Marja Ahola, PhD candidate
Ahola, Marja is the founder and owner of Gimara. She also works at LAB University of Applied Sciences as a research, development and innovation specialist and does her doctoral studies in Software Engineering at LUT University. Her main areas of interest are interaction and accessibility in online solutions, creative and proactive problem solving, social inclusion and entrepreneurial thinking. She has considerable experience in integration training, online language teaching, team building, pedagogy, methodology and new product development. She has a particular passion for producing new types of educational innovations that promote social inclusion and educational equality in the world, especially in third countries. She specializes in producing technological educational innovations for international operating environments. Research is an important part of producing high-quality educational innovation ideas.
LIST OF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT & INNOVATIONS (RDI) ACTIVITIES
Hartikainen, A., Ahola, M.J., & Sutinen, E. (2024). Enhancing teacher training for online immigrant integration programs: A design science approach. International Journal of Technology in Education (IJTE), 7(3), 493-512. Retrieved: https://doi.org/10.46328/ijte.690
Hartikainen, A., Ahola, M., & Sutinen, E. (2024). Social Impact of Collaborative Teacher Community in Online Immigrant Integration Training. TOJET, 23(2). Retrieved: http://www.tojet.net/articles/v23i2/23210.pdf
Zafar, A. & Ahola, M. 2022. Finnish Firms and the Employment of Foreign Workers. In book Ahram, T., & Taiar, R. (Eds.). (2022). Accelerating Open Access Science in Human Factors Engineering and Human-Centered Computing: Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (AHFE I 2022). AHFE International. DOI: http://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1001858 ensuring that the needs and perspectives of all parties in terms of the customer experience are taken into account in the piloted service. Retrieved: https://openaccess.cms-conferences.org/#/publications/book/978-1-958651-20-9/article/978-1-958651-20-9_9
Ahola, M. & Hartikainen, A. 2022. Lesson Learned of Tablet Course for Semi-literate Immigrants. In book Ahram, T., & Taiar, R. (Eds.). (2022). Human Interaction & Emerging Technologies (IHIET-AI 2022): Artificial Intelligence & Future Applications (Vol. 23). AHFE International. Retrieved: http://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe100844
Zafar, A. & Ahola, M. 2022. Internationalisation of Finnish Firms and Use of Digital Solutions. In book Ahram, T., & Taiar, R. (Eds.). (2022). Human Interaction & Emerging Technologies (IHIET-AI 2022): Artificial Intelligence & Future Applications (Vol. 23). AHFE International. Retrieved: http://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe100911
Ahola, M. & Baliasina, M. (2021). Tekoäly – Peikko vai pelastus. Halme, A. (toim.) Tempus 5/2021. SUKOL. Suomen kielenopettajien liitto ry. 8-9. Retrieved: https://issuu.com/sukol/docs/tempus521/s/13602554
Kiijärvi-Pihkala, M., Ahola, M., Kaartinen, O, & Shchipova, M. (2021). Towards Working Life – Building the Human Capital of Immigrants with Mentoring and Workplace Counselling. Peltonen, K. & Hartikainen, A. (toim). LAB Health Annual Review 2021. The Publication Series of LAB University of Applied Sciences, part 30. LAB University of Applied Sciences. 201-217. Retrieved: https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-951-827-381-6
