The Student Union METKA, together with Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, has received a project grant of 313,000 euros from the Ministry of Education and Culture. The project is called Metkasti Metropoliassa Kohti Kukoistusta (MMKK). The grant is part of a special grant outlined by the Minister of Science and Culture Antti Kurvinen, which is intended to promote the studies and well-being of students in higher education during a Covid-19 pandemic.
Grants were awarded in December for 32 projects. Cooperation between students and Universities plays a key role in the projects.
In an article published on the Government’s website, Minister Kurvinen says that he is very concerned about the well-being of students, which has deteriorated further with the pandemic.
– A student needs community, not loneliness. Covid-19 time has hampered both studies and free time. Additional measures are needed to promote the well-being of students locally and nationally, Kurvinen says.
The amount will be used at Metropolia to develop low-threshold student welfare services. One more study psychologist has just been hired by Metropolia. Study psychologist Emmi Arponen works on Myllypuro and Myyrmäki campuses, but students from other campuses can also contact her, for example in the form of online meetings.
At METKA, the grant will be used to develop student community, as Covid-19 has emphasized the importance of the university community in supporting the progress of studies. The amount will be used to recruit two temporary employees for METKA: a community specialist and an event coordinator/producer. The recruit for the community specialist is on now.
The project aims to enable students to engage in community activities such as clubs, peer-reviewed study groups, and hobbies such as music and exercise.
As part of the project, METKA will meet Metropolia’s staff and students, such as tutors and tutor teachers.
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