54 Kokola–Pietarsaari- economic region education The Kokkola–Pietarsaari region has a total of 104 day care centres and preschools. There are 99 comprehensive schools, some of which are Swedishspeaking. International education is available as early as at primary school level. There is a total of 14 Finnish and Swedishlanguage upper secondary schools. School-specific study programmes emphasize different subjects as well as entrepreneurship and internationality. Adult secondary schools deliver general education in combined courses. Vocational studies are organized by Yrkeskolan Optima, Yrkesakademin i Österbotten and the Central Ostrobothnia Joint Municipal Authority for Education. They all emphasize the main businesses of the region. Higher education is provided by two educational organizations. Centria University of Applied Sciences provides education in Kokkola, Pietarsaari and Ylivieska in Finnish, Swedish and English. Centria awards both polytechnic degrees and Master’s degrees in technology and business and in social work and health care. The Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius provides education towards Master’s degrees and doctoral degrees, conducts scientific research and organizes adult university education in applied chemistry, information technology, economics and health care, for example. These organizations participate in several international cooperation networks and projects. In addition to companies, the field of education cooperates strongly to develop the region. For example, on just one street in Kokkola, you can study process and chemical industry from secondary level to Master’s degree and all the way to a Doctorate. Research and product development laboratories in different institutions support each other and the business development in the region through science and technology development. Leisure Kokkola is an attractive seaside town. Neristan, the old wooden-house quarter, offers cultural events and beautiful cafes, restaurants and shops. Pietarsaari is an old seaside town with historic parks and gardens. The town also offers a range of cafes, boutiques and cultural events. There are plenty of places to visit in the area. In 2013, the Seven Bridges Archipelago won the Finnish tourism award as the most interesting Finnish destination. The lighthouse island of Tankar in the outer archipelago is well worth a visit. M/S Jenny takes tourists to Tankar and between Kokkola and Pietarsaari. Tourists in the area can enjoy several hiking and canoeing routes and fishing opportunities. These include the Lestijoki and Perhojoki riverside facilities. Salamajärvi National Park in Perho has wilderness-like landscapes with wild forest reindeer. Cult ural services The area’s cultural life is varied. Services include Kokkola City Theatre, the Central Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra, other partly amateur orchestras and several amateur and summer theatres. There are also a number of galleries, museums and exhibitions. Several music events take place annually, such as the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival, Kokkola’s Venetian Night, Pietarsaari’s Jacob’s Days, Lohtaja’s Church Music Days, Kokkola’s Opera Winter and Winter Accordion, and the Mustakari in Memories event. The region’s cultural events are characterized by the different traditions and events of the bilingual population.
Hanhikivi Guide 2015
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