Staff Week was organised successfully first time ever online

This year we had 63 participants in total from 36 different partner universities all the way from Chile to Thailand. 

Last year, Staff Week had to be canceled at the last minute due to the pandemic situation. This year Staff Week was organised first time fully online by Haaga-Helia International Services. 

During the three days, participants had the opportunity to network, share experiences and best practices with their colleagues around the world, get new ideas and perspectives for their own work and learn more about Haaga-Helia.

Three afternoons for collaboration and wellbeing

Staff Week started on Tuesday with Haaga-Helia President Teemu Kokko’s welcoming speech. The keynote speaker philosopher and researcher Frank Martela spoke about well-being at work through engagement and job crafting. 

Wednesday’s programme was organised in collaboration with 3UAS: Haaga-Helia, Laurea and Metropolia Universities of Applied Sciences. This day was named Module Day, where guests got to participate in workshops and discuss topical themes with colleagues from their own field. 

Thursday, the last day of Staff Week, was about support, skills and cooperation. Anna Nikina-Ruohonen, Eija Kärnä and Eliisa Sarkkinen presented Haaga-Helia’s RD project “TT TOY – AI is here” and hosted an interactive workshop. This was a great occasion for Haaga-Helia to present our RD activities and share the findings of our research also in our international partner network. In the afternoon, Haaga-Helia’s Career and Recruiting Services Timo Lampikoski and Veera Partanen introduced a very topical subject and hosted a discussion about how to be focused, productive and avoid Zoom fatigue. 

The event ended with the Head of International Relations Sirpa Holmström’s closing words.

- During these extraordinary times, our international network has become more important than ever, we collaborate ‘in sickness and in health'. I would like to thank all of you for joining and contributing to this fantastic event with your experiences, your expertise and your insights. We did this together, Holmström said. 

Versatile programme received praise from the guests 

Participants praised the professional organisation of the event and that the programme was topical and versatile, and they found tools and new perspectives to manage current and new challenges. 

Haaga-Helia International Services wants to thank everyone who helped in bringing International Staff Week 2021 together. During these extraordinary times, our international network has become even more important and Haaga-Helia International Staff Week proved that people have the need to come together to share experiences and collaborate.

For further information, please contact International Affairs Specialists Maarit Mesiniemi and Heli Siponen: staffexchange@haaga-helia.fi