The City of Imatra is implementing Universoma in cooperation with LUT University and LAB University of Applied Sciences’ Junior University program.
The "Future Living Environments" theme includes both commercial and technical learning elements, aiming to enhance students' interest in science, research, and university studies. The junior university's activities are based on current curricula and provide studies that complement the curriculum.
As part of the partnership, Ovako will take part in workshop days at the end of October on LUT University's Lappeenranta campus. All 8th-grade students from Imatra will attend workshops organized by various companies. Each company will participate on one of the two workshop days.
Ovako's workshop will focus on topics such as metallurgy and the circular economy.
"Our aim is to teach how steel and its manufacturing process can contribute to combating climate change. We also want to highlight how everyone can participate in the steel production process by recycling at home," explains Johanna Haapasalmi, Head of Technical Customer Service at Ovako Imatra, and developer of the workshop.
In addition to the workshop, Ovako also offers students the opportunity to visit the mill. These visits will take place at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025.
Ovako has been collaborating with schools in Imatra for years, but going forward, the cooperation will be more diverse and systematic. One of Ovako's primary goals is to increase children's and young people's interest, especially in technology.
"We strongly believe that young people's enthusiasm for science and technology is key to building the future. The Universoma partnership provides us with a good opportunity to highlight the fascinating world of the steel industry and inspire young people as they consider their future career paths," says Satu Tähkä, Communications Manager at Ovako Imatra.
“It is great that we have been able to include Ovako as a partner in Universoma. Through workshops and visits, many things learned from books become concrete in the minds of children. It is also important to introduce children and young people to the operations of local industrial facilities and employers," says Minna Leinonen, the Head of Early Childhood Education in the City of Imatra.
For more information, please contact
Ovako Imatra
Communications Manager Satu Tähkä, satu.tahka@ovako.com, p. +358 40 555 6171
City of Imatra
Education and Youth Manager Minna Rovio, minna.rovio@imatra.fi, p. +358 20 617 3404 (from 4.11. on)
Head of Early Childhood Education Minna Leinonen, minna.leinonen@imatra.fi, p. +358 20 617 3515 (30.10.–1.11.)
