Internationalisation Policy of the University of Eastern Finland 2012 2015

Internationalisation Policy of the University of Eastern Finland 2012 2015

Internationalisation Policy of the University of Eastern Finland 2012 2015 1

Contents Introduction 3 1 Mission and Vision of the University of Eastern Finland 5 2 An Internationally Active Research University 6 3 International Educational Cooperation 7 3.1 Teaching and Research Staff Mobility 7 3.2 International Study Programmes Taught in English 8 3.3 International Student Mobility 9 4 Participation in International Networks 10 4.1 International Networks 10 4.2 Transnational Research and Education 12 5 Global Responsibility and International Development Cooperation 13 6 An Internationally Recognised University 14 6.1 Export of Education 6.2 International Campuses and Regional Impact 15 7 Quality Management and Performance Indicators Relating to International Activities 16 2 INTERNATIONALISATION POLICY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN FINLAND

Introduction The higher education sector is becoming increasingly international. One of the underlying reasons for this development is a transition towards a global knowledge-based economy. The objectives of the Lisbon Strategy (2000), which has been ratified by the Member States of the European Union (EU), involve investments in research, education and innovations in order to make the EU the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world. However, according to analyses by the European Commission in 2005 and 2006, only a few European universities are recognised as global leaders. Indeed, European higher education institutions are failing to attract enough students, researchers and investments from outside the EU. Currently, the United States is the leader in attracting the best students, while China and India are also emerging as rivals to European higher education institutions. Furthermore, university-business cooperation between European universities and companies is not extensive enough. The following measures are proposed to be taken to promote the internationalisation of European higher education institutions: increasing cooperation and the mobility of students, teaching staff, researchers, and other staff between higher education institutions; improving the visibility and attractiveness of the European Research Area and the European Higher Education Area; creating programmes offering labour market driven expertise and competencies; and introducing performancebased funding models. The Strategy for the Internationalisation of Higher Education Institutions in Finland, published by the Ministry of Education of Finland in 2009 (from 2010, the Ministry of Education and Culture), responds to the objectives of the European Commission as follows: Internationalisation of higher education, research and innovation systems is at the core of societal renewal. Moreover, internationalisation of higher education institutions promotes diversity in society and within the business community, international networking, competitiveness and innovativeness, as well as improves the well-being, competence and education of the citizens. The attractiveness of Finland as a business, work and living environment must be increased. The primary objectives of the Strategy for the Internationalisation of Higher Education Institutions in Finland include: creating a genuinely international higher education community; increasing the quality and attractiveness of higher education institutions; promoting the export of expertise; supporting a multicultural society; and promoting global responsibility. 3

The Finnish Education Export Strategy, published by the Ministry of Education in 2010, strives towards Finland becoming one of the world s leading education-based economies, which relies on the high quality of its education system, as well as towards significantly increasing the proportion of education and knowledge exports in relation to overall exports by 2015. The University of Eastern Finland faces the above challenges in its Strategy for 2010 2015, in which international cooperation is defined as an integral part of all activities of the University of Eastern Finland. The present Internationalisation Policy of the University of Eastern Finland introduces the measures for achieving the goals relating to internationalisation as defined in the university s Strategy, while also taking into consideration Finland s national goals. This Internationalisation Policy is supplemented by an Action Plan for Internationalisation. The implementation of the university s Internationalisation Policy is coordinated by the International Relations Office. The Working Group preparing the Internationalisation Policy of the University of Eastern Finland was established by Professor Perttu Vartiainen, Rector of the University of Joensuu, and by Professor Matti Uusitupa, Rector of the University of Kuopio, on February 2, 2009. The Working Group was comprised of the following members: Professor Jussi Parkkinen, Vice Rector, Chair of the Working Group Professor Katri Vehviläinen-Julkunen, Vice Rector, Vice-Chair of the Working Group Professor Leena Alhonen, Dean, A.I. Virtanen Institute Mr. Hannu Berlin, Head of Student Services Dr. Raija Elsinen, Director of the Language Centre Ms. Liisa Hakola, Director of Communications Ms. Sonja Kuosmanen, Representative of the Student Union Ms. Päivi Nerg, Director of Administration until August 31, 2009 Professor Jopi Nyman, Department of Foreign Languages and Translation Studies Dr. Esko Paakkola, Director, Aducate Professor Juhani Ruuskanen, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Dr. Liisa Tahvanainen, Director of International Relations Dr. Pasi Tuunainen, Senior Researcher, Department of Historical and Geographical Studies Ms. Anitta Etula, Deputy Director of International Relations, Secretary to the Working Group Ms. Outi Savonlahti, Deputy Director of International Relations, Secretary to the Working Group The Working Group presented the Internationalisation Policy of the University of Eastern Finland to Rector Perttu Vartiainen on September 30, 2009. The Internationalisation Policy was updated by the International Relations Office at the end of the year 2011. The Internationalisation Policy of the University of Eastern Finland was approved by the Leadership Group of the university on February 15, 2012. 4 INTERNATIONALISATION POLICY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN FINLAND

