International Research Conference brought together participants from around the world
The 4th International Research Conference organized by SEAMK Nursing and Bicol University was held on 26-27 of March. The event was free to attend both on-site in SEAMK’s campus and virtually via Zoom. All together, the event gathered around 300 participants from Finland, Taiwan, Indonesia, Uganda and the Philippines. Among the attendees were students and staff from both SEAMK and Bicol as well as experts from the field of health care.
The two-day event started with opening words from SEAMK’s Senior Lecturer Raila Kärnä, who was part of the organising committee. The attendees were encouraged to meet colleagues, connect with new people and be open to new ideas and perspectives.
– This event is special because it brings students and experts together from all around the world. No matter how far apart we are, we can still be together, said Raila Kärnä.
After the opening words the attendees saw rising of both Finnish and Philippines flags and heard their national anthems. The welcoming words were heard from both SEAMK’s president/CEO Jaakko Hallila as well as Bicol University’s president Baby Boy Benjamin D. Nebre III.
– This partnership (SEAMK and Bicol University) has already produced great results so far. Our conferences provide a great basis for continued cooperation. We don’t just sign contracts; we also are investing for a long partnership, said Jaakko Hallila.
In his welcoming words president Jaakko Hallila also recalled his visit to Bicol University and humorously joked about the mutual love of karaoke between Finns and Filipinos. Bicol’s president Baby Boy Benjamin D. Nebres III also welcomed all participants and hoped that this conference will mark the start of new professional and personal relationships among the participants.
Internationality is one of SEAMK’s values
The event included keynote and plenary speakers as well as open forums. Events keynote speaker was SEAMK’s Principal Lecturer Mari Salminen-Tuomaala. Her presentation “Strengthening International Cooperation and Motivating Learning in the Online Environment” focused on different ways to teach in online environments. In her presentation she talked about international online education, its foundational components, the motivation of students and pros and cons of taking synchronous and asynchronous classes. Salminen-Tuomaala also brought up virtual simulations and its usefulness in teaching.
Other speakers in the event were Dr. Ofelia Samar-Sy (Bicol University, Philippines), Dr.med, Dr. Abraham Simatupang (Universitas Kristen, Indonesia), Prof. Hsing-Hao Wu (National University of Kaohsiung, Taiwan) and Senior Lecturer Terhi Voltti (SEAMK, Finland).
Alongside Raila Kärnä, SEAMK’s organizing committee for the event also included Pauliina Oja-Lipasti (Senior Lecturer), Marjut Asunmaa (Head of Degree programme in Nursing), Andres Mendez (International Facilitator) and Petri Keskinen (Jelppari).
SEAMK thanks everyone involved in planning and organising this event as well as all the participants and speakers. Hopefully all participants gained valuable insights from the conference that can be applied in their work and studies.
