Students Who Are Interested in New Knowledge, International Exchange and Putting Theory

Students who are interested in new knowledge, international exchange and putting theory into practice by working with real world cases! A great opportunity for you! INNO-FOREST: Integrating innovation and entrepreneurship in higher forestry education. Socrates Intensive Programme for under- and postgraduate students of forestry, environment and related fields of studies

Innovation and entrepreneurship are the words of tomorrow. They are important drivers for economic growth, competitiveness and employment in the forest sector in Europe. This Socrates Intensive Programme will introduce you to this subject and make you one of those experts who are leading the action!

The idea is that you research i.e. collect material, interview etc. (guidance material will be provided) a particularly successful or promising innovation by a forest (or related) enterprise in your own country (stage1). Then, you relate theoretical, conceptual and methodical aspects, learned in an intensive course in Finland, to this case (stage2). Finally, you will elaborate a strategic innovation A walking harvester, concept plan for your case enterprise (stage3). machine developed by Plustech Oy. www.plustech.fi Key topics: What is innovation? How are enterprise’s innovations embedded in a wider environment? Innovations as a source of economic growth and competence. Innovation processes. How are innovations created and implemented? Areas for potential innovation in forestry. Examples and best practises of innovations in the forest sector. Enterprise level skills and tools. Monitoring and measuring enterprise’s innovativeness. Development of a business plan for an innovation project.

The ten day Intensive Course at Savonia Polytechnic in Iisalmi, Finland During the intensive course you will learn about the key topics from lectures given by experts with a broad background on innovation research in forestry in Europe. You will work on your case study in workshops with other students and experts, and take part in interesting excursions. The course will be a valuable international experience bringing together students from 18 partner institutes participating in INNO-FOREST from 13 European countries. Language of the course will be English.

Timetable: Stage 1: Researching your case enterprise April – 15 May 2005 Stage 2: Ten days intensive course in Iisalmi, Finland, 16 – 27 May 2005 Stage 3: Finalising case study reports with the enterprise, finalized by 24 June 2005.

Financial support: EU's Socrates Programme will cover the costs of your participation in the ten days Intensive Course in Finland: lectures, materials and excursions. Max 71% of travel costs (most economical) will be covered, and 27€/day provided for accommodation and subsistence. Savonia Polytechnic will help organizing cheap accommodation. Contact your local co-ordinator for potential other funding.

Credits: You will be granted five (5) ECTS credits for successfully doing the course (submission of case study report and acceptance)

Applying: If you are interested in taking part in the Intensive Programme INNO-FOREST, please fill-in an application form. Application forms and further information about the programme can be found at: www.inno-forest.org. Please return the filled-in application with the requested attachments (see form) by 28 February 2005 to your local INNO-FOREST Co-ordinator: Name: Organisation Tel: Fax: Email:

Miika and international forestry Further information can also be found: http://www.pspt.fi/eng/ (Savonia polytechnic) students www.boku.ac.at/innoforce www.joensuu.fi/coste30 (Related projects). Or contact Senja Smedberg, Project Coordinator of INNO-FOREST, Email: [email protected] Tel +358 44 785 5622 The local coordinator will nominate 3-4 students for participation in the programme and submit their applications to the Project Co-ordinator for final decision. Students selected for the programme are named by 11 March 2005. Welcome to Finland!