Tampere University of Applied Sciences

Who are we

Tampere University is one of the most multidisciplinary universities in Finland. Almost all internationally recognised fields of study are represented at our university. We bring together research and education in technology, health, and society. Tampere University awards nearly 4,000 degrees annually. About one-third of them are awarded in technological fields and about a quarter in social sciences. The unit of Information and Knowledge Management does research on the use and adoption of digital technologies in both education and private sectors. Some of the key topics of research include Blockchain and micro-credentials.

Why we are participating in the Project

Tampere University has already started piloting micro-credentials via MicroHE and ECIU university projects. Although some micro-credentials have already been created and delivered, the overall knowhow and uptake of micro-credential is still in developmental stage in Tampere University. MicroCredX has the potential to make a coherent contribution to co-created jointly developed short learning programs and to ensure that learners truly benefit from micro-credentials.

Our Role in the Project

Tampere University specifically focuses on the awareness building of micro-credentials, their key criteria, their modalities, and recognition strategies. Tampere University is an active member of ECIU university alliance, and we leverage the knowhow of best practices on micro-credentialing and verifiable digital credentials.

Our Team

Henri Pirkkalainen

Henri Pirkkalainen

Associate Professor

Henri Pirkkalainen is an Associate Professor of Information and Knowledge Management at Tampere University, Tampere, Finland. He leads micro-credentials workpackage in ECIU University and contributes to the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) with micro-credential project MicroBlock. He is the editor for the Scandinavian Journal of Information Systems.

Miiko Siivonen

Miiko Siivonen

Doctoral Researcher

Miiko Siivonen M.Sc. is doctoral researcher in the unit of Information and Knowledge Management at Tampere University where he focuses on gamification and digitalization of learning. His prior experience includes projects related to digital learning in different levels of education.