Abstract

Title of publication

Audit of the Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (Satakunnan ammattikorkeakoulun auditointi)

Authors

Heidi Ahokallio-Leppälä, Oona Löytänen, Olli-Pekka Ruuskanen, Olli Vesterinen, Niina Nurkka and Kati Isoaho

Self-assessment of Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (eds.) Jari Multisilta, Timo Mattila, Cimmo Nurmi and Erja Kuurila

The Higher Education Evaluation Committee’s decision

The Satakunta University of Applied Sciences passed the audit on 16 March 2022. 

The Quality Label is valid until 16 March 2028.

The audit team’s evaluation of the evaluation areas I-III

I: HEI creates competence: good level

II: HEI promotes impact and renewal: good level

III: HEI enhances quality and well-being: good level

HEI as a learning organisation – evaluation area chosen by Satakunta University of Applied Sciences

The integration of international students, teachers, researchers and other experts by developing the possibilities for studying and working

Theme and partner for benchlearning

Comprehensive study guidance and successful arranging of all-year studying

Partner: Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences

Key strengths and recommendations 

Strengths

  • Involving the students, staff and external stakeholders in the curriculum work and the introduction of a uniform assessment framework linked to competence levels promotes the equity and equality of students and the working-life orientation of the curricula.
  • SAMK is a strong influencer in its area as it is the force that brings together the working life, education and RDI activities in the region. SAMK’s operation and profile meet the needs of the actors in the region.
  • SAMK’s quality system as a whole is systematic and comprehensive, and the information produced by it is used in the operation and management. The staff have committed themselves to the quality work and continuous improvement of activities.
  • SAMK’s strength in internationalization is an understanding of the need for internationalization, which the whole organisation has internalized, and the staff’s commitment to achieving the strategic target related to internationalization. The importance of cultural factors in the integration of international students and staff has been identified.

Recommendations

  • When developing the feedback system on study modules, SAMK must ensure a sufficient number of responses to provide coverage and make sure that the amount of counter-feedback is increased, and the quality of counter-feedback improved.
  • Working life representatives, such as advisory councils and the alumni must be systematically linked to the development of the education and RDI activities. This will enable SAMK to better meet the needs of working life.
  • The recruitment process must be developed to better support also international recruitment. To attract new experts, the enhancement of the employer image of the region and of SAMK must be linked to the development of the recruitment process.
  • Efforts must be made to manage the ambitious increase in internationalization by coordinating the international activities better, by providing sufficient resources and by removing overlapping.