Sports cooperation for higher education institutions in Tampere

The Tampere region higher education institutions, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Tampere University of Technology and University of Tampere, are planning joint sports services for their students and staff. The aim is to start the first joint services, sports courses, in September 2011. The joint services diversify the sports possibilities offered by the higher education institutions and reduce overcrowding at certain sports facilities. The aim is to improve the students' and staff's sports possibilities.

In the statements of the legislation on universities and universities of applied sciences, the Finnish parliament requires the government to follow how higher education institutions organise sports services for students and if necessary take measures to promote students' sports possibilities. According to the government's decision in principle, higher education institutions are to construct a wellbeing strategy based on their overall strategy, and it also has to include the sports supply for students and staff. The higher education institutions increase their regional cooperation to ensure the sports and wellbeing services.

In the Tampere Region, the higher education cooperation on development of joint sports services started in the autumn 2009. A work group was established for the development work with representatives from the higher education sports services, students, City of Tampere and Finnish Student Sports Federation.

The work group has made the initial reports on regional higher education sports facilities and services. Based on them, the work group has stated that it is realistic to start the first joint services in September 2011. At first, students and staff can participate in joint sports courses. Increase in the use of Kauppi outdoor area and development of TAMK's sports services to an equivalent level with the universities have been set to special objectives. A future objective is to achieve joint use of sports services in Tampere campuses (Hervanta, city centre and Kauppi).

The work group has been unanimous in its work and states that production and use of sports services according to jointly agreed rules benefit all parties. The City of Tampere has a significant role as maintainer of regional sports areas and facilities, and its participation in the group has been considered highly positive. The presidents and rectors of the higher education institutions have stated that development of sports services can progress in accordance with the objectives set by the work group.

Further information:
Esko Tirkkonen, work group chair
Sports Expert, TAMK
esko.tirkkonen@tamk.fi
tel. 050 5932 552