NEWS
Finland hosts RUN-EU Knowledge Mission
3 November 2026
The RUN-EU Knowledge Mission 2026 will bring together researchers, academic staff, industry representatives and regional stakeholders from across the RUN European University (RUN-EU) alliance for an international experience dedicated to knowledge exchange, collaboration and innovation. Hosted by Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK), the event will take place from 10 to 12 November 2026, in Hämeenlinna and Forssa, Finland.
Designed to strengthen cooperation between RUN-EU universities and their regional ecosystems, the Knowledge Mission offers an opportunity to connect people from different disciplines, institutions, and professional backgrounds, and to exchange expertise, experiences, and innovative approaches to shared challenges.
At the heart of the initiative is the ambition to bring research and practice closer together, creating meaningful connections between higher education, industry and society. Through discussions, networking opportunities and exchanges with participants from across Europe, the Knowledge Mission aims to inspire new ideas, identify common interests and lay the foundations for future collaborations and joint initiatives.
By bringing together diverse perspectives and areas of expertise, the event also strengthens RUN-EU’s European network and promotes knowledge exchange between regions. These interactions can open doors to new partnerships, collaborative research opportunities and innovative solutions that respond to regional needs while addressing broader European challenges.
Taking place alongside the RUN-EU Innovation Day, DAVE Seminar and RUN-EU Student Research Colloquium, the Knowledge Mission forms part of three days of activities at HAMK dedicated to connecting knowledge, people and ideas across the alliance.
The RUN-EU Knowledge Mission reflects the alliance’s commitment to fostering international cooperation, strengthening regional innovation ecosystems and transforming shared expertise into meaningful impact. By encouraging collaboration across institutional, disciplinary and geographical boundaries, RUN-EU continues to build a more connected and innovative European higher education community.
Join the RUN-EU Knowledge Mission in Finland and discover new opportunities to connect, collaborate and innovate across Europe.

Programme
10 November · Tuesday
HAMK Design Factory Stage
8h30 – 9h00 · Registration and Networking
9h00 – 9h30 · Welcome to HAMK and the Knowledge Mission
9h30 – 10h15 · Entrepreneurship Keynote: From Ideas to Opportunity
10h15 – 11h15 · Entre Ment: Connecting Entrepreneurship Across RUN-EU
11h15 – 11h45 · Innovation Keynote: Building the Future through Innovation
11h45 – 12h00 · Connecting the Dots: Morning Reflections and Introduction to the Afternoon
HAMK cafeteria
12h00 – 13h00 · Lunch
HAMK Design Factory Stage
13h00 – 16h00 · RUN-EU Student Research Colloquium: Ideas for Tomorrow
16h00 – 17h00 · Welcome to HAMK – Discover the campus
HAMK cafeteria
17h15 – 19h15 · Cultural Evening: Connecting Across the World
11 November · Wednesday
7h45 – 8h45 · Bus transfer to Forssa
Agora
9h00 – 9h15 · Welcome to RUN-EU Innovation Day and DAVE final seminar
9h15 – 9h45 · DAVE results: Learning from collaboration
9h45 – 10h15 · Keynote: The Power of Synergy Thinking
10h15 – 11h00 · Company Perspectives: Innovation in Practice
11h00 – 11h15 · Startup Spotlight: SIMPLEON
11h15 – 11h45 · From Inspiration to Action: Workshop Introduction
HAMK cafeteria
11h45 – 13h00 · Lunch
Agora
13h00 – 16h00 · RUN-EU Innovation Day Workshop: Co-creating Future Solutions
16h00 – 17h00 · Bus transfer to Hämeenlinna
Piparkakkutalo
18h00 – 20h30 · Networking Dinner
12 November · Thursday
PARKKI Business Park
9h00 – 10h30 · Regional Entrepreneurship in Practice: Visit to PARKKI Business Park
10h30 – 11h00 · Bus transfer to HAMK Visamäki
HAMK cafeteria
11h00 – 13h00 Lunch and networking
HAMK Design Factory Stage
13h00 – 15h45 · Entrepreneurship Workshop
HAMK Design Factory Stage
15h45 – 16h00 · Closing of the RUN-EU Knowledge Mission
Hosted by
HAMK, Finland