Educational policy sector’s spring review 2023

What has HYY’s educational policy sector been working on this spring? What have we done and how have we influenced matters? Read this article to find out what Teemu Kovanen and Onni Nyman, the members of our Board in charge of educational policy, and Riku-Petteri Kyllönen and Mathilda Timmer, our specialists in educational policy, have been up to! Riku-Petteri, our new specialist in educational policy, started in his position in March.

Requests for comments and statements

At the beginning of the year, we commented on the update process for the University’s Strategic Plan that the University Board launched due to changes in the global situation. The factors of change being commented on were related to various global crises: the ecological sustainability crisis, pandemics and wars. The University requested comments on the challenges these crises are causing in Finnish society as well as their effects on the University and its ability to function.

We also commented on the thesis working group’s proposals on making the process of writing master’s theses run more smoothly. During the spring, the University has updated its philosophy of teaching, and we participated in the process by submitting a comment and discussing the matter in the Academic Affairs Council.

Selection of the new rector

One of the most important things to happen at the University during the spring was the selection of a new rector. We participated in the discussion, focusing on characteristics that are important for the rector to have from a student perspective. We monitored the process closely both in the hearing held for the collegium and in public discussion.

We actively communicated about the different stages of the selection process while also bringing attention to student views. In cooperation with the Finnish Union of University Professors, the Helsinki University Association of Researchers and Teachers and the University of Helsinki PhD Students, we amplified the voice of the entire University community. We also supported the student representatives of the collegium in their important work and with discussions related to the matter.

The University Board will select the vice rectors in its meeting on 14 June.

Parliamentary elections

Before the parliamentary elections, we participated in HYY’s election work. We had meetings with parliamentary election candidates and took part in the panel discussions focused on different political parties organised by the University. In addition to the meetings, we built connections to the future members of the parliament and other key decision-makers.

The future of university teaching and future scenarios

As part of the jubilee year for university teaching, we participated in a workshop on scenarios for university teaching for 2035. In cooperation with the University, we organised a workshop on the scenarios aimed at students, delving into potential futures for the University and their impact on students. The University’s work on these scenarios has also had a major impact on the update processes for the Strategic Plan and the philosophy of teaching, for instance.

Digital degree certificates

The University is preparing a transition to entirely digital degree certificates. We collected feedback on the plans using a form that almost 800 students filled in. Students are not happy about the change, as the reform was only given a grade of 2.2 on a scale of one to ten. We sent all the feedback to the University in the form it was submitted in and will continue to discuss the matter with the University.

Looking for new student representatives

Early on in the year, we organised a major supplementary call for applications for positions for student representatives. In addition to this, we appointed new student representatives for the Academic Appeals Board, Una Europa’s Student Board, the steering group for the science education network and the steering group for the digitalisation of teaching in late spring.

Meetings and other advocacy work

We have been actively participating in various meetings and meeting different interest groups. We continued our regular meetings with Director of Development Susanna Niinistö-Sivuranta from the University’s Teaching and Learning Services. The topics in these discussions have included the philosophy of teaching, the University’s scenarios for the future and the development of teaching, guidance and support for international students and possibilities for student representatives to miss classes with mandatory attendance in order to participate in administration.

We have participated in developing the University as part of the operating culture development project. The project focuses on developing the entire University community’s operating culture in a coordinated fashion in order to strengthen the wellbeing and sense of community among both students and personnel.

In cooperation with the project, we organised a workshop in the Learning Adventure. Through the workshop, we gained some valuable insight on students’ sense of belonging to the academic community and ways of strengthening this sense. We also organised shared events at the City Centre and Viikki campuses for students and personnel to reflect on ways to reinforce communality and inclusivity at the University.

We have also participated in the University’s anniversary celebration, the National Union of University Students in Finland’s spring seminar and SYL’s sectoral meetings on educational policy. We had a meeting with University Management at a dinner with the future of university teaching as the theme.

We have also represented students in various administrative bodies and working groups at the University. These have included the Academic Affairs Council, the operating culture development project, the project and steering groups of the review of degree programmes and the University’s Quality Management Steering Group. We also met with Professor of Microeconomic Theory Hannu Vartiainen to discuss funding models for universities.

Teemu and Onni, the members of our Board in charge of educational policy, participated in the discussion on students returning to the campuses. The duo also took part in the Learning Adventure organised as part of the jubilee year for teacherhood. The adventure focused on involving students in the development of degree programmes. Onni further participated in a panel discussion organised at the Teachers’ Academy’s 10-year anniversary seminar on the future of teaching and learning.

Best wishes for the summer,

Teemu Kovanen & Onni Nyman

Members of the Board in charge of educational policy

Riku-Petteri Kyllönen & Mathilda Timmer

Specialists in educational policy