Metropolia University of Applied Sciences passed FINEEC’s audit – particular strenghts include participatory operating culture and diverse learning enviroments

Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (Metropolia) passed the audit conducted by the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC). Metropolia received special praise from the audit team for a clear strategy, which is well-known among employees. As a continuous development principle, the PDCA cycle is a cornerstone of Metropolia’s quality work. Innovation hubs provide an exceptionally good development platform based on innovation and ecosystem thinking.

Education supports target-oriented learning

Metropolia focuses on student-centred teaching, personal learning processes and the diversity of students and their needs. The HEI offers students solid subject-specific core, which enables them to reach the envisaged learning outcomes. Students are well integrated into working life and have the opportunity to learn in authentic learning environments.

Metropolia continuously observes the students’ learning processes, and problems and difficulties are dealt with in cooperation between students, student services and academics. Students and external stakeholders participate in education planning, mainly on the advisory boards of degree programmes and schools. However, the external stakeholders and students should be more involved in the evidence-based enhancement of degree programmes.

‘Metropolia spirit’ encourages a creative atmosphere

Metropolia’s aim to put people first is reflected in its actions. The audit visit showed that the phenomenon-based approach, superb facilities and ‘Metropolia spirit’ encourage and enable creativity. The tendency to generate suggestions for improvement on a low-threshold level and dialogical manner was also visible.

– The ‘Metropolia spirit’ could be easily perceived during audit interviews with staff. Continuous improvement is clearly part of every employee’s mindset. However, it also turned out that responsibilities within this complex quality management still need clarification. The audit team recommends more intensive communication about the goals, instruments, and role distribution of the quality system on the operational level, says Andreas Breinbauer, chair of the audit team and rector of a Fachhochschule des BFI Wien, Austria.

Innovation hubs provide a powerful development platform for innovation and ecosystem thinking

Metropolia is a multidisciplinary and artistic community which provides a first-rate opportunity to exchange ideas across sectoral boundaries. Innovation hubs provide a good development platform based on innovation and ecosystem thinking and create an excellent link between RDI and education, which benefits the students working on it and the working life partner.

As a result of the successful audit, the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences received a FINEEC quality label valid until 31 March 2029. 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 is on the procedures used by the HEI to maintain and enhance the quality of its educational provision, research 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 FINEEC’s audit platform

Further information:
Andreas Breinbauer, professor, the Chair of the Audit Team, email: andreas.breinbauer(at)fh-vie.ac.at

Marja-Liisa Saarilammi, Project Manager, 029 533 5528, email: marja-liisa.saarilammi(at)karvi.fi