Xamk awarded a quality label – strategic RDI activities, work-life cooperation and continuous learning are strengths

South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk) has passed their audit conducted by the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC). Xamk was the second higher education institution to participate in the pilot of the fourth-cycle audit model. The audit team highlighted Xamk’s strategically well-led research, development and innovation (RDI) activities, strong work-life cooperation and systematic development of continuous learning. The audit team requires Xamk to introduce regular evaluations of its degree programmes.

Strategic RDI activities and regional impact are strengths at Xamk

The audit team identified Xamk’s RDI activities and their management as a particular strength. RDI activities are managed systematically and purposefully as part of the university of applied sciences’ strategic objectives, and Xamk has a strong foundation for using data to support the development and management of its operations. Going forward, Xamk has an opportunity to further strengthen the links between education and RDI activities and make the impact of RDI on education more visible.

Xamk’s labour market cooperation and regional impact are strong. Its degree programmes engage closely with the labour market and society. Labour market cooperation is reflected, for example, in partnerships with schools and in the use of feedback. Xamk’s open organisational culture supports development. Xamk actively identifies areas for improvement and responds quickly to emerging issues.

Student-centred education and continuous learning support competence development

The planning of Xamk’s degree programmes is based on competence-based education, the institution’s pedagogical guidelines and labour market cooperation. The programmes make use of diverse pedagogical approaches and flexible study paths. Students and staff representatives participate extensively in the institution’s various working groups.

However, there are differences between degree programmes in areas such as the specification of intended learning outcomes, assessment practices and constructive alignment, meaning the coherence of intended learning outcomes, teaching methods and assessment. The sense of community among students, consistency of guidance and opportunities for internationalisation should also be strengthened.

The audit team assessed Xamk’s development of continuous learning as a strength. Continuous learning is managed and implemented systematically, and the principles of continuous learning are reflected in the development of the education provision. The provision of continuous learning is also extensive in quantitative terms.

Regular evaluation of degree programmes and educational leadership need to be strengthened

The audit team requires Xamk to introduce regular evaluations of its degree programmes. Systematic evaluation would enable more consistent monitoring of the quality of the programmes and the impact of development measures. Xamk should also strengthen the structures, processes and systematic practices of educational leadership.

Xamk has a strong development-oriented approach, many well-functioning practices and a significant role in developing its region. It is important to ensure that good practices for developing education are implemented systematically and consistently across degree programmes, says Mika Hannula, Chair of the Audit Team.

The feedback culture in education should be developed so that the collection, analysis and use of feedback form a systematic and transparent cycle of continuous improvement as part of Xamk’s everyday life. Xamk should also pay attention to the high student drop-out rates and the low level of international student mobility.

South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences Xamk has passed the audit conducted by the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC). Xamk was awarded a quality label valid until 24 February 2033. A successful audit demonstrates that Xamk’s operations and quality system meet national and European criteria for quality assurance in higher education (ESG). In the fourth-cycle audit (2025–2030), the focus is on strategic management and quality assurance and enhancement, as well as teaching and guidance that support learning. The audits are enhancement-led and assess the institution’s activities in relation to its own objectives and operating environment. The evaluation criteria used in the audit are published in FINEEC’s Audit Manual for Higher Education Institutions – Pilot Phase.

The audit report is available on FINEEC’s website.

Further information

• President, CEO Mika Hannula, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Chair of the Audit Team, mika.hannula@tamk.fi, tel. +358 40 033 1838
• Lead Advisor for Evaluation Mira Huusko, Project Manager for the audit, mira.huusko@karvi.fi, tel. +358 29 533 1877