Technology holds so much potential to solve many global challenges relating to sustainability and access to resources, or even human health and well-being. But technological advancement is moving at an unprecedented rate, calling for professionals – most notably, information and communications technology (ICT) and engineering professionals – to catalyse this next phase of growth.
As a bastion for education and research excellence, the University of Oulu prides itself on pushing the boundaries of innovation through education and research. Located in Oulu – the technological heart of Finland – this northern Finnish city is home to 200 new ICT startups since 2014, developing the technology that is used by a whopping 2.6 billion users. This makes it one of the most exciting places to study for students in the field.
The University of Oulu is one of the largest universities in Finland, and is ranked in the top three percent of the 17,000 universities worldwide. The institution’s strength lies in its publishing activity; among the fields of science, the University of Oulu ranks well in information technology and data processing and electrical engineering, among others.
Postgraduate degrees in ICT and engineering that calibrate students for success
The University of Oulu boasts of a strong science community that helps students pursue ground-breaking, multidisciplinary research. It has strong partnerships with research institutes, companies and the public sector, while its eight faculties have many specialised research units.
The university also ensures it’s ahead of the curve. For instance, GenZ – the strategic profiling theme of the university – aims to respond to the challenges that rapidly developing new technologies will have on human lives in the 21st century.
Prospective students can choose from several postgraduate engineering programmes, including Master’s in Wireless Communications Engineering (WCE), a two-year programme concentrating on wireless communications network technology. The programme is built on 30 years of groundbreaking research and cooperation with global telecommunication and electronics companies like Nokia.
It will give students the relevant skills and core knowledge of the latest methods, tools and technologies combined with time-tested issues such as antennas, advanced wireless communication systems, communication networks and computer engineering, to name a few.
Meanwhile, the MSc (Technology) Computer Science and Engineering programme is research-oriented and concentrates on intelligent digital solutions to real world problems. Computer Science and Engineering has had a significant impact into our daily lives, and will soon blend into our living environments, offering us rich sets of services through natural and intuitive user interfaces. The graduates from Computer Science and Engineering will play a key role in this development.
Prospective graduate students who want a thorough understanding of software ecosystems and user-oriented products and services may want to enrol in the MSc in Software, Systems and Services Development in the Global Environment programme. The course will provide students with relevant skills and core knowledge of the latest methods, tools and technologies to be an expert or manager in a global ICT company. Students will also develop skills to lead multicultural teams, projects, and units.
Students keen on applying engineering principles into healthcare will find the Master’s in Biomedical Engineering (BME) programme ideal. This two-year interdisciplinary programme focuses on biomechanics, medical imaging, biomedical signal and image processing. It equips students with relevant skills and core knowledge of the latest methods, tools and technologies combined with issues such as anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, machine learning, and more.
BME graduates typically work in different expert duties in industry, research, education and health care. They may work as a designer, developer, researcher, service provider or even entrepreneur. Typically, the tasks involve strong international perspective.
Empowering women in STEM and engineering for a sustainable future
Women consist of almost half of the world’s population and yet, their participation in STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics) fields – which are essential for global development – is still alarmingly low. The University of Oulu acknowledges that the industry needs their skills and knowledge now more than ever, and serves as a supportive community to supercharge them for success. They have many women conducting research in the field, making it an attractive platform for those with an interest in computers, electronics, and programming.
Echoing this is second year Master’s in Computer Science and Engineering student Anastasiia Borodulina. The Ukrainian was attracted to the university for being in the Top 100 Best Universities of the world in the field of IT, while the city hosts a sizeable number of companies working in the field, making it ideal for students looking to build their careers during or after their studies.
Studying in the same field with Borodulina is Sri Lankan national Tharaka Kaushalya, who applied to pursue his Master’s in WCE at Oulu. Universities can play a key role in championing sustainability, and Tharaka was proud that the university’s programme is aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
So, if you’re looking for an institution that provides prospective students in ICT and engineering with an enriching learning experience, the University of Oulu might just tick all your boxes.
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