The Metropolia on the Move project will create conditions and ways to activate learning, increase every day physical activity and lower the threshold for sweaty exercise. The growing need for community in the long run will also be met.
The Student Union of Metropolia University of Applied Sciences METKA has received funding from the Ministry of Education and Culture’s Higher Education on the move program for a project aimed at activating the daily lives of Metropolia’s students. The operating model has already been piloted in Myllypuro through the MyActive Campus project. With the funding, operations will expand to all of Metropolia’s four campuses. METKA is implementing the project in cooperation with Metropolia.
METKA’s project coordinator Miika Kyllönen:
We strive to create the best possible conditions for campuses for both everyday activity and sweaty exercise – without forgetting community. The long-term goal is for physical activity to blend into a natural part of students ’daily lives and lifestyles. In this case, studying and other everyday life is active: sitting is paused and positions are changed regularly, stairs are chosen instead of an elevator, and so on. We want to lower the threshold for participation, especially for those who, in principle, do not experience exercise or sports as their own.
The main theme is the involvement of students. Students are involved in different phases of the project. We want to hear views from different campuses, disciplines and students from different backgrounds. This gives the widest possible picture of what kind of things students want from Metropolia on the Move.
Essi Lumme, vice-president of the Finnish Student Sports Federation:
Students are the best experts on their campus. They know how to tell the best places to increase mobility and support everyday activity. Extensive involvement of different groups of students also provides a comprehensive picture of what solutions are needed to support everyday activity. When students are involved in the implementation of the project, the solutions of the project will become a stronger part of the study sheet.
Project funding has been granted conditionally for three years, ie an extension must be applied for annually. During the first year, the project will focus on digital solutions and services. Various options are currently being explored for a mobile app that supports mobility and community, which would be available to all Metropolia students. Other activities are also planned and developed continuously. The measures and progress of the project will be closely communicated.
Metropolia on the Move in a nutshell:
- Activating studying, teaching and the studying environment
- Encouraging to an active lifestyle and increasing community spirit
- Creating conditions for everyday activity and sweaty exercise
The aim is to improve students’ well-being and their ability to study and work.
The Finnish Student Sports Federation supports and assists in the implementation of local projects.
More information about the Metropolia on the Move project:
Project Coordinator Miika Kyllönen
miika.kyllonen [at] metkaweb.fi
This post is also available in Suomi.