve the employability of international talent already present in Finland in jobs that match their skills. At the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥, Talent Boost is development work on the recruitment and integration of international talent, divided into different sub-projects.

In addition to JYU.INTEGRA, Movi participates in the university's other Talent Boost activities and is involved, for example, in the development of international graduate students' working life skills, expertise and working life connections by designing new types of multilingual and multidisciplinary workplace communication and networking courses and guidance for students.  

Moreover, Movi strives to develop services for international staff, for example by organising various staff training courses aimed at increasing language skills, encounters and a sense of belonging.