Nordic and Baltic agencies for quality assurance of higher education gather in Finland

An annual meeting of the NOQA (Nordic Quality Assurance Network in Higher Education) network’s member countries was arranged by FINEEC in Porvoo, Finland 6.–7.9.2018. In addition to the Nordic agencies, higher education experts from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Greenland also attended the conference. At this year’s meeting, the focus was on the theme of quality assurance and research.

An introduction to the theme was given by Manager of the Quality Board for Icelandic Higher Education Sigurður Óli Sigurðsson who discussed various aspects and challenges of quality management of research. Sigurðsson also emphasized the huge benefit to all countries, especially the smaller ones like Iceland, from the ideas and advice shared at the NOQA network’s conferences.

This year’s keynote speakers came from Denmark and Finland. Associate professor Camilla Østerberg Rump (University of Copenhagen) spoke about links between research and teaching, Professor Timo Aarrevaara (University of Lapland) presented different views of assessment of quality systems for research and Counsellor of Education Matti Kajaste (Ministry of Education and Culture, Finland) shared his findings about how Finnish universities of applied sciences are managing their research, development and innovation activities.

Additionally, experts from all participating countries presented what kind of recent changes and challenges the higher education systems are facing in their respective countries. Head of Department Karin Järplid Linde from Swedish Higher Education Authority also highlighted that NOQA’s long-lasting history as well as understanding and trust between its members are really important factors when developing quality assurance work now and in the future.

In 2019 the conference will take place in Stockholm. More information about NOQA can be found here.