International review of distance students in local business

The event was organised within the framework of the Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform and brought together experts from all over Europe. The purpose of the review was to identify concrete measures for how distance students can be better included in the regional ecosystem and at the same time contribute to local skills supply and innovation. 

The participants discussed everything from the design of attractive learning environments to the governance and financing of the distance campus of the future. Anna-Lena Perdahl, University Strategist at Mid Sweden University, highlights the value of the broad collaboration:

"Distance students are an important, but often invisible part of our academic community. Being able to offer them a context where they also have a natural place in the local business community not only strengthens the individual – it strengthens the entire region's ability to grow and develop," she says.

During the second day of the meeting, the discussions continued at Samverket. From left: Ilaria Ramaglioni, Policy officer, Interreg Europe Joint Secretariat, Elena Ferrario, Thematic Manager, Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform, Alain Bouhours, French Ministry of Higher Education, Mattias Jaktlund, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Learning Centre Östersund and Will Bennis, Prague University of Economics and Business.

The event concluded with joint recommendations that now form the basis for continued work in both the university and the municipality's development efforts. During day two, proposals were formulated for concrete policy measures, such as new forms of collaboration with the business community and how distance students can more easily access internships, mentoring and networks locally.