Humak and Xamk to launch an impactful educational partnership with an international degree programme in Wellbeing Tourism

The degree programme combines Humak’s expertise in community education with Xamk’s expertise in the tourism and entrepreneurship sectors. Humak’s contribution to the degree programme focuses on the human, cultural and community dimensions of wellbeing tourism, whilst Xamk brings entrepreneurial and business skills to table; skills needed to turn these insights into profitable enterprises.

“This degree programme represents a natural progression from the perspective of both Humak and Xamk. It serves as an excellent pathway to a Master’s degree for both Humak’s Adventure and Outdoor Education community education alumni and Xamk’s Bachelor of Hospitality Management graduates. We hope the degree will also attract entirely new students,” explains Kim Lindblad, Humak’s International Affairs Manager.

Community educators strengthen participation and a sense of community within various groups, organisations and communities. Community educators graduating from this programme, which is run in collaboration between Humak and Xamk, develop activities by planning, implementing and evaluating services, projects and initiatives.

“We wanted to combine our institutions’ specialist expertise in a way that promotes students’ employability. Based on our background research, an increasing number of people are interested in the wellbeing of communities and the environment, as well as tourism. We are confident that this programme will meet this growing demand,” says Sikke Leinikki, Head of Business Services at Humak.

The degree programme also meets the needs of Finland’s growing nature tourism sector, which requires versatile and open-minded professionals who are able to combine business management with the themes of sustainability and wellbeing.

Humak’s strong expertise in community development, nature-based pedagogy and the promotion of wellbeing naturally complements Xamk’s strengths in the tourism business, entrepreneurship, customer experience development and marketing. Together, Humak and Xamk form a unique entity that combines people-centred development, work-based expertise and regional impact in a way that is virtually unrivalled in the Finnish higher education sector.

“It’s great to be able to work together on this multidisciplinary educational programme. We believe it will benefit the entire sector and bring fresh perspectives – there is also the potential to create entirely new business opportunities,” says Helkamari Knaapi, Director of Education at Xamk.

Xamk’s contribution to the degree comprises 30 credits. Students’ dissertations are supervised by Humak.