Louise Brown visits University of Oulu on Erasmus+ staff training

21 Nov 2024

Louise Brown is an Executive Assistant in the School of Microbiology and SUSFERM at University College Cork. Louise recently travelled to University of Oulu on an Erasmus+ staff training visit.

Oulu, admittedly, was not on my radar until Professor John Morrissey suggested it when I was considering where to go on my Erasmus+ Staff Training. For readers who are not so familiar with Oulu either, it is the most northern city of Finland and is soon to be the European Capital of Culture 2026.

During my visit to the University of Oulu, I participated in a packed programme of meetings, talks and tours at the Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine (FBMM) at the Kontinkangas Campus, connected to the main hospital in the city where I was hosted by Jari Heikkinen, Education Designer. On the second day, the President of Finland helicoptered in for the official opening of a new state-of-the-art facility which made national headlines. On the final day I was hosted at the Linnanmaa Campus by Solution Designers Marjo Pääskylä and Ulla Alanko, International Mobility Services and Maria Juntunen, International Coordinator, Faculty of Science.

Whilst there, I gave a presentation on University College Cork and the School of Microbiology to which Dave Woods (sustainability/green labs), Dr Niall O’Leary (SOM overview staff/ courses/modules) and Dr Jerry Reen (as Director of CK402) contributed; I very much appreciate their generosity of spirit. The premise of this visit was to explore ways we might collaborate with University of Oulu in the context of virtual lectures, student exchanges and participation in joint projects. We are very optimistic about strengthening our partnership and are continuing to further establish links. 

I was struck by the warmth of the Finns, the Nordic culture and for those who are curious to know more about the language, it truly is out there in terms of its uniqueness: A language family tree - in pictures | Education | The Guardian. Keen cyclists will appreciate that Oulu has the best network of cycle lanes in all of Finland!

At the end of my visit, as I was flying out of Helsinki to return home, I took the opportunity to do a whistlestop tour of the capital. Having travelled there by train, on the recommendation of colleague Nancy Hawkes (Media and Communications), I caught a ferry across to Suomenlinna Fortress, a UNESCO heritage site. Whilst it wasn’t quite winter proper, there was a sharp bite in the air, and I was imagining what it’s like when the Baltic Sea freezes over. The new Oodi library - an architectural gem - was a highlight, featuring an uber cool area where locals play chess: from novices right up to aficionados. Temppeliaukio Church was a most unexpected find during my 24-hour stay. It is described as the most interesting church in Helsinki and for good reason, as it is built directly into solid rock.

I would encourage colleagues to consider applying for Erasmus+ Staff Training and particularly to engage with our UNIC partners as there are some exciting opportunities to work with nine other universities. I wish to acknowledge the generous support of our International Office at UCC, particularly Clare Murphy. Also, colleagues in the UNIC office at UCC, my managers and colleagues who gave great encouragement along the way. Kiitoksia / Thank you! 

- Louise Brown