3 HEI enhances quality and well-being

Evaluation area III assesses the functioning and development of the quality system and how the system is used in strategic management. The procedures used to support the competence development and well-being of the staff are also assessed.

Based on the audit team’s evaluation, the evaluation area III is at the level good.

The audit team identified the following as key strengths and recommendations:

Strengths

  • Quality management is closely linked with UTU’s strategic management and contributes to achieving its strategic objectives.
  • UTU has an extensive provision for faculty support, training and well-being, making it an attractive employer.
  • An open-quality culture enables broad participation in developing the University of Turku’s core activities and services.

Recommendations

  • There is already good cooperation between UTU faculties, but there should be scope for seeking more coherence across faculties in strategy execution.
  • The University should strengthen its strategic planning to become more evidence-based, data-driven and transparent to all actors.
  • UTU’s strong competence development provision for faculty members and staff should be extended to become inclusive for internationals and offered in English.
  • The basic teaching qualification should be compulsory for all teaching staff.
  • Although UTU’s quality system provides a good framework, further synergies within the University could be achieved, as well as further cooperation with other universities. Furthermore, the role of the advisory boards could be strengthened, especially concerning achieving multidisciplinary aims.