Graduates rated SeAMK as the best University of Applied Sciences in Finland
Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SeAMK) achieved the position of the best university of applied sciences in Finland in a recent AVOP – Graduand feedback questionnaire. SeAMK ranks first when looking at both bachelor’s degrees and bachelor’s and master’s degrees together. The ranking is calculated based on the averages of all about a hundred questions in the survey.
The assessments given by the graduating students continue to develop favourably. In the previous year’s survey, SeAMK was third in the overall results and at that time rose to number one position in many areas of the survey: learning environments, study support services and study satisfaction. In addition to these, number one position was also achieved in the recent results in the groups of questions concerning studies as well as feedback and assessment.
“This is a really big deal for us. Determined work has been done at SeAMK to make us the best university in Finland for students. Our entire strategy is built around this endeavour. I am very proud on behalf of our employees that SeAMK is now a proven leader in Finland. Now that this level has been reached, determined development work must continue. Every Finnish university of applied sciences wants to be the best, and this is also measured every year,” rejoices Jaakko Hallila, President and CEO of SeAMK.
Hallila also sends congratulations to Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) in Pori, which ranked second in the results. SeAMK and SAMK have a strategic partnership agreement, and the universities cooperate in research, student entrepreneurship, quality work and the development of ICT services, among other things.
SeAMK has many of Finland’s best bachelor’s degree programmes
SeAMK’s degree programmes also perform well in the national comparison. Among the bachelor’s degree programmes, the degree programmes in Business Administration, Mechanical Engineering, Food Processing and Biotechnology, Automation Engineering, Food and Hospitality, Social Services and in Elderly Care are ranked at the top of the country.
Also close to the top are the bachelor’s degree programmes in Physiotherapy (3rd) and in Library and Information Services (2nd).
“I am particularly pleased that we have been successful in the evaluations of many different education fields. The nation’s top position was achieved in a total of six degree programmes in four fields. The fact that we have succeeded as a multidisciplinary university is a good incentive for the further development of multidisciplinarity,” says Tuija Vasikkaniemi, Education Development Manager.
Provision of entrepreneurial skills and the student union SAMO receive commendable reviews
The areas of the graduand feedback questionnaire include several individual questions.
In individual questions, SeAMK obtained strategically important results in providing entrepreneurial skills, which students rated worthy of a second place. According to the survey, SeAMK is also at the forefront in utilising working life experts in the university’s operations, as well as the services and activities of the student union SAMO to support studies.
In the question regarding the activities of the student union, SAMO’s first place is fifth in a row.
“The incorruptible feedback from the students warms our hearts and we receive it with humble gratitude. For us at SAMO, student’s needs and community are the starting point for all activities. The tremendous success in this survey cannot be a coincidence, but it tells of long-term work and success. I would like to thank and congratulate our active shop stewards and our knowledgeable workers for a good result,” commented Kimmo Niemi, Secretary General of Student Union SAMO.
About the questionnaire
AVOP – Graduand feedback questionnaire of the universities of applied sciences asks graduating students to evaluate and provide feedback on their education. The findings are used locally by universities to improve their processes and practices and nationally to inform performance-based monitoring and funding. All graduating degree students from universities of applied sciences are requested to fill out the questionnaire.
The questionnaire was developed in close cooperation with the Rectors’ Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (ARENE), the Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (SAMOK), Foundation for Research on Studying and Education (OTUS) and the Ministry for Education and Culture. The responsibility for development and implementation of the questionnaire lies with Arene.
The statistics are freely available at the Vipunen statistics services of the educational administration.
Further information:
Jaakko Hallila
President and CEO
SeAMK Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences
jaakko.hallila@seamk.fi
+358 40 8680621