The Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC) has conducted the audit of the Häme 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:
- Professor emerita Eva Werner, Austria (chair)
- Student Mia Brzakovic, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
- Professor Henrik Dindas, FOM University of Applied Sciences, Germany (vice-chair)
- Leading expert Dr. Kaisa Lähteenmäki, MDI Ltd., Finland
Marja-Liisa Saarilammi from the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre acted as project manager of the audit and Karl Holm as back-up 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 online visit to the institution between 5 and 6 April 2022. The audit team also had access to essential digital materials and systems. The main stages and timetable of the audit were:
| Agreement negotiation | 31 March 2021 |
| Appointment of the audit team | 11 January 2022 |
| Submission of the audit material and self-assessment report | 11 January 2022 |
| Information and discussion event at the HEI | 14 March 2022 |
| Audit visit | 5-6 April 2022 |
| Higher Education Evaluation Committee’s decision on the result | 15 June 2022 |
| Publication of the report | 16 June 2022 |
| Concluding seminar | 20 June 2022 |
| 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.