1 Mission and Vision of the University of Eastern Finland The mission of the University of Eastern Finland is to conduct internationally recognised research and to provide education that is of a high international standard. Furthermore, the university has a strong profile in its areas of expertise and it takes a particular interest in promoting the regional development of eastern Finland. The vision of the University of Eastern Finland is to be an internationally recognised research university, which is among the three most important universities in Finland and among the leading 200 universities in the world. 5

2 An Internationally Active Research University The University of Eastern Finland seeks to be among the world s leading 200 universities by 2015. Reaching this goal requires engaging in active international research cooperation, not only in the university s current areas of expertise but, in the long run, also in the fields which in international evaluations have been identified as having potential to become future areas of expertise of the University of Eastern Finland. When targeting resources for research in the current and future areas of expertise, attention is paid to international research cooperation, researcher mobility and international cooperation in doctoral education. Researchers, research groups and research networks play a leading role in the internationalisation of research. The university s researchers are active in applying for research funding from international sources. The university s researchers participate in the planning and follow-up committees of international research programmes. The university organises efficient support services for research. The university supports researchers engaging in international research cooperation at the most advanced level. 6 INTERNATIONALISATION POLICY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN FINLAND

3 International Educational Cooperation International educational cooperation is a tool for enhancing the quality of the education offered by the university. Engaging in international educational cooperation also allows the educational standards of the university to be evaluated by the international academic community. Furthermore, international educational cooperation promotes the university s public image and the university s visibility within the academic scientific community and on the increasingly global education market. International educational cooperation is also a means for enhancing and fostering an international atmosphere on the university s campuses and thus for promoting personal growth, tolerance and understanding of global responsibility among university members. The Ministry of Education has defined the following indicators for the review period 2010 2015 to evaluate the internationalisation of the university with regard to international educational cooperation: the overall number of persons participating in international student exchanges; the number of international degree students; the number of international visits by teaching and research staff; and studies completed in international study programmes taught in English. 3.1 TEACHING AND RESEARCH STAFF MOBILITY Teaching and research staff mobility promotes, diversifies and deepens the university s international cooperation in research and education, as well as the university s international networks. Indeed, researcher mobility is an essential element in research projects carried out within international networks. The university s teaching and research staff mobility has experienced a significant growth over the past few years, and the goal by 2015 is to multiply the level of 2010 by 1.5. The university supports the international mobility of researchers. The university includes a course supporting internationalisation in the studies of doctoral students and in the training of postdoctoral researchers. Teaching staff exchanges are included in university teachers work plans covering 1,600 hours of work per person per year. The university encourages its researchers and teaching staff to be more active in visiting the university s partner institutions and research institutes abroad, and to expand the duration of their visits to a minimum of one week. The university s researchers are active in participating in international doctoral and postdoctoral research programmes. The working life skills of the university s graduates are enhanced by international trainee mobility programmes intended for newly graduated students. The university launches a service concept to cater for the needs of incoming international researchers and teaching staff in particular. The university offers supporting services relating to teaching and research staff mobility on all campuses of the university. 7

