In Finland, research, development, and innovation (RDI) activities are central to the mission of universities of applied sciences, bridging academic knowledge with societal and industry needs. This case study examines how Master’s students contribute to RDI initiatives, providing their expertise and varied professional backgrounds to support and deepen university-industry collaboration. Finnish eligibility criteria for Master’s studies, which require at least two years of relevant work experience post-bachelor’s degree, further enhance students’ applied contributions to these projects.

To integrate Master’s students into the RDI ecosystem and strengthen co-creation with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), an elective course (5 ECTS) was added to the curriculum of a Master’s program within the business faculty at LAB University of Applied Sciences in Finland. Initially introduced as “EventHub” within the Master’s program in International Tourism and Event Management in 2021 and 2022, nine students completed the course, earning a total of 45 ECTS credits through their involvement in real-world RDI projects.

In autumn 2023, the course was restructured and incorporated into the Master’s program in Business Innovation and Culture, now under the title “INNOHUB.” Since this revision, over twenty students have participated, accumulating 100 ECTS credits by engaging in applied RDI initiatives. This model not only advances students’ academic and professional development but also provides a structured framework for knowledge exchange and co-creation between Universities of Applied Sciences and SMEs, thereby contributing to transformative practices within Finland’s RDI landscape.

Keywords: Research, development, innovation, education, co-creation.