Ahola, M., Zafar., A. & Pusa, M.-L. (2022). MALVA mukana matkalla kohti työelämää – Missä asioissa tukea tarvittiin? Teoksessa: Nuutila, L. & Honkanen, E. (toim). Tahdon töihin. Moniäänisiä näkökulmia maahanmuuttajien työllistymiseen. Helsinki: Haaga-Helia. Haaga-Helian julkaisut 1/2022. 160-168. Retrieved: https://www.haaga-helia.fi/fi/ajankohtaista/artikkelit/tahdon-toihin
Ahola, M. & Zafar., A. (2022). Bottien matkassa – kokemuksia MALVAssa. Teoksessa: Nuutila, L. & Honkanen, E. (toim). Tahdon töihin. Moniäänisiä näkökulmia maahanmuuttajien työllistymiseen. Helsinki: Haaga-Helia. Haaga-Helian julkaisut 1/2022. 177-184. Retrieved: https://www.haaga-helia.fi/fi/ajankohtaista/artikkelit/tahdon-toihin
Ahola, M., Zafar., A. & Pusa, M.-L. (2022). Yritysten digitaalisten perehdytyskäytänteiden ja tuen kartoitus. Teoksessa: Nuutila, L. & Honkanen, E. (toim). Tahdon töihin. Moniäänisiä näkökulmia maahanmuuttajien työllistymiseen. Helsinki: Haaga-Helia. Haaga-Helian julkaisut 1/2022. 49-56. Retrieved: https://www.haaga-helia.fi/fi/ajankohtaista/artikkelit/tahdon-toihin
Ahola M., Zafar A., Porras J., Hyypiä M. (2022) International Employees’ Perceptions and UX Design Utilization in Online Learning Development. In: Ahram T., Taiar R. (eds) Human Interaction, Emerging Technologies and Future Systems V. IHIET 2021. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 319. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85540-6_11
Ahola, M. & Pusa, M.-L. 2021. Yritysten kanssa mentoroinnin työkaluja kehittämässä. Turun ammattikorkeakoulu, MESH-hankkeen Blogi. Retrieved: https://mesh.turkuamk.fi/blogit/yritysten-kanssa-mentoroinnin-tyokaluja-kehittamassa/
Kouzi, A., Zafar, A. & Ahola, M. 2021. Perhosefekti – Koulu monikulttuurisena työpaikkana ja yhteiskunnan kulttuurisen moninaisuuden haasteen peilinä. LAB RDI Journal. Retrieved: https://www.labopen.fi/lab-rdi-journal/perhosefekti-koulu-monikulttuurisena-tyopaikkana-ja-yhteiskunnan-kulttuurisen-moninaisuuden-haasteen-peilina/
Zafar, A. & Ahola, M. 2021. Human-Artificial Systems Collaboration in Service Innovation and Social Inclusion. Will be published in book Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Intelligent Human Systems Integration: Integrating People and Intelligent Systems (IHSI 2021). Springer Nature. Virtual Conference, February 22-24, 2021. Retrieved: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-68017-6_78
Kirjavainen, H., Keskikuru, S. & Ahola, M. 2021. MESH-hankkeen ”Pitch your skills”-työpaja. Turun ammattikorkeakoulu, MESH-hankkeen Blogi. Retrieved: https://mesh.turkuamk.fi/blogit/mesh-hankkeen-pitch-your-skills-tyopaja/
Oikarinen, T., Ahola, M., Hartikainen, A., Martikainen, S.-J. & Peltonen, K. 2021. Maahanmuuttajien yrittäjyyden edistäminen. Teoksessa Tulonen S., Kaasinen E., Gustafsson-Pesonen A. (Toim.). YKTT2020 – Yrittäjyyskasvatuspäivät yrittäjyyden ytimessä. Konferenssijulkaisu. Xamk Kehittää 139, Kaakkois-Suomen ammattikorkeakoulu. Yrittäjyyskasvatuspäivät (YKTT) 2020. 254-270. Retrieved: http://www.urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-344-317-4
Youtube -videokooste https://youtu.be/AMki6Z5Y2OE
Ahola, M. & Hartikainen, A. 2020. KOKOMA-hankkeessa vahvistettiin kielitaitoa ja rohkaistiin yrittäjyyteen. Retrieved: https://blogit.lab.fi/labfocus/kokoma-hankkeen-vahvistettiin-kielitaitoa-ja-rohkaistiin-yrittajyyteen/