3.2 INTERNATIONAL STUDY PROGRAMMES TAUGHT IN ENGLISH The international degree and non-degree programmes taught in English at the University of Eastern Finland make the university a sought-after partner and an attractive alternative for international teaching staff and international exchange and degree students. The international degree and non-degree programmes offered by the University of Eastern Finland are of a high standard and based on research, which ensures that the university s graduates are internationally acknowledged experts who thrive in the global employment environment. The university seeks to launch at each of its faculties at least one international degree programme which is taught in English and which spans the entire study path from the Bachelor s to the Master s degree, and further on to the doctoral degree. These programmes are required to have international appeal and they need to be developed into exportable products. In addition to the international degree programmes, each of the faculties also has a sufficient number of non-degree programmes intended for exchange and visiting students. These programmes also promote the internationalisation of Finnish students in Finland and prepare them for studying abroad. International degree and non-degree programmes taught in English are also offered to students in association with foreign partner universities. Within this framework, students complete a part of their studies at a foreign partner university, which also welcomes members of the teaching staff as visiting lecturers. The degree programmes offered in cooperation with foreign partner institutions seek to offer students a double or a joint degree. The international degree and non-degree programmes in the university s areas of expertise are developed in a more competitive direction and sufficient financial resources are secured to support this development. The university s doctoral programmes taught in English are restructured to allow their better marketing. Each of the faculties has one or several high-level international Master s degree programmes. The annual student intake in each of the international Master s degree programmes is at least 15 20 students. Each of the faculties has at least one international degree programme which is taught in English and which spans the entire study path from the Bachelor s to the Master s degree, and further on to the doctoral degree. The university encourages its high-quality Master s and doctoral degree programmes to participate in international educational cooperation projects. The Open University offers study modules taught in English; these study modules can be marketed internationally. 8 INTERNATIONALISATION POLICY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN FINLAND

3.3 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT M O B I LIT Y The university s goals regarding international student mobility for 2015 are defined as follows: the university has at least 1,000 international degree students, and every year, a total of 1,000 University of Eastern Finland students and international exchange students take part in student or trainee mobility schemes lasting for a minimum of three months. The university promotes student and trainee mobility and increases the number of international degree students by investing in student recruitment and by ensuring that the services relating to student mobility and the services offered to international degree students are of a high standard. Other measures to promote student and trainee mobility include setting up state-ofthe-art learning environments on all campuses and recognising studies completed abroad in full. International student and trainee mobility: The university is active in participating in international student mobility programmes and educational cooperation projects. The university s bilateral exchange programmes are constantly improved. The university includes in its Bachelor s and Master s degrees an obligatory course supporting the internationalisation of students. The university s support services relating to student mobility will be made more flexible. The quality of these services will be enhanced. The university strives towards reciprocity in both student and trainee mobility programmes. International degree students: The admissions procedures to all international Master s and doctoral degree programmes taught in English are unified. Students are offered support services that are of a high standard and flexible. To support student recruitment, the university makes attractive and high quality marketing materials not only in English, but also in other strategically significant languages, e.g., in Chinese. 9

