Features
Opportunities for foreign students
A recent news report said that Finland wants to attract more international experts by improving foreign students’ employment prospects after graduation.
According to the report, the plan is to make it easier for foreign students to seek work in Finland after they complete their studies.
A central objective of the Finnish education policy is to offer all citizens (and foreign students alike) equal opportunities to receive education and help build their future careers. And the structure of the educational system reflects these principles.
I think that for foreign students to have the opportunity and their employment prospects improved after graduation is something that should encourage those who want to further their education.
Study programmes
The Finnish educational system has often attracted admiration even from other highly advanced and well-known rich countries and it is regarded as one of the best in the world. As I keep saying, I admire the educational system very much.
According to the Study in Finland portal, Finnish higher education institutions currently offer over 500 bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes taught in English. There are also countless doctoral degree programmes.
Most of the Bachelor’s degree programmes taught in English are offered by universities of applied sciences (UAS), whereas most of the Master’s programmes taught in English are offered by universities (see www.studyinfinland.fi).
It is important to find the right programme for yourself.
Relevant subjects to study
It is always wise to study subjects that are relevant for the career path you want to pursue and, more importantly, for which there are likely to be favourable employment prospects.
According to another news report, the most popular English-language programme in recent years is the Bachelor of Health Care (Nursing) courses.
Others are Engineering and Technology; Business and Management; Computer Science and Information Technology (IT); Natural Sciences and Mathematics; and Education and Training.
Previous subjects studied
I also see the need for a foreign student to study subjects in the home country that can easily be pursued in further studies abroad.
That is, you have to choose carefully the subjects you study and have it in mind to obtain high marks or a good performance. The fact that Finland is encouraging or trying to attract foreign students does not mean it should be a dumping ground for any low level stuff (next time, I may write about the grades that can help with admission to a Finnish university).
For example, Sociology and Anthropology are quite popular subjects in Finnish universities, but as far as I know, Archaeology is not. Therefore, someone who studied archaeology may have to shift to either sociology or anthropology (which is closer to archaeology).
All in all, the subjects relating to health, technology and the natural sciences are likely to be favourable in terms of employment prospects after graduation.
Pathway Studies to Finland
Another opportunity is the UAS Pathway Studies to Finland programme, which I recently learned about and is provided by the Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) in Finland (see www.uaspath.fi).
Such a programme offers applicants a convenient way to gain admission to degree programmes in Finland.
The UAS Pathway Studies are ideal for those interested in pursuing Bachelor’s degrees in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and International Business (IB).
One can apply to a study programme and start studying at home through online in English with experienced Finnish teachers. After the first year of study (and 60 ECTS credits), you will have the chance to join the programme in Finland and complete the Bachelor’s degree in 2-4 years.
The pathway studies are fully accredited as part of the student’s degree, and in practice it means that the student will be able to continue his or her studies in Finland as a second year student.
In addition, opportunities in numerous fields await the student after graduating. He or she can even take part in internship programmes and start building their future. I found such a programme very intriguing notwithstanding the fact that the programme attracts a tuition fee. Thank you.
The writer is a Ghanaian
lecturer at the University
of Helsinki, Finland
Having initiated programs to ensure a foundation of morality, the next step is to have a picture of what success looks like. I keep saying that if you do not have a destination in mind when travelling, you can never arrive.
We therefore as a people, need to set up a development plan which all parties shall ascribe to so that no matter which party is in government, the execution of the plan will not be derailed.
This is the only way that we can make a headway in our developmental agenda. Once we have a plan we are following, it becomes a guiding tool to arrive at the destination we have set for ourselves. It becomes a project that given the necessary key milestones, will help us in monitoring progress.
The next step is to focus on pillars of development i.e. education, health, agriculture and the economy.
The common characteristic of developed countries is the level of education of its citizens.
A highly educated population provides readily available human resource for industrial growth.
A highly qualified population has the potential to innovate, creating value added products for export.
