Finding sustainable solutions for the future

Graduating from high school Chia Palkonen knew she wanted to work with technology. “I’ve always liked mathematics and when talking about where to continue my studies a friend of mine said ‘I know exactly where you should apply – Materials Processing Technology at Arcada UAS.’” Today she’s studying to become a materials specialist in demand over the world.

Even though Chia is fluent in Swedish, she never saw it as an option to study Materials Processing Technology in her mother tongue.
-Personally, I think studying in English prepares you for an international carrier, and I do not feel that it has made a big difference that I am studying in English. I also appreciate the fact that my class is so international – this contributes a lot to the learning process and the ways we work.

The programme in Materials Processing Technology has a focus on functional materials and design. “The days of an engineering student at Arcada UAS are filled with mathematics, chemistry, mechanics, language studies – and a lot of computer programs and design,” Chia laughs.
- We work to find new solutions and ways to process different functional materials, for example plastics. A great deal of the studies also have focus on the sustainable aspects and how we can reduce our ecological footprint. I find this very important, and so do my classmates. You can do so much just with recycled material, like 3D printing, that we have our own lab for here at Arcada.

To balance the theoretical knowledge gained in class Arcada’s engineers are also often found in the production laboratory, working on machines that can be found out in real working life.
The production lab is used to test the strength and sustainability of materials, how they react together and how to choose material according to the purpose of the product.

-During our studies, the practical training in real companies is included. And as a student you are always welcome in the production lab, even outside class. Our teachers are there to guide you if you have an idea or a project that you would like to work on.

After graduation, Chia sees herself working with something creative.
-One of my dreams is to work with airplanes, but knowing myself I might end up somewhere else entirely in the field. I’m excited to come to school everyday and learn something new and this is really a great degree for anyone looking to become a materials specialist.

Read more about Materials Processing Technology here.
Application is done via studyinfo.fi 14-28.3.2018
More information about application can be found here.