Research

Highly educated and university eligible immigrants in universities

The INTEGRA-project examines the readiness and resources of Finnish universities to accept highly educated and university eligible immigrants who are in their integration phase. The report charts out the views of university administrators and practical actors using surveys and interviews, which are then utilized in finding out questions relating to the civic responsibility, funding and teaching, support and guidance. National recommendations for the integration of highly educated and university eligible immigrants into university studies will be drafted based on the project. The report on the results of the project will be published in spring 2021.

Responsible project leader: Peppi Taalas, peppi.taalas@jyu.fi
University teacher Aija Virtanen, aija.virtanen@jyu.fi
Project researcher Minna Bogdanoff, minna.k.bogdanoff@jyu.fi
Intern Jimi Kotkajuuri, jimi.kotkajuuri@jyu.fi
Project assistant Essi Koskela, essi.k.koskela@jyu.fi

The socialisation and participation of highly educated immigrants in the academic context

Estimated duration of the research 1.1.2020–31.12.2025.

The research conducted on the second phase of the project focuses on the learning processes of a foreign language, the social relationships and networks and the students' experiences of these themes during the project. One focus of observation is the students’ participation and possibilities to function as a member of the Finnish society. Also the pedagogical execution and functionality of the education model are examined. The research data consists of teaching material, student assignments and evaluations, interviews and interaction material gathered during the training. The gathered material can also be used in teaching, continuing education and the reports of the INTEGRA-project.

Responsible director: Peppi Taalas

Researchers:
Coordinator Marita Häkkinen (marita.h.hakkinen@jyu.fi)
Teacher Jussi Jussila (jussi.j.jussila@jyu.fi)
University teacher Lotta Kokkonen (lotta.o.kokkonen@jyu.fi)
University teacher Tuija Lehtonen (tuija.lehtonen@jyu.fi)
University teacher Nina Reiman (nina.reiman@jyu.fi)
University teacher Johanna Saario (johanna.saario@jyu.fi)
University teacher Aija Virtanen (aija.virtanen@jyu.fi)

Data Protection Account (in Finnish)

The socialisation and participation of highly educated immigrants in the Finnish university context

The research project  studies the language learning and integration experiences of immigrants with higher education degrees and experience from various perspectives. The multidisciplinary research team aims at understanding the demands and opportunities of language learning in INTEGRA, a novel language training model being developed at the University of Jyväskylä. The data are collected from the INTEGRA development project.

Further information: 
Lotta Kokkonen
tel. +358 40 805 3148
lotta.o.kokkonen@jyu.fi

INTEGRA has been presented both nationally and internationally

  • Study meeting of Finnish language teachers teaching abroad, National board of education (OPH). Jyväskylä 9. - 11.8.2022.
  • NORDAND 15: Nordic Languages as a Second Language, University of Reykjavik, Reykjavik 24.–26.5.2022.
  • Language Centre Days 2022, University of Vaasa. 17. - 19.5.2022.
  • Integration refugees of higher education institutions -webinaari. Der Deutsche Akademische Austauschdienst (DAAD) 21.2.2022.
  • AFinLAn 50-year symposium 2021. University of Jyväskylä 11. - 13.11.2021.
  • Integration 2020 -web seminar. Ministry of employment and the economy, ministry of the interior, AMIFi, STEA, Helsinki city, Monika-Naiset. 25. - 26.11.2020
  • Language Education for Social Justice Summer School and Conference in Applied Language Studies. University of Jyväskylä 1. - 3.6.2020.
  • Higher Education Values in Practice - Integration of highly skilled refugees and at-risk academics in Europe - a joint stakeholder event organized by GREET and Academic Refuge projects, European Committee of the Regions, Brussels. 13.-14.6.2019
  • Staff Exchange and Partner Week 2019: Access and admission of international students to higher education, University of Jyväskylä 5.6.2019.
  • Language Centre Days 2019, Hanken Svenska Handelshögskolan, Aalto university and the University of Helsinki, Helsinki 6.–7.6.2019.
  • NORDAND 14: Nordic Languages as a Second Language, University of Copenhagen, Kööpenhamina 27.–29.5.2019.
  • LIF2019 – The 6th International Language in Focus Conference: Language, Research, and Teaching in the 21st Century, Dubrovnik 2.–4.5.2019.
  • ReCLaS (Research Collegium for Language in Changing Society) meeting: Migrants in Nordic working life – second language needs, skills and use, University of Jyväskylä 29.11.2018.
  • EUCEN Autumn Seminar 2018: Embracing Cultural Diversity in University Lifelong Learning, Barcelona 15.–16.11.2018.
  • AFinLAn autumn symposium, the University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu 9.–10.11.2018.
  • LTRC 2018: 40th Language Testing Research Colloquium, Auckland (New Zealand) 2.–6.7.2018.
  • NOREK (Nordplus programme) networking meeting, JSBE, University of Jyväskylä 20.6.2018.
  • International spring days for higher education (Global responsibility: Supporting integration path of migrant prospective students in Finnish higher education), Jyväskylä 18.5.2018.
  • Erasmus+ Staff Training week: Higher Education Supporting Refugees in Europe (Socio-Economic Integration-Inclusion in the labour market), Sapienza University, Rome 16.–20.4.2018.
  • Hankemylly – Projects related to immigration and adaptation in Central Finland, Jyväskylä 8.2.2018.
  • Erasmus+ Staff Training Week: Migrants and refugees in higher education in European universities, University of Jyväskylä 15.–19.1.2018.
  • AFinLAn autumn symposium, Turku 13.11.2017.
  • The University of Eastern Finland MAMUEF pilot (PROMEQ-concortion sub project) educational meeting about higher education for refugees, Kuopio 9.11.2017.
  • Erasmus+ Seminar: Better Integration of Refugees and Migrants in the Nordic and Baltic Region, National Agency of Education, Helsinki 10.–12.10.2017.