Six students from Laurea University of Applied Sciences participated in two international NORDPLUS Intensive Courses hosted by Turiba University in Riga in August 2026. Three Laurea students joined the “Security Risk Management” course, while three participated in “Mediation in Criminal and Civil Cases”. Both courses brought together students, lecturers and professionals from Baltic and Nordic countries, combining academic learning with practical activities and international teamwork.
Learning security risk management through hands-on experience
From 11 to 21 August, three Laurea students participated in the NORDPLUS Intensive Course “Security Risk Management”, which brought together students and lecturers from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland and Norway. The course was jointly implemented by six universities – Turiba University, Mykolas Romeris University, Tallinn University of Technology, Nord University, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences and Laurea University of Applied Sciences.
The two-week programme combined lectures and academic expertise with practical exercises, simulations, study visits and international teamwork. The aim was to provide students with a broader understanding of contemporary security challenges while giving them opportunities to apply their knowledge in practical situations.
One of the highlights was practical water survival and safety training at the Novikontas Training Centre. In a specially equipped training pool, students practised individual and team survival techniques and learned to use professional rescue equipment. The programme also included self-defence and shooting training.
For future security professionals, the international dimension of the course was particularly valuable. Security challenges increasingly cross national borders, making cooperation, exchange of experience and an understanding of different national approaches essential. Working alongside students from five Baltic and Nordic countries gave Laurea students an opportunity to develop this international perspective and establish professional connections across the region.
Developing mediation and negotiation skills across borders
Three other Laurea students participated in the NORDPLUS Intensive Course “Mediation in Criminal and Civil Cases”, held from 10 to 20 August. The course brought together 20 students from Latvia, Lithuania and Finland and was jointly implemented by Turiba University, Mykolas Romeris University, Laurea University of Applied Sciences and Satakunta University of Applied Sciences.
The programme explored mediation, restorative justice, mediation ethics, conflict analysis and communication, negotiation and the professional role of a mediator. Mediation was also examined from the perspective of Legal Design.
A strong emphasis was placed on learning by doing. Students practised different negotiation techniques, participated in multiparty negotiation exercises and developed their mediation skills through role-plays, conflict analysis, communication exercises and reflection sessions. These activities helped students strengthen active listening, negotiation, communication and conflict-resolution skills that can be applied in a wide range of professional contexts.
International learning beyond the classroom
Participation in those intensive courses offered Laurea students much more than subject-specific knowledge. Studying alongside peers from other Baltic and Nordic countries provided an opportunity to compare national perspectives, develop intercultural communication skills and experience international cooperation in practice.
The courses also demonstrate the value of long-term cooperation between Laurea and its partner universities in the Baltic Sea region. Short, intensive international programmes make it possible to bring students and lecturers from different countries together around shared professional challenges while combining academic knowledge, practical learning and international networking.
Both courses were implemented with the financial support of the NORDPLUS Programme, which promotes cooperation, mobility and joint educational development between higher education institutions in the Nordic and Baltic countries. The Security Risk Management course was implemented under Project No. NPHE-2026/10255, while the Mediation in Criminal and Civil Cases course was implemented under Project No. NPHE-2026/10271.
Suurin osa Showcasen blogeista on toteutettu osana Laurean opintojaksoja. Koko koulutustarjontaamme voi tutustua nettisivuillamme. Tarjoamme kymmenien tutkintoon johtavien koulutuksien lisäksi myös paljon täydennys- ja erikoistumiskoulutuksia sekä yksittäisiä opintojaksoja avoimen AMK:n kautta!