The Finnish Education Evaluation Centre has conducted an audit of the University of Jyväskylä and has awarded the university a quality label that is valid for six years from 11 May 2015. The quality management system of the University of Jyväskylä fulfils the national criteria for the quality management of higher education institutions, and corresponds to the European quality assurance principles and recommendations.
According to the audit team, the university’s quality management system supports daily quality work in a meaningful way and engages the whole university community in the development of operations. This is reflected in a strong quality culture and students’ active involvement in development activities. Internal audits, self-assessments and various surveys comprise a core for evaluation and development. In the development of the quality management of education, particularly successful efforts have been made to develop the quality of teaching and teachers’ pedagogical competencies.
“The quality management system supports the development of the university’s core duties and implementation of the strategy.” the chair of the audit team, Director Kari Seppälä from the University of Turku says.
In order for the university to develop its quality management system further, the audit team also gives recommendations to the institution. It is recommended that a condensed overall picture on the state of the university, its quality management, and central development needs be produced in a management review. According to the audit team, the university’s quality management as a whole has been improved by formulating a clear and coherent manual. However, the impact of the manual should be further developed, amongst other things, by clarifying the comprehensive whole formed by the combination of the manual and unit-specific guidelines. There is also room for improvement with regard to forecasting changes in the operational environment.
“The development of the quality management system has been systematic and successful. The staff finds the self-assessments in particular as a useful tool in developing their own activities“ the chair of the audit team, Director Kari Seppälä continues.
Audits of the quality systems of the higher education institutions have been implemented in Finland since 2005. Currently, the second audit round is going on.
Audit report:
Jyväskylän yliopiston auditointi 2015 (Audit of the University of Jyväskylä 2015)
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