4 Participation in International Networks The University of Eastern Finland assures a high level of research and teaching by cooperating with the international scientific community. International cooperation is an integral part of the university s research activities. Furthermore, researchers and research groups representing the university s areas of expertise are networked with the leading international universities and research institutes. The university s researchers, research groups and research networks engage in international cooperation at their own initiative, and the fields of cooperation are defined on the basis of academic research interests. International networking also promotes the acquisition of external, competed funding. The university is also involved in networks of international educational cooperation, in which the fields of cooperation are defined on the basis of the university s strategy. In addition to cooperation in research and education, the university also participates in international development projects. The university s strategic areas of cooperation in research and education include Europe, North-West Russia, North America, and China, as well as India and southern Africa. 4.1 INTERNATIONAL NETWORKS Europe The university s research groups have a solid history of cooperation with European partners. Furthermore, the university s research groups are active in participating in research consortia sponsored by the European Union. Educational cooperation is promoted through networks built within the programmes of the EU and the Nordic Council of Ministers (the Erasmus and Nordplus programmes in particular), as well as through the Baltic Sea Region University Network and the Campus Europae network. North America The university s research groups have significant partners at North American universities and research institutes. This cooperation is taken further within the framework of the ASLA-Fulbright programme. Educational cooperation is also promoted through the International Student Exchange Programme, ISEP, and through the University of North Carolina Exchange Programme, UNCEP. Russia The university enjoys a solid status in its areas of expertise in terms of its research and educational cooperation with the leading Russian universities and research 10 INTERNATIONALISATION POLICY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN FINLAND

institutions. The most important networks for educational cooperation include the Finnish-Russian Cross-Border University, CBU, and the Finnish-Russian Student Exchange Programme, FIRST, which is sponsored by the Finnish Centre for International Mobility, CIMO. The university is also a member of the Association of Finno- Ugric Universities, AFUU. China The university is a member of the Nordic Centre at Fudan University, NCF, in China. Furthermore, the university is actively involved in the development of the Nordic Studies programme aimed at Chinese students, and the NCF offers summer courses at Fudan University to Nordic students. Research and educational cooperation with Chinese universities, research institutions and companies is promoted by the Sino- Finnish Environmental Research Centre, SFERC, established jointly by the University of Eastern Finland and Nanjing University. India The university has bilateral agreements of cooperation with the leading Indian universities. The university is a member of the Nordic Centre in India, NCI, which cooperates with various Indian universities. Furthermore, the University of Eastern Finland hosts the NCI Secretariat. The university s student and staff members may participate in courses organised by the NCI in India. Southern Africa The university is a member of the Southern- African Nordic Centre, SANORD, which comprises universities from southern Africa and the Nordic countries. SANORD promotes research and educational cooperation with universities and research institutes in southern Africa, and the university s involvement in the network also promotes the public image of the university in southern African countries. International cooperation is deepened and diversified with partners and networks that are well-suited for the university s profile. The university directs the activities of the CBU, considering its areas of expertise, and consolidates the status of the CBU as a Finnish-Russian university. The university participates actively in the activities of the NCF. The university continues to host the Secretariat of the NCI. Through the NCI, the university will further develop and expand cooperation with southern Asian countries. The university s profile is enhanced in southern African countries through the SANORD network. 11

4.2 TRANSNATIONAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION The University of Eastern Finland seeks to increase the university s international significance and visibility, as well as the international impact of its research and educational cooperation, through units being established in China and southern Africa. Such units provide a permanent infrastructure for research and educational cooperation, enabling the university to offer doctoral and Master s degree programmes in the host countries concerned. Sino-Finnish Environmental Research Centre (SFERC) The Sino-Finnish Environmental Research Centre, located on the Xianlin campus of Nanjing University, is a joint effort of the University of Eastern Finland and Nanjing University to promote multidisciplinary research and educational cooperation relating to the environment. Southern Africa The University of Eastern Finland has a long history in research and educational cooperation with universities in sub-saharan and East African countries, e.g., in the fields of Educational Sciences, Health Sciences, Natural Sciences and Forestry, as well as in Social Sciences. The university seeks to establish more permanent forms of cooperation, possibly a branch campus, in cooperation with one or more partner institutions in southern Africa. The education offered in southern Africa increases students knowhow relating to Africa. International University Hub The International University Hub established at the University of Eastern Finland serves as a gateway for the university s international partners to initiate their research and educational activities in