The international week event emphasized professional execution : the ultimate guide to organizing the International Week of Savonia UAS

Abstract

This practice-based thesis arose from the need to share accumulated knowledge on meeting and event planning and to make the International Week event’s planning, organizing, and implementation accessible to future staff and students. Savonia UAS commissioned this practice-based thesis because, even though the International Week event has been organized for several years, it has never had a guide to provide a reliable, organized source of information that would save time and enhance experiences by offering practical advice and context in one place. The practice-based thesis’s purpose is to produce a product that provides valuable information on planning and managing events grounded in scientific theory. With that being said, a practice-based thesis is not just about theory but also about demonstrating how practice generates new knowledge. This type of research is rich, creative, and deeply personal. For this practice-based thesis, the observational method was selected. The first step, of course, was to determine whether observation is an appropriate method for collecting data for this thesis. In this respect, the objectives and circumstances of the research were reflected on. The open conversation and focus group interview methods were also considered. After carefully considering all the advantages and disadvantages this method entails, the most appropriate, time- and cost-effective method was chosen — observation. The finished product is “The ultimate guide to organizing the International Week of Savonia UAS” guide. The guide includes objective information about the International Week of Savonia UAS, including enrollment, schedule, programs, and relevant details on developing managerial skills and managing one's own team. Future students will use the guide to plan, organize, and carry out the Savonia International Week. The aim of practice-based research, like any other type of research, is to discover new knowledge where none exists in the specific field of study. Once this knowledge is obtained, it is shared in a way that allows it to be archived for others to access. Research findings usually meet criteria such as originality, validation, contextualization, shareability, and retention. This practice-based thesis addresses all of the aforesaid criteria. Since the International Week events are annual and recurring, it is recommended to keep and update the guide accordingly. Given that interview and focus group collection methods are missing from this practice-based thesis, it is recommended that they be carried out in the future.