Together towards a hope-centred future working life

What is your view on a hope-centred future working life? Laurea University of Applied Sciences invites you to explore the concept of hope-centredness in the world of education and work from individual, organisational, and labour market perspectives. Focusing on hope encourages individuals to set clear, attainable goals (goal thinking), develop multiple strategies to achieve them (pathways thinking), and believe in their own ability to succeed (agency of thought).
 
By cultivating hope, individuals gain the psychological strength to navigate challenges, achieve job satisfaction, and build a more meaningful and prosperous working future. In any work environment, hope is central to individual, organisational and societal thriving, fostering resilience, creativity, and sustained engagement in career planning and institutional development.

“It is all about human encounters and interaction in which meaning, direction, and hope are constructed together”, Dr Mika Launikari from Laurea points out.

So, it's that time of the year again: Laurea's annual event is just around the corner!

Welcome to Laurea’s International Week 2026 – A joint event with JobFest and PIONEER Festival From 26 to 30 January 2026, Laurea will be hosting its International Week, with the theme 'Together towards a hope-centred future working life'.

This time, it is being organised in close cooperation with Laurea's most important recruitment event, JobFest (JobFest 2026 - Recruiting event - Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulu) Moreover, the International Week is held in the spirit of the PIONEER Alliance Festival.
Laurea International Week is a recognised initiative that highlights the value of international education, employment and cultural exchange. This annual event is an important arena for educational institutions, organisations and communities, offering benefits such as promoting global understanding and fostering cross-cultural awareness and appreciation.

Bringing together Laurea students, employers and PIONEER Alliance members
“International experience boosts employability by showcasing adaptability, global awareness and communication skills. Many students have accessed global job opportunities and stood out as competitive candidates in the international job market by studying or interning abroad”, states Mrs Saara Suominen (Specialist, Company Cooperation).
At this event, students can find out about the companies, expand their professional networks, discover new employment opportunities, as well as get hope and insights for their own future careers. Companies share information about career opportunities and find out what Laurea students expect from working life.

Moreover, this year, we are offering Laurea students the opportunity to find out about PIONEER Alliance partner universities by introducing your own institutions at the JobFest on the Tikkurila (26-27 January 2026) and Leppävaara (28-30 January 2026) campuses. The PIONEER Alliance plays a key role in future-oriented international education.

“Networking, engaging discussions, and career exploration with key partner companies have been highlights much appreciated at Laurea’s previous events”, sums up Mrs Sini Aalto-Friman (Senior Specialist, International Services).

Thematic focus

“Being exposed to different cultures and languages can inspire curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning. This can lead to new academic interests or career paths, such as sustainability, global health or international relations”, says Mrs Riikka Lindholm, Laurea Head of International Services.

Therefore, the topics covered on the International Week 2026 include international competence development, career prospects and working life competences, as well as the importance of international experience in your working life.

“The overarching goal of Laurea’s International Week 2026 is to encourage students and professionals from across Europe to engage with diverse perspectives, helping build a more inclusive and empathetic global community. Boosting community engagement, academic cross-pollination and active networking is a task for us all, especially in the PIONEER Alliance”, summarises Dr Mika Launikari, Laurea Local Coordinator for PIONEER cooperation.

So you are welcome to visit Laurea and hopefully experience the real winter of Finland with plenty of snow.

Please note this programme is subject to change.

Practical information

Please remember to wait for the confirmation before making any travel arrangements. You will get information after the registration period is closed. There is a priority for PIONEER Alliance partners, and we expect min. 2 participants from each PIONEER University, so we get staff to present their universities during the Job Fest. Please note that there is a limited number of places. This event is the International Week of 2026 and the next similar one will be organized 2027.

The registration closes 14 Nov, 2025.