The role of photonics in Finnish vocational and higher education

Department of Physics and Mathematics, University of Eastern Finland

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Abstract

This article reviews the role of photonics in Finnish vocational and higher education, examining how photonics-related topics progress across these pathways. The focus is on university education, particularly the opportunity to study photonics as a primary subject, its integration into broader science and engineering programmes, and its presence in international master’s programmes and key educational and research networks. Finally, the article discusses the growing importance of photonics in technology and society, and makes the case for strengthening photonics education through curriculum development, teacher training, and the pedagogical use of artificial intelligence.