Active University project

The Active University project is coordinated by JAMK University of Applied Sciences. Co-producers of the project are University of Jyväskylä, Humak University of Applied Sciences and the Air Force Academy. The project is funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

The aim of the project is to develop and extend a nationwide operating model. The aim of the model is to make the study days in universities more active and communal, reduce the amount of sitting and increase the everyday activity during study days by modifying the learning environments and integrating movement into lectures.

Making study days more active at the higher education level is necessary, because only half of the students meet the physical activity recommendations. Also, university students sit on average almost 11 hours per day, and a large part of that time accumulates during the study day. Reducing sitting and making study days more active can be beneficial for overall health, but increased activity and movement can also have a positive effect on students' cognitive performance. Also, due to Covid-19 pandemic, the use of online teaching has increased, and this further increases the need to promote an active and communal university-culture. These themes are present in the Active University project.

The long-term goal of the project is that activity becomes a cross-cutting theme in all higher education institutions. During internships and after graduation students will bring this active attitude into work life and thus contribute positively to the well-being of work life.