LAB University of Applied Sciences passes FINEEC audit - goal-oriented research, development, and innovation activities recognised as a strength

LAB University of Applied Sciences (LAB) received praise from the FINEEC audit team for the strategic goals set for the impact of its research, development, and innovation (RDI) activities and for the support for demanding innovation activities. LAB’s relations to the local actors in South Karelia and Päijät-Häme are close and interactive. However, the quality and adequacy of teaching and pedagogical solutions are to be carefully examined as a joint effort at LAB.

The education at LAB University of Applied Sciences is strongly linked to the work life

The educational provision at LAB responds to the needs of the work life and companies in the areas of Päijät-Häme and South Karelia. Stakeholders are actively involved in the planning and implementation of education at LAB. The work life orientation comes through for example in project-based studies, where students solve real-world challenges for the labour market. The work life connection is also supported by LAB's versatile learning environments.

 According to the audit, the way teaching is delivered at LAB varies from teacher to teacher and from course to course. The audit team recommends that the quality and adequacy of teaching and pedagogical solutions at LAB are carefully examined as a joint effort. The quality of learning and teaching should be assessed in a more comprehensive way at LAB. LAB should further develop indicators to monitor the quality of education. Based on the data collected, LAB should identify and implement improvement measures.

The working culture at LAB encourages teachers to experiment with inspiring teaching methods and practices. Teachers receive encouragement and support from other teachers and team teaching was found particularly motivating. However, teachers expressed a need for more support to improve their pedagogical skills and encounter different types of students.

LAB’s RDI activities have a significant impact in Päijät-Häme and South Karelia

LAB's societal engagement supports the implementation of the UAS strategy. LAB has close and interactive relations with actors in the South Karelia and Päijät-Häme regions. According to the audit, LAB's RDI activities and artistic activities contribute to reforming society.

LAB’s RDI activities are dynamic, with clear targets set for their impact. The RDI activities are assessed according to strategy-based indicators, says Jaakko Hallila, the chair of the audit team, President and CEO of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.

LAB has also systematically developed the support for demanding innovation projects, especially in funding calls. Support for demanding innovation activities is provided by the joint University Services in the Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT). The resourcing of the support has already yielded good results. The multidisciplinary and multiprofessional expertise of LAB and LUT staff could be used even more in project preparation and projects.

Details of the quality system need to be clarified

LAB University of Applied Sciences has an ability to respond to areas in need of enhancement that surface through its quality system. The audit team recommends that LAB clarifies its quality system and makes it more visible within its community.

The audit team recommends that LAB clarifies the key points of its quality system in the community and thereby contributes to the quality work of the UAS, notes Jaakko Hallila, chair of the audit team.

The audit revealed concerns about the workload of the teachers and the adequacy of the resources allocated to teaching. The audit team stresses the importance of continuing and developing measures to improve the well-being and motivation of teaching staff.

As a result of the successful audit, LAB University of Applied Sciences received a FINEEC quality label valid for six years. By passing the audit, the university of applied sciences showed that its activities and quality system meet both the national criteria and the European quality assurance criteria for higher education institutions. The focus of the audit was on the procedures used by the university of applied sciences to maintain and enhance the quality of its education provision, RDI and artistic activities, and societal engagement and impact. The evaluation criteria applied in the audit are available in the FINEEC audit manual. 

The audit report is available on the FINEEC audit platform.

For further information, please contact

Chair of the audit team, President and CEO of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, Jaakko Hallila, +358 40 868 0621, jaakko.hallila@seamk.fi 

Project manager of the audit, FINEEC’s Senior Evaluation Advisor Hilla Vuori, +358 29 533 5538, hilla.vuori@karvi.fi