Abstract:

In Finland the higher education sector is polarised into academic universities and universities of applied sciences with different tasks and profiles. The higher education institute specific goals need to focus on teaching methods and contents as well as research, development and innovations (R&D&I).

In Finnish Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) a new pedagogical approach is raising. In this study, a practical research co-operation between Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences and the local municipalities is described as an example of student-centered collaboration.

At Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences it has been taken many steps towards reforming the conventional “classroom teaching” pedagogy and implementing the LCCE® methodology. This new pedagogical approach provides integration between theoretical lessons and practical exercises in an authentic environment, meaning that students may work with companies and other stakeholders to solve problems or develop new ideas, while being guided by teachers and R&D staff.

The City of Kotka has a strong emphasis towards sustainable development. The Aalborg Commitment is the frame for the actions taken, such as development of regional climate and energy efficiency strategies as well as sustainable development target plan. At Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences, Energy Technology Engineering education gives competences in environmental friendly and economical energy production and in innovative energy technology and engineering. One part of the curriculum is Energy Efficiency, including energy audits in all kind of facilities. The purpose of energy auditing is to analyse the energy use of the facility being audited, to work out the potential for energy savings and present a profitability calculation of saving proposals.

In this paper, a concrete co-operation between the energy technology university students and staff and the municipality representatives focusing on saving energy and improving energy efficiency in real estates, is described. A project, Step to Ecosupport, was carried out in 2013 – 2014. Within this project, several energy audits to the various targets were implemented by the energy technology engineering students, guided by the academic professional staff. Both the students and the staff involved collected knowledge and experiences that are inconceivable to achieve by any other way.

Keywords:

Energy efficiency, energy audit, municipality, co-operation, pedagogy, research.