Xamk’s quality management system to be audited in spring 2026

The quality management system of South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk) will be audited in spring 2026 by the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC). Xamk will act as a pilot higher education institution in the fourth audit cycle, during which the audit model will be tested and further developed prior to the launch of the full cycle in 2027. LUT University is also participating in the pilot phase.

The audit forms part of the national quality assurance system for higher education and aims to support the continuous development of higher education institutions.

The audit will focus on Xamk’s operations as a whole, including leadership, education, support services and RDI activities. The audit does not assess individual members of staff or students.

A Diverse Evaluation Panel

The Chair of the evaluation panel appointed by FINEEC is Professor Mika Hannula, D.Sc. (Tech.). President and CEO of Tampere University of Applied Sciences. He has extensive experience in the higher education sector, leadership and board work both in Finland and internationally.

Other members of the evaluation panel are:

• Tuomas Kara, MA (Forest Ecology)
   Senior Manager, Environment and Responsibility, UPM Forest
  

• Sanja Laitinen-Lindelöf
   Child and Family Worker, Social Services and Diaconia student, Diaconia University of Applied Sciences
   

• Anu Pruikkonen, D.Sc. (Adimin)
   Education Manager, Lapland University of Applied Sciences
   

The audit project managers from FINEEC are Counsellor of Evaluation Mira Huusko and Senior Evaluation Advisor Nikolas Bursiewicz.

The audit process progresses in stages

The audit process began in autumn 2025 with the signing of the audit agreement. Xamk submitted the audit materials and the self‑evaluation report to FINEEC at the end of January 2026. The self‑evaluation report will be published for the entire higher education community to read during February.

The on‑site audit visit will take place on 22–23 April 2026, when the evaluation panel will visit Xamk’s Mikkeli campus. During the visit, thematic interviews and workshops will be organized for different target groups.

The writing and finalization of the audit report will continue throughout the spring and summer. Xamk will participate in the factual review of the report in August 2026, and the Higher Education Evaluation Committee will decide on the outcome of the audit at the end of August. The audit process will conclude with a decision seminar in autumn 2026.

Key stages and timetable of the audit

• Xamk selected as a pilot institution for FINEEC’s fourth audit cycle: April 2025
• Signing of the audit agreement: Autumn 2025
• Appointment of the evaluation panel: Autumn 2025
• Submission of audit materials and the self‑evaluation report to FINEEC: End of January 2026
• Audit information and discussion event for the higher education community: 30 March 2026
• Audit visit to the Mikkeli campus: 22–23 April 2026
• Writing and finalisation of the audit report: Spring–Summer 2026
• Xamk’s factual review of the audit report: August 2026
• Decision by the Higher Education Evaluation Committee on the audit outcome: End of August 2026
• Decision seminar: Autumn 2026

Focus on development

Xamk’s primary objective in the fourth audit cycle is to further develop the organisation’s operations to better meet the needs of regional working life and students. In addition, the aim is to pass all evaluation areas at least at the level Good.

Further Information

Further information on the fourth audit cycle is available on FINEEC’s website.