ALMA customer days held 25.08.2011, saw Mr. Heikki Kurki , head of Automation Engineering at Oulu University of Applied Sciences, give a presentation on "ALMA in educational use".

There are nearly 9000 students at Oulu University of Applied Sciences, third of them studying Technology (2011). Technology units are located in Oulu and Raahe. Technology Degree Program offers eight different specialisation options: Automation Technology, Medical Engineering, Mechanical and Production Engineering (Oulu and Raahe), Laboratory Sciences, Construction Technology, Construction Technician studies, Building Services Engineering and Information Technology. In addition, Oulu University of Applied Sciences offers Master’s Degree Programmes in Construction, Mechanical and Production Engineering and IT- field.

Automation Technology studies last for 4 years and require 240 ECTS credits, students graduate as Bachelors of Engineering. Every year 35 young people start in the program, 5-10 in adult education. The training program focuses on process, bulk, building and mechanical automation as well as information systems. After graduation students can work in various industries in design, programming, commissioning and maintenance tasks as well as in managerial positions or project planning. Practical training part of the program is worth 30 credits or 5 months. At ALMA customer days Mr.Kurki emphasized, to the employers present, the importance of training opportunities: "Let’s all share the responsibility for training new professionals and maintaining the industry’s attractiveness."

The Laboratory of Automation Technology has chosen ALMA because it has a strong usage level within the region’s companies and it is a tool in factories and engineering offices. It also has an important role in Bachelor’s thesis and in internships.

The Laboratory of Automation Technology is using ALMA for automation design in instrumentation engineering course. Central to the course is project management. Students need to determine the target design, work flow and standardization. All documents should be placed in ALMA. Through ALMA, identifying the physical structure of the automation system becomes easier: "ALMA’s code for conduct guides the student to the correct solutions for the design", says Mr.Kurki .

For over 10 years, every year around 30 students at Oulu University of Applied Sciences have been involved with ALMA. "Versatile tool that is designed for professional use, is an important motivator for students", Mr.Kurki underlines.

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For more information please contact: ALMA Consulting Ltd.: Export Manager Niko Pahkala, tel. +358 403573194, email: niko.pahkala(at)alma.fi

Oulu University of Applied Sciences is internationally networked and influential part of society in Northern Finland. It is known to work closely with companies and employers, taking into consideration the needs of business life, working as an innovative partner as well as a developer of industries, entrepreneurships and well- being. www.oamk.fi/english/

ALMA® is a totally integrated engineering and knowledge management system for life-cycle handling of technical data, documentation, production line efficiency and maintenance management. ALMA® was introduced to the market in 1986 and it is registered trade mark in 13 countries.

ALMA Product Solutions: http://www.alma.fi/In_english/product_solutions
ALMA Services: http://www.alma.fi/In_english/services

Alma Consulting Ltd. develop, market, deliver and maintain ALMA® knowledge management systems and related services for engineering, maintenance of technical data and events information. The company is well established as an expertise and resource network operation in deliveries, training and product development.