University of Turku Received a Quality Label

​In the initial audit conducted in 2014–2015, the University of Turku did not meet the national audit criteria set for quality systems. The development of the quality system required actions from the institution and a re-audit. In the re-audit, the audit team focused on evaluating the quality system as a whole, development of the quality system and quality management of societal impact.

According to the audit team, the University of Turku has systematically developed its quality system based on feedback of the initial audit.

The University has developed the quality system parallel to the renewal of the strategy of the University. As a result, the new strategy is now closely linked to quality management. Simultaneously, the University has streamlined the annual planning and reporting system which has increased the uniformity and impact of quality management across the faculties and units. Additionally, the revised Quality Manual and intranet have improved the transparency of the quality system within the entire University community.

Central procedures for quality management in education consist of the curriculum renewal process and utilisation of student feedback. As regards to quality management of research, the University utilises regular external international evaluation which was seen as a good practice by the audit team. In addition, the quality management of the University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS) has been developed notably in recent years.

Students Are Supported in Career Planning by a Mentoring Programme

The audit conducted in 2015 identified the need to develop the quality management of societal interaction. The re-audit in 2017 indicated that the University of Turku has significantly improved the quality management of societal interaction and integrated it as a part of the quality system. External stakeholders have been involved in development work more than earlier. Feedback from external stakeholders has had a positive impact for instance on the Strategy of the University and curriculum development. The audit team sees that the adoption of advisory boards in all faculties is an important initiative to further develop communication with external stakeholders.

– The University has a functioning mentoring programme to support students in working life placements. Furthermore, increasing attention is being paid to the working life skills provided by the degrees. According to students, they have good possibilities to contribute to the development of education. The students feel that their feedback has a significant role in developing of actions, says Professor Niemelä.

The audit team concluded that the open and communicative quality culture is one of the strengths of the University of Turku. Internal communication has been supported by the Rector and Vice Rector's visits to the units and Rector’s regular meetings with the Student Union representatives.

– The audit report points out the strengths of the University, such as systematic annual planning and reporting, and the clearly scheduled and assigned Policy Programmes. The process of preparing the current Strategy of the University engaged different groups to a great extent. We received praise for the fact that the Strategy is known in the University community, and the University community members are committed to it. For example, the faculty and unit visits of the Rector are seen to strengthen the Strategic dialogue, says Vice Rector Riitta Pyykkö who leads the quality work of the University.

The University has solid plans in place on how to develop the quality system further. The audit team encourages the University of Turku to continue the development of quality management based on its own goals and needs.

>> The Finnish Education Evaluation Centre
>> The re-audit report of the University of Turku

TK
Photo: Hanna Oksanen