Public Affairs and Advocacy
Xamk is an active societal actor that participates in public debate at both the regional and national levels. In addition to regional development, Xamk’s societal engagement and advocacy are directed toward the development of the entire Finnish higher education system.
Xamk is an active and responsible actor in Finnish society.
Influencing the Finnish Policy Making
We take responsibility for regional development by acting as an active societal participant. Through active dialogue with regional decision-makers and the business community, Xamk seeks to strengthen the operating conditions of universities of applied sciences and to accelerate the development and growth of the entire region.
Strong and accessible higher education continues to be one of the fundamental pillars of the Finnish welfare state and its educational tradition. Alongside regional development, Xamk’s societal engagement and advocacy focus on advancing the Finnish higher education system as a whole.
In its advocacy work, Xamk acts responsibly and transparently. Twice a year, we submit an activity report on all advocacy activities subject to reporting obligations to the Transparency Register maintained by the National Audit Office of Finland. You can read these reports on the website of the National Audit Office of Finland.
In addition, Xamk takes responsibility for fostering students’ democratic education. To enable political election activities on campuses, Xamk has prepared guidelines and rules of conduct, which can be accessed here.
For more information, please contact us!
Finland needs more highly educated work force
Finland has fallen behind in international education comparisons. Learning outcomes have also been declining. Finnish young adults are less educated than people on average in OECD countries.
Currently, about 40 percent of Finns aged 25-34 have a higher education degree. Finland’s goal is to increase the proportion of highly educated individuals to 50 percent, with ministry heads even suggesting a target of up to 70 percent.
At the same time, education has been cut by over 2 billion euros in the last 10 years.
The basic funding of universities of applied sciences must be raised.
Xamk’s solution:
The basic funding of universities of applied sciences must be raised to the level before the cuts. Additionally, the number of study places must be increased to grow the number of highly educated individuals.
Finland needs to attract more international students and create conditions for as many as possible to stay in Finland and in the regions after graduation.
It must be ensured that studies are completed. Investments are needed in quality teaching, study guidance, and student well-being.
Continuous learning and complementing studies should be encouraged regardless of age and educational level. Raising the level of expertise requires more than just educating young adults.
Research, development, and innovation activities are key to raising the level of expertise. The applied research and development work of universities of applied sciences serves our region’s working life and education. Companies’ RDI investments are the lowest in Finland. The development and internationalization of companies need to be accelerated through collaboration.
Introducing the title of Master’s degree in universities of applied sciences
The Master’s degree in universities of applied sciences is officially classified at the same level as a Master’s degree from a university. However, the degrees are not always treated as equal in the workplace.
The title YAMK used in Finland is poorly recognized in the workplace, and in some cases, it can even be misleading. For example, a graduate of a Master’s degree program in the social and health care sector may receive the title of Nurse (Master), even if they have not completed a nursing degree from a university of applied sciences.
In other parts of Europe, except for Finland and Flanders in Belgium, a graduate of a higher education degree program receives the title of Master. Finland’s title practice should be harmonized with the rest of Europe.
In Finland, a graduate of a higher education degree program in universities of applied sciences receives the title YAMK. However, in English, the same title is already in the form of “Master of –“.
The introduction of the title “Master” in universities of applied sciences would clarify the situation and standardize degree titles.
Xamk’s solution:
The introduction of the title “Master” in universities of applied sciences would clarify the situation and standardize degree titles. The title of Master would also bring experts to the same level.
The change in title is not aimed at altering the content of the higher education degree program, but rather, the Master’s degrees offered by universities of applied sciences and universities would remain distinct. Master’s degrees from universities of applied sciences would continue to be strongly oriented towards the needs of the working life.
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