University of Oulu awarded UNIC Joint Master’s programmes RePIC and SEOS in the category of Succeeding Together

Each year, the University of Oulu presents awards to individuals or projects within the university community that embody the university’s values. The awards are given in three categories reflecting these values: creating new, taking responsibility, and succeeding together. The university value 'succeeding together' was exemplified by two UNIC joint master’s programmes, Joint Master - Redesigning the Post-Industrial City (RePIC) and Joint Master - Superdiversity in Education, Organisations and Society (SEOS). The award for degree programmes was received by Professor Helka-Liisa Hentilä, Project Manager Marian Tumanyan, Doctoral Researcher Melinda Russial and Solution Designer Johanna Liimatainen.

According to the award citation, the programmes – created through collaboration between European University UNIC as well as several faculties and units of the University of Oulu – are a pioneering demonstration of multidisciplinarity, international appeal, and the ability to succeed together. These programmes enable students to study at several universities during their master’s degree. According to Project Manager Marian Tumanyan, the award in category “succeeding together” is very meaningful for all partners involved in the development of the programmes: “Getting an award from the rector for the SEOS program, for exemplary implementation of the value "succeeding together", means a lot for the recognition of the program and the effort which has been put on it for several years. It is significant both for the specialists and partner entities who have worked on it, to have the work valued, and for the awareness which it brings to the program.”

Key personnel of the UNIC joint master's programmes RePIC and SEOS Solution Designer Johanna Liimatainen (left), Doctoral Researcher Melinda Russial, Project Manager Marian Tumanyan and Professor Helka-Liisa Hentilä received the award in the University of Oulu Opening ceremony on 10th of September, 2025.

UNIC Joint Master’s Programmes embody values and mission of the European University

The first joint master’s degree programme created with UNIC partners reflects well mission of UNIC to enhance social impact and improvement by training experts in urban development and engaging UNIC Cities with the study programme. The RePIC programme, now in its third year, has attracted wide interest among applicants. Professor Helka-Liisa Hentilä sends great thanks to all colleagues and partners in Oulu and across the UNIC alliance: “The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programme Redesigning the Post-Industrial City (MSc RePIC) has required — and continues to require — extensive collaboration both within the University of Oulu and with various partners and stakeholders. Our warmest thanks go to the other UNIC universities and their partner cities, as well as to the enthusiastic students who have embraced the opportunity to grow into experts in sustainable urban development.”

The UNIC joint master’s degree programme offering expanded this Autumn when the first students of SEOS started their studies. Like RePIC, SEOS also embodies the core values of UNIC: inclusion and superdiversity. Establishing an international joint degree programme among eight partner universities has not been without its challenges, but the commitment to advancing superdiversity has motivated those responsible to continue developing the initiative.

“Developing a new joint Master's degree program is not an easy task and not one which can be achieved by individual efforts only. Developing SEOS program required multi-stakeholder collaborations, successful communication between partners at all stages of the process, negotiating every small and big aspect of the program. We needed to discuss, negotiate and agree everything, such as the actual name of the program, the student path, courses to be taught, the intake number of students, and so on. It also required overcoming structural obstacles which can be present when universities from different countries collaborate.”, summarises Project Manager Marian Tumanyan about the SEOS development and her experiences in the creation of the programme.

RePIC and SEOS are established to make a difference

Doctoral Researcher and teacher in SEOS programme Melinda Russial is inspired by the international teaching collaboration and hopes that it is a way to make a difference: “It has been really inspiring to work with the partner universities on building out this vision. So much more is possible when we combine our experiences towards the shared project of global justice and in celebration of diverse ways of knowing and being. We hope that our work with SEOS can help draw attention in a variety of European academic contexts to the enriching possibilities for positive social transformation through collaboration, care, and authentic and equitable diversity.” 

Key personnel from both programmes are very grateful for the award and recognition from the University of Oulu and they will send their sincere thanks to all UNIC partners involved this achievement case. The success story of RePIC and SEOS will encourage teachers and academics to develop education and create international collaborations within UNIC and beyond the alliance.  

Project Marian Tumanyan (middle) and Doctoral Researcher Melinda Russial (right) were very grateful for getting this level recognition from the University.