The Centre of Excellence programme is a nation-wide programme for developing and specialising in regional strengths. The programme aims at utilising international top knowledge and competence as resources in business operations, job creation and regional development.

In accordance with the programme principles, the status of a Centre of Excellence is granted to municipalities with international-level expertise in the selected areas.

The Centre of Expertise Programme has created growth platforms that expedite the development of companies and support the creation and commercialisation of new business activities. Other results of the activitiesof the Centre of Expertise include an extensive eTampere information society programme in 2001 and a multi-disciplinary biotechnological development programme BioneXt in 2003. 

Finn-Medi's area in the Centre of Excellence Programme is healthcare technology. According to an evaluation commissioned by the Finnish Ministry of the Interior, Finn-Medi's operating model is the most efficient one in Finland (Ministry of the Interior publication4/2003). 

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