The work of the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC) is based on the principle of enhancement-led evaluation and producing impactful information which contributes to the enhancement of education.
The purpose of the audit model is
- to evaluate whether the quality work in the HEI meets the European quality assurance standards,
- to assess whether the quality system produces relevant information for the implementation of the strategy and the continuous development of the HEI’s activities, and whether it results in effective enhancement activities,
- to encourage internationalisation, experimenting and a creative atmosphere at HEIs, and
- to accumulate open and transparent information on quality work at Finnish HEIs.
The principles of the audit framework are described in the audit manual.
The implementation of the audit
The four-member audit team carried out the audit. The members of the audit team were:
- Oliver Vettori (PhD) Dean, Accreditation & Quality Management and Director, Programme Management & Teaching and Learning Support, WU Vienna, (chair)
- Crina Damşa (PhD) Associate Professor, University of Oslo
- Hanna Maula (DSc) Vice President, Communications & Brand, UPM-Kymmene Corporation
- Alexander Myers (MSc) Doctoral Researcher, LUT University.
Mirella Nordblad from the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre acted as project manager of the audit and Sanna Vahtivuori-Hänninen as second project manager. The audit is based on the material submitted by the higher education institution, a self-assessment report, additional material requested by the audit team, and the audit team’s site visit to the institution between 7 and 8 March 2023. The audit team also had access to essential digital materials and systems. The main stages and timetable of the audit were:
| Agreement negotiation | 2 December 2021 |
| Appointment of the audit team | 13 September 2022 |
| Submission of the audit material and self-assessment report | 13 December 2022 |
| Information and discussion event at Hanken | 15 February 2023 |
| Audit visit | 7–8 March 2023 |
| Higher Education Evaluation Committee’s decision on the result | 15 June 2023 |
| Publication of the report | 15 June 2023 |
| Concluding seminar at Hanken | 20 June 2023 |
| Follow-up on the enhancement work | 2026 |
Evaluation criteria
The evaluation areas I–III are each assessed as one entity using the scale excellent, good, insufficient.
The level excellent means that the HEI shows evidence of long-term and effective enhancement work. The HEI’s enhancement activities also create substantial added value for the HEI, stakeholders, or both. The HEI presents compelling examples of successful enhancement activities.
The level good for the evaluation areas I–III is described in appendix 1.
The level insufficient means that the HEI shows an absence of or major shortcomings in systematic, functioning, and participatory procedures in the evaluation area (I–III). There is no clear evidence of the impact of quality management in the enhancement of activities.
In order for the HEI to pass the audit, the evaluation areas I–III should reach at least the level good.