The Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC) has conducted the audit of the Metropolia university of applied sciences. The work of FINEEC is based on the principle of enhancement-led evaluation and producing impactful information that contributes to the enhancement of education.
The purpose of the FINEEC audit framework is:
- to evaluate whether the quality work in the HEI meets 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:
- Rector, Professor Andreas Breinbauer, Fachhochschule des BFI Wien, Austria (chair)
- Sc, Strategic advisor Birgit Kraus, TU Darmstadt, Germany
- Sc, eMBA, pensioner Ilkka Pollari, Finland
- Student Mari Ruadze, Ilia State University of Georgia, Georgia
Marja-Liisa Saarilammi and Niina Nurkka from the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre acted as project managers of the audit. 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 audit visit to the institution between 23 and 24 November 2022. The audit team also had access to essential digital materials and systems. The main stages and timetable of the audit were:
| Agreement negotiation | 3 December 2021 |
| Appointment of the audit team | 15 June 2022 |
| Submission of the audit material and self-assessment report | 31 August 2022 |
| Information and discussion event at the HEI | 2 November 2022 |
| Audit visit | 23-24 November 2022 |
| Higher Education Evaluation Committee’s decision on the result | 31 March 2023 |
| Publication of the report | 31 March 2023 |
| Concluding seminar | 19 April 2023 |
| Follow-up on the enhancement work | 2025 |
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.