Goal of the programme
Project-type work has long traditions. Nowadays international project management is considered as a work method to meet the challenges of increasingly international operating environments. There are various types of projects, therefore programme aims to focus on so called soft and development project activities with great emphasis on the regional development, transnational and cross-border projects.
Number of international financing institutions funds the projects addressing sustainable development issues at local, regional or transnational level.
European Union is an example, where implementation of regional and external policy is realized via international project cooperation.
EU programmes and other international financing institutions encourage independent development in all sectors (business, environment, social and wealth fare, regional development, etc.) and offer resources for the implementation of projects.
For successful implementation of these types of projects there is need for specialists who know how international financing institutions operate, what are their specific requirements, how to cooperate and lead various international stakeholders involved in project process, how to monitor and report international project activities.
During the programme students will learn International project management standards and specific standards of European Union that will help to work successfully in the project from the stage of initial project idea by writing a project plan or application throughout all the cycles of the project.
Barents region wide cross-border project cooperation has remarkable achievements and during the programme it will be used as case model to illustrate the nature of international project management at the transnational level.
After the completion of the course IPM students work as project planners, project coordinators, project managers or project consultants in different international activities in private and public sector. The advantage of the programme is very valuable and practical knowledge on how the project tendering is carried out, how the project planning, implementation and evaluation is made in EU and other international projects.
In addition to the knowledge on IPM students gain significant hands-on experience with the help of various project exercises, participation in real projects and development of international project proposal (plan) in cooperation with various international stakeholders.
Outcome
Certificate issued by Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences, approved by Ministry of Education in Finland, identifying specialisation in International Project Management.
Content
The following key topics are introduced during the programme
- Introduction to International Project Management: helps to understand the dynamics of international project activity
- Project Cycle Management: students learn project management standard used in EU programmes and other donor institutions
- Intercultural Communication: gives the tools for effective cross-cultural management
- Integrated Project Assignment: case exercise by teams developing a full package of a project plan and project application
- Project Financial Management: helps to understand the key principles of project budgeting
- Human Resource Management: focuses on team building and project leadership
- Project related International Funding: teaches the organization of project event ( seminar/workshop) in a professional manner and will focus on a selected issues
- Barents Region Project Cooperation: includes a study trip to Russia, Murmansk region
- Field Specific Studies and Work: is a practical training in private or public organization
Practical Training
As a part of the studies, students are encouraged to perform the field specific studies and work in an international project in order to examine the project management tools acquired during the theoretical studies. Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences is supporting IPM students in finding appropriate training places in international organisations and international projects as well as supervising and tutoring the students during their practical training.
Implementation of the Program
IPM program is organised under the power of the Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences, School of Business and Administration in cooperation with the Finnbarents unit and delivered by the teachers and professionals with knowledge & experience from the field:
FINNBARENTS (FB) – joint international project unit of Lapland University and Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences. FB aims to act as a regional expert on EU Northern Dimension and specializes in know-how of regional economy. It also works as a link between international financial institutions, projects and local actors. Main emphasis within FB is put on cross-border cooperation between Northern Europe and North-west Russia
www.finnbarents.fi