The Project Is Doing Well – Movement Is Visible and Tangible
During the spring, special emphasis has been placed on strengthening an active operational culture. The support networks at both TAU and TAMK have brought experts together, and the activities are seen as meaningful: they increase awareness of the importance of movement, inspire experimentation, enable peer-supported discussions, and provide concrete ideas for teaching.
In teaching, movement is already well integrated. According to a survey conducted among teaching staff in spring 2026:
- 99% of teachers break up sitting at least occasionally
- about 82% use functional, movement-based teaching methods
- as many as 93% want to further develop their skills in integrating movement
Students have also been widely reached. For example, the Physical Activity and Well-being course attracted hundreds of registrations, and both Sports tutoring and the Study Boost small groups were implemented as planned.
Concrete Actions in Everyday Life
The project has implemented many practical measures that are directly visible in the daily lives of students and staff:
- The MoveMate community has continued to grow (433 members), making it easier than ever to find a companion for physical activity
- The support network for student organisations and clubs has been established and there are approx. 70 members
- Physical activity is increasingly considered in campus development
In addition, community events such as the Tuni Run have attracted hundreds of participants to be active together.
What’s Next?
The focus is now shifting strongly toward embedding and expanding the actions. Next steps include:
- Launching a new Movement and Activation in Teaching intranet site (English version coming soon)
- Piloting Students on the move training workshops for staff and students in autumn 2026
- Developing communication materials: including branded prompts encouraging movement such as break and stair stickers, as well as slide templates
- Creating guidelines for incorporating movement into meetings and workdays
The goal is to make movement easier and more visible in all aspects of campus life.
A New Project Begins – Movement That Lasts!
A particularly significant step is the launch of the third project phase (1 August 2026 – 31 July 2027), where the focus shifts from development toward permanent structures and a lasting cultural change.
The new project focuses on four key areas:
- Establishing Permanent Structures and Commitment in Tampere Universities
Students on the move program will be embedded into the structures and quality development processes of Tampere Universities. Clear responsibilities will be assigned.
- Integrating Movement into Teaching, Guidance, and Staff Practices
Movement will become part of everyday practice across most fields. Teaching staff will be provided with ready-made materials and tools, and active methods will also be integrated into blended learning.
- Developing Study Life and Campus Environments to Support Physical Activity
Campus environments will be systematically developed to support movement. The use of activation points will be monitored and refined, and students will play an active role in peer support.
- Goal-Oriented Collaboration Supporting Students Physical Activity
Collaboration with stakeholders will be strengthened and become a structured and permanent part of the actions.
Summary
The Students on the move project has reached a stage where individual experiments have evolved into a broader cultural transformation. Movement is already visible in teaching, everyday student life, and campus environments—and the next step is to make it a permanent and natural part of the entire community of Tampere Universities.
Work will continue even more strongly in the autumn with the new project.
Thank you to everyone involved in the project and to all partners for this project period!
Wishing everyone a sunny and relaxing summer,
The Students on the move project team
More info
Students on the move-program
Tampere
Anna Karppinen, anna.karppinen@tuni.fi
Anneli Uusitalo, anneli.uusitalo@tuni.fi
Seinäjoki
Piia Koski, piia.koski@tuni.fi