Ahola, M., Hartikainen, A. & Lampinen, M. 2020. Resources and support for employing immigrants. Anita Hartikainen & Kati Peltonen (eds.). LAB Health Annual Review 2020, The Publication Series of LAB University of Applied Sciences, part 5, 71-87. Lahti. Retrieved: http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-951-827-333-5
Ahola, M. 2020. Valkokettu, Tilkkunen ja Tonttilan Aino – kymmenen uutta yritystä KOKOMAssa koronasta huolimatta. Retrieved: https://blogit.lab.fi/labfocus/valkokettu-tilkkunen-ja-tonttilan-aino-kymmenen-uutta-yritysta-kokomassa-koronasta-huolimatta/
Ahola, M., Handelberg, J., Hartikainen, A., Hirard, T., Ikäheimonen, T., Karppelin, A., Kuukkanen, T., Oikarinen, T., Peltonen, K. ja Rajala, S. 2020. KOKOMA yrittäjyysvalmiuksia maahanmuuttajille suomeksi. Opettajan opas. LUT Scientific and Expertise Publications – Oppimateriaalit – Lecture Notes 21. ISSN-L 2243-3392. ISSN 2243-3392. ISBN 978-952-335-562-0. Retrieved: https://lutpub.lut.fi/handle/10024/161718
Ikäheimonen, T., Oikarinen, T., Martikainen, S-J., Peltonen, K., Ahola, M. & Hartikainen, A. 2020. KOKOMA – koulutusmallin arviointi. LUT Scientific and Expertise Publications, raportit ja selvitykset – reports, nro 101. LUT University, 2020. Retrieved: https://lutpub.lut.fi/handle/10024/162340
Ahola, M. & Haikala, R. 2020. When online integration training changes from margin to norm. Kotouttaminen.fi-blog, Ministry of Employment and the Economy Integration Competence Center. Retrieved: https://kotouttaminen.fi/blogi/-/blogs/kun-verkkokotoutumiskoulutus-muuttuu-marginaalista-normiksi
Ahola, M. & Lahtio, H. 2019. Through educational cooperation, better entrepreneurial skills for highly educated immigrants. In Finnish. LAMK Well-Being Blog. Retrieved: https://blogit.lamk.fi/lamkwell-being/2019/08/13/koulutusyhteistyolla-lisaa-yrittajyysvalmiuksia-korkeakoulutetuille-maahanmuuttajille/
Ahola, M. & Olkkonen, T. 2019. At the interface between the educational institution and working life – cooperation and attitude. In Finnish. LAMK Well-Being Blog. Retrieved: https://www.lamkpub.fi/2019/09/06/oppilaitoksen-ja-tyoelaman-rajapinnalla-yhteistyota-ja-asennetta/
Ahola, M. & Valo-Vuorela, M. 2019. Learning from neighbours – A seminar on The Path of the Newly Arrived Citizen. LAMK Well-Being Blog. Retrieved: https://blogit.lamk.fi/lamkwell-being/2019/10/15/learning-from-neighbours-a-seminar-on-the-path-of-the-newly-arrived-citizen/
Ahola, M. & Zafar, A. 2019. Merging and Collaboration of Educational Institutes: New dimension of Open Innovation. LAMK Pro. Retrieved: http://www.lamkpub.fi/2019/09/09/merging-and-collaboration-of-educational-institutes:-new-dimension-of-open-innovation
Ahola, M. 2019. Ossi 2 project promoting the employment of immigrants in Päijät-Häme 1 / 2018-1 / 2020. In Finnish. LAB Health Blog. Retrieved: https://blogit.lab.fi/health/2020/03/03/ossi-2-hanke-edistamassa-maahanmuuttajien-tyollistymista-paijat-hameessa-1-2018-1-2020/
Ahola, M. 2019. Work to be achieved. In Finnish. LAMK Well-Being Blog. Retrieved: https://blogit.lamk.fi/lamkwell-being/2019/09/18/saavutettavaa-tyota/
Ahola, M., & Zafar, A. 2020. Relationship Between Frugal and Inclusive Innovation and Digital Employment Solutions (DES): A Review. In International Conference on Human Interaction and Emerging Technologies (pp. 398-403). Springer, Cham. Retrieved: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-55307-4_60
Ahola, M., Haikala, R. & Zafar, A. 2019. Access to study and employment is a challenge for high educated students. In Finnish. Lamk PUB. Retrieved: http://www.lamkpub.fi/2019/11/15/opiskelemaan-paasy-ja-tyollistyminen-haastavat-ulkomaiset-korkeakouluopiskelijat-muut-maat-keraavat-osaajat/
