Sousa works as a Senior Automation Engineer for the technology company Andritz. He originally moved from Angola to Kotka, Finland, to study at the South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk). Later, he discovered the Åland University of Applied Sciences’ new master’s program Energy Automation Sustainable Engineering (EASE).

The program was launched in the spring semester of 2024 in collaboration with Arcada, and students could choose whether to study primarily at the Åland University of Applied Sciences or at Arcada. Sousa chose to study on Åland, and this spring he made history by being the first person ever to graduate with a master’s degree from the Åland University of Applied Sciences!

We took the opportunity to ask him a few questions about his experience with us.

What made you apply to the EASE program at ÅUAS?

I liked the challenge. I had never been to Åland before and I was curious. Arcada was too close to Kotka, and I thought why not study on an island instead?

What has been the best part of this program for you?

The cultural mix and meeting people from different places has been great. Some of my classmates live on Åland, others in Finland, but working together has worked out well anyway. The teachers in both Arcada and ÅUAS have been very helpful, and the flexibility and possibility to study remotely has also been great, as I travel a lot in my work.

What are your plans for the future?

I see a lot of potential to use what I have learned in this program in my current role. I have also been offered new job opportunities teaching automation at a university in Portugal. One day, I will come back to Åland too, to visit or maybe participate in a project or something similar. I feel at home here.

Read more about the EASE master program here:

https://www.ha.ax/utbildning/master/