A healthy population is necessary for development. Proactive measures that can prevent epidemics for instance, must be put in place to ensure a healthy populace.
This would require a deliberate investment in health infrastructure as well as training of professionals in the health sector.
Food must be available and must also be affordable and there policies that can ensure the achievement of this objective must be vigorously pursued.
Agro-processing must be prioritised if not completely eliminate post harvest losses and also provide goods for export as part of the effort to stabilize currency.
The power of a nation depends largely on its economic growth. The reason why countries like the US and China wield a lot of influence in the world is because of their wealth.
The way out of poverty as a country, is to industrialise. We need to focus on deliberate effort to promote indigenous control over our natural resources so as to reduce repatriation of huge foreign currency out of the country.
Such initiatives will provide or make available funds for entrepreneurs to access for industrialisation. If we do not prioritise industrialisation, we will permanently not enjoy real independence as a nation because we will have to depend on them to assist in funds for our budget deficit.
Whoever controls how you run your budget literary controls you and therefore the countries who provide budgetary support, controls us. We need to get out of this situation so we can be truly.
The industrialisation cannot be established without companying infrastructure and therefore infrastructure development must be taken seriously into account.
Local expertise must be sought in the infrastructural development. The use of local expertise will help create jobs for the teeming youth the universities churn out every year.
I hope to complete this series next weekend. God bless.
NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
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AS the world becomes increasingly complex, the role of a president has become more demanding than ever.
The pressure to make life-altering decisions, manage crises, and maintain a sense of calm and composure can take a toll on a president’s mental health.
In recent years, innovative approaches like emotional surgery and emotional elysium have gained attention for their potential to support leaders in managing stress and promoting emotional well-being.
Understanding emotional surgery
Emotional surgery is a groundbreaking approach that utilises art to promote relaxation and reduce stress.
This technique involves the use of colors, geometric shapes, and abstract objects to communicate with the brain and induce a state of calmness.
By leveraging the brain’s ability to process visual information, emotional surgery can help individuals manage anxiety and stress, promoting a sense of calmness and well-being.
The benefits of emotional elysium
Emotional elysium refers to practices that promote emotional well-being and resilience.
This approach focuses on cultivating positive emotions such as gratitude, compassion, and love, to improve overall well-being.
For presidents, emotional elysium can be particularly beneficial in managing the stresses of office and promoting emotional balance.
By incorporating emotional elysium practices into their daily routine, presidents can improve their emotional regulation, increase their resilience, and enhance their overall well-being.
The impact on presidential performance
Both emotional surgery and emotional elysium have the potential to significantly impact a president’s performance.
By managing stress and promoting emotional well-being, presidents can:
- Improve decision-making: Emotional surgery and emotional elysium help presidents make more informed, rational decisions, rather than reacting impulsively to stress or emotions.
- Enhance leadership: Leaders who prioritise emotional well-being are better equipped to build strong relationships with their team and the public.
- Increase resilience: Emotional elysium practices, such as mindfulness and meditation, build resilience, enabling presidents to cope better with challenges and setbacks.
Prof. Agyeman Badu Akosa’s endorsement
Prof. Agyeman Badu Akosa, a respected figure in the medical field, has endorsed emotional surgery as a valuable tool for promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
According to him, emotional surgery can reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and enhance overall well-being.
Conclusion
In conclusion, emotional surgery and emotional elysium are two innovative approaches that have the potential to significantly impact a president’s performance.
By prioritising emotional well-being and exploring these approaches, presidents can improve decision-making, enhance leadership, and increase resilience.
As global challenges become more complex, it is essential for presidents to safeguard their mental health — and these techniques offer a promising solution.
Recommendations
- Presidents should prioritise their emotional well-being: Recognising the importance of emotional balance allows leaders to manage stress effectively.
- Emotional surgery and emotional elysium should be considered: These approaches may offer promising solutions for high-end executives whose emotional well-being affects their performance.
By embracing emotional well-being and exploring innovative interventions, presidents can optimise performance, build stronger relationships, and promote overall well-being.
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