13.05.2026
Working life cooperation and current research information - Regional Assembly of Oulu Region in cooperation in cooperation with the Geography Research Unit of the University of Oulu
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia has been collaborating with the Geography Research Unit of the University of Oulu for years. This spring, students of the fourth year have completed a course in applied research in regional development and policy, in which the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia has participated in the study contents. At the beginning of May, it was time to gather at the premises of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. During the seminar, the Geography Research Unit presented its activities and current research areas and topics. In addition, the union's experts told about their duties and educational backgrounds, and the students presented their group work completed during the course.
Students study the importance and distribution of networks, cooperation and trust, and development resources within our region, as well as the internationality and cooperation between the provinces of Northern Finland. Course work kThe main findings were the concentration of development in large centres and the effects of cooperation and competition on the creation of trust. In recent years, inter-regional and international cooperation has been increased by the geopolitical situation and the emphasis on preparedness and security of supply.
The study highlighted the importance of trust: In Northern Finland, in particular, there are few actors, which strengthens trust based on personal relationships. This is a strength, but it can be associated with the risk of excessive personalization. The main challenges identified were the excessive concentration of development, the weak interaction between urban centres and rural areas, and the different resources of municipalities, which can lead to a situation where opportunities to participate in different development networks vary.
Cooperation is fruitful on both sides: Through the course, students will receive meaningful working life cooperation and perspectives on what kind of tasks the regional councils have. The Regional Council, on the other hand, receives up-to-date information on research and education content from the cooperation and can, for its part, promote the Regional Council to young people as a potential employer of the future.
Thanks to the young students of the Geography Research Unit, University Researcher Kaj Zimmerbauer and part-time teacher Liina-Lotta Vierikko for their good cooperation. This is a good thing to continue in the coming years!