Ahola, M., Haikala, R. & Zafar, A. 2019. Accessible Language learning Online. Conference: 12th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation Seville (Spain). 11th – 13th of November, 2019.At: Seville, Spain. IATED Digital Library. ISSN: 2340-1095. Retrieved: https://library.iated.org/view/AHOLA2019ACC
Ahola, M., Handelberg, J., Hartikainen, A., Hirard, T., Ikäheimonen, T., Karppelin, A., Kuukkanen, T., Oikarinen, T., Peltonen, K. ja Rajala, S. 2020. KOKOMA Entrepreneurial skills for immigrants in Finnish. Teachers guide. LUT Scientific and Expertise Publications – Oppimateriaalit – Lecture Notes 21. ISSN-L 2243-3392. ISSN 2243-3392. ISBN 978-952-335-562-0. Retrieved: https://lutpub.lut.fi/handle/10024/161718
Ahola, M., Liski, E. & Rantanen, V. 2019. How The Quick Path To Construction Jobs For Immigrants Succeeded – Podcast. Lamk Well-Being Youtube. In Finnish. Retrieved: https://youtu.be/gTLfapm0Ilw
Ahola, M., Olkkonen, T. & Pusa, M.-L. 2019. Solutions through cooperation – Support available to companies for recruiting immigrants. Article in book edited by Peltonen, K. & Tommola, P.: LAMK Well-being and Regenerative Growth Annual Review 2019, The Publication Series of Lahti University of Applied Sciences, part 55, 112-123. Retrieved: https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/265343
Ahola, M., Valo-Vuorela, M. ja Kalkela, K. 2019. Tools for Multicultural Teaching and Guidance -OSSI2 project training series in autumn 2019. In Finnish. LAMK Well-Being Blog. Retrieved: https://blogit.lamk.fi/lamkwell-being/2019/12/12/apuvalineita-monikulttuuristuvaan-opetukseen-ja-ohjaukseen-ossi2-hankkeen-koulutusssarja-syksylla-2019/
Zafar, A. & Ahola, M. 2019. The odyssey of obtaining a student visa for Finland. Acrticle in Foreigner.fi. Retrieved: https://www.foreigner.fi/articulo/work-and-study/the-odyssey-of-obtaining-student-visa-for-finland/20190915124027002914.html
Zafar, A. & Ahola, M. 2019. LAB: Boosting Startup and SME Ecosystems in the South Karelia and Päijät-Häme Regions. Lamk PUB. Retrieved: https://www.lamkpub.fi/2019/09/26/lab-boosting-startup-and-sme-ecosystems-in-the-south-karelia-and-paijat-hame-regions/
Hartikainen, A. & Ahola, M. 2020 Developing highly educated immigrant’s entrepreneurial skills – result of twho education pilots. INTED-seminar. 14th annual International Technology, Education and Development Conference Valencia, 2nd, 3rd and 4th of March, 2020. ISSN: 2340-1079. IATED Digital Library. Retrieved: https://library.iated.org/view/AHOLA2020DEV
Hartikainen, A., Ahola, M. & Haikala, R. 2019 Guidance and forming communities online: highly educated immigrants in language-aware entrepreneurship education. Article in the book edit. by Peltonen, K., & Tommola, P.: LAMK Well-being and Regenerative Growth Annual Review 2019, The Publication Series of Lahti University of Applied Sciences, part 55, 68-77. Retrieved: https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/265343
A. Hartikainen, M. Ahola, M. Apiola and E. Sutinen, “The immigrant integration online training program in Finland,” 2020 43rd International Convention on Information, Communication and Electronic Technology (MIPRO), 2020, pp. 872-877, doi: 10.23919/MIPRO48935.2020.9245168.
Oikarinen, T., Ahola, M., Hartikainen, A., Ikäheimonen, T., Martikainen S.-J. & Peltonen, K. 2020.
Promoting immigrant entrepreneurship. In Finnish. Released in the fall 2020, YKTT 2020.