Tech students arrived in Joensuu
The University of Eastern Finland started offering engineering studies in the degree programmes of photonics and sustainable technologies in Joensuu and in the degree programme of technical physics in Kuopio.
In Joensuu, one out of every three people you see on the streets is a student, and now there’s also have a fair number of fresh students of technical subjects, also known as teekkaris.
Joensuu joined the list of teekkari cities as the university’s educational offering expanded to the field of technology. This autumn, the University of Eastern Finland started offering engineering studies in the degree programmes of photonics and sustainable technologies in Joensuu and in the degree programme of technical physics in Kuopio.
Elisa Mehtonen and Emma Myllymäki, who study photonics at the Department of Physics and Mathematics, say that their studies have got off to a good start. Both studied physics during their freshman year.
– During my first academic year, I studied in the physics research line, but I ended up switching to Master’s degree studies in photonics under the new degree programme. In addition to mathematics and physics, photonics also involves a lot of general technical studies and for example, programming. That diversity attracted me, says Elisa.
Emma’s path also took her from the physics research line to studies in photonics.
– I had to consider switching for a long time, but the diverse and interesting range of courses in photonics finally won me over.
There is a need for photonics experts
Photonics is a field of science and technology based on invisible and visible light, whose Master’s degree studies prepare you for research and product development tasks in the field of photonics as well as for working as a specialist and in management positions.
Technological studies also support business in the region. Companies have been involved in creating the study content and, especially the final years of the studies proceed in close co-operation with companies. The students are also well aware of the fact that there is a great need in companies for highly qualified experts in the field of technology.
In Joensuu, photonics experts work at Dispelix and Nanocomp, for example. The journey of many who specialise in photonics lead to posts at, for example, the Photonics Center on the university campus.
– Since the beginning of my studies it has been clear that there is a need for photonics experts both in Joensuu and elsewhere in Finland, says Elisa.
Read the whole article: Tech students arrived at the campus | Joensuun Uutiset
Writer: Anne Kokkonen
Photo: Risto Takala
