Centres of excellence in university of applied sciences education 2010–2012
The Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council (FINHEEC) has selected the Centres of Excellence in university of applied sciences education for 2010–2012. This was the fifth evaluation carried out for the Ministry of Education. The selected units will be allocated performance-based funding at a later stage. The aim of the Centre of Excellent evaluation is to enhance the quality of polytechnic education and to make it more transparent as well as distribute good practices.
The Centres of Excellence in University of Applied Sciences Education 2010–2012 are:
- Arcada University of Applied Sciences: Patient Safety and Learning Centre
- Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences: From taboo to professional competence in sexuality
- Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences: Learning and Competence Creating Ecosystems
- Lahti University of Applied Sciences Degree Programme in Design
- Laurea University of Applied Sciences: Lear ning Integrated Student-Centric Research and Development Work
- Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences: Degree Programme in Civic Activities and Youth Work
- Savonia University of Applied Sciences Degree Programme in Mechanical and Production Engineer ing
- Tampere University of Applied Sciences: Degree Programme in Business Administration
The frame of reference for the evaluation was formed from the main duties of the university of applied sciences and the provision of education as co-operation between the univer sity of applied sciences, the world of work and the student. The purpose of the evaluation was to establish the effectiveness of co-operation between the higher education unit and the students and how effectively the studies were interlinked with the world of work and its development needs. Other criter ia in the evaluation included the functionality, diver sity and depth of the partnerships between the education unit and the world of work. The evaluation also determined how dynamically and successfully the main tasks of the unit were carried out and how these were interconnected in practice and how they corresponded to the objectives of the European Higher Education Area. The units subject to the evaluation were divided into two parts: operations and results.
By 31 March 2009, FINHEEC had received a total of 31 written applications to become a Centre of Excellence in education from various univer sities of applied sciences. On the basis of the applications, the evaluation panel decided to conduct day-long evaluation visits to 16 univer sities of applied sciences. The aim of the visits was to ascertain that the operations and results were as described in the applications and to evaluate the quality of the education through interviews.
The selected Centres of Excellence had been successful in producing high-quality education through systematic development. The evaluations were conducted by a panel consisting of six persons. The panel was unanimous in proposing these units to FINHEEC to be selected as Centres of Excellence.
