The FITech ICT project launched in 2019 has concluded
The FITech ICT project, funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC), ended on 31 July 2026. The long-term project involved seven Finnish universities: Aalto University, LUT University, Tampere University, University of Oulu, University of Turku, University of Vaasa, and Åbo Akademi University. The network’s activities and collaboration will continue in other projects.
The FITech ICT project was launched in 2019 to address the national shortage of professionals in the field of ICT. The participating universities opened their degree-course offerings to all interested learners with the aim of ensuring sufficient ICT competence among personnel across organisations during the digital transformation. Interest in the field was high.
A broad course selection to help bridge the skills gap
Within the FITech ICT project, a wide range of free university courses was offered and demand was high. The network met the goals set for the project: nearly 64,200 ECTS credits’ worth of ICT studies were provided to over 20,000 unique adult learners. There were almost 1,200 course implementations, and more than 76,500 course applications were submitted via Studyinfo.
Courses covered, for example, topics like programming, software development, mathematics, accessibility, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, and game development. There were studies available in three languages—Finnish, Swedish, and English—and at three levels, from introductory to advanced. Foundational courses supported, for example, career changers, while advanced studies helped industry professionals update their skills alongside work.
“The studies enabled me to advance an internal development project.” – Learner feedback (translated from Finnish)
During the project, a new way was developed for learners to present their acquired skills to, for example, potential employers, and adult learners can still apply for a digital FITech badge after successfully completing a course via FITech. The badge can be shared, for instance, on a LinkedIn profile as a sign of continuous learning and new competencies. The popularity of the badge continues, and nearly 5,800 badges have been awarded to date. The positive impact of ICT courses completed through FITech on employment was also evident in learner feedback.
“I got my first job thanks to the programming skills I learned in FITech courses. Without FITech studies, my employment would likely have been delayed by years.” – Learner feedback (translated from Finnish)
The project opened doors to national collaboration
The FITech ICT project deepened national collaboration both among Finnish universities and between universities and working life. During the ICT project, the number of member universities in the FITech network grew to nine as two universities expressed interest in joining in 2019 and 2022. As a result, in addition to the founding members—Aalto University, LUT University, Tampere University, University of Oulu, University of Turku, University of Vaasa, Åbo Akademi University, Technology Industries of Finland and Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland TEK—the University of Jyväskylä and University of Eastern Finland also joined the network. Although the new members did not participate in the ICT project, they have been actively involved in the network’s activities.
During the project, the network developed new courses and smoother teaching methods that enabled completing courses delivered in different locations and suited, for example, studying alongside work. The network’s efforts to develop online teaching received an additional boost from the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in late 2019, and the resulting restrictions on gatherings. Moving content online required significant learning from all parties, but the work was rewarding—the most popular online courses during the project period had over 100 applicants.
“FITech is a brilliant concept. I have recommended many others to explore the opportunities it offers.” – Learner feedback (translated from Finnish)
During the process, Aalto University developed the Learning Design Toolkit and the Online Learning Design Handbook, led by Akseli Huhtanen, who worked as FITech’s learning designer. The content of the Online Learning Design Handbook was based on research on learning as well as on the higher education pedagogy and online pedagogy principles of FITech’s member universities. Learner feedback received during the project highlighted the meaningfulness of online implementations and their role as enablers of continuous learning. The successful work to develop online studies will continue in future FITech collaboration.
“FITech has had a significant impact on my education and making a career change possible. In the future, similar types of courses would be highly beneficial for updating and supplementing skills.” – Learner feedback (translated from Finnish)
The network’s activities continue in other FITech projects
FITech Network University thanks the project’s funder, learners, participants, and partners for their valuable collaboration in this long-term project! The lessons and experiences gained from the project will strengthen the network’s operations and national cooperation both within the Finnish higher education sector and between higher education institutions and working life partners.
Collaboration will continue in other FITech projects. In the future, courses in the field of IT and ICT can be found, for example, in the selection of the FITech 5G project.
