The Ministry of Education and Culture has commissioned the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to carry out an external evaluation of the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC). The objective of the evaluation was to determine whether the FINEEC evaluations provide a reliable information base for policy-making and whether the recommendations for action produced by the evaluations are feasible. The evaluation's framework was based on three aspects: relevance, coherence and effectiveness.

There is much room for improvement in internationalisation competences in Finnish higher education, a new report reveals. There were large differences between Finnish higher education institutions and study fields, and students were not aware of the internationalisation opportunities available. The results show that international cooperation in higher education was surprisingly low. 

Oulu University of Applied Sciences received special praise from the audit team for the use of the quality system in strategic management and steering of activities. The UAS has an inclusive and community-based way of working. The strengths also include the systematic development of competence-based and working life-oriented education.

Most students in the wood industry field are adults and have completed at least a secondary level qualification. The field’s lack of attraction, especially to young people and those about to complete their basic education, remains a challenge. The key strength in the skills of those completing a Vocational Qualification in the Wood Industry is using the essential machines and equipment of the field, whereas for those completing a Further Vocational Qualification it is strong vocational competence and skills.

The Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC) has awarded Aalto University and Lapland University of Applied Sciences the Quality Label for Excellence in recognition of their exceptional quality in the development of their activities. Both higher education institutions have demonstrated an innovative pioneering spirit, an approach that focuses on long-term enhancement, and a participatory operational culture.

The employment rates of holders of a further vocational qualification or specialist vocational qualification are good, but the employment rate of holders of initial vocational qualification is lower and varies considerably between fields of education. Employment also varies according to age. Especially among younger holders of an initial vocational qualification, the employment rate is initially low, but the difference balances out as time passes from graduation. 

The Education Evaluation Plan for 2024–2027 and the new FINEEC strategy have been published. Strategic objectives include raising competence and education levels, fostering social, ecological and economic sustainable development and continuous improvement of the quality of education.

The University of Oulu (UO) passed the audit conducted by the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC). The university received special praise from the audit team for its key role and well-established position in the regional knowledge, innovation, and competence creation ecosystem. UO’s commitment to promoting multidisciplinary learning and studies is strong.

The audit team praised the Police University College for the design and delivery of working life-oriented police training and a strong ability to identify their own areas for improvement through an effective and systematic quality system.

Karelia University of Applied Sciences passed the audit conducted by the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC). Karelia UAS received praise from the audit team for its quality system. The quality system is widely known in the UAS community, and the information produced by it is used diversely, especially in the management of Karelia UAS. In addition, the audit team regarded the strong link of education programme planning and RDI with Karelia UAS’s strategy and regional development as one of the UAS’s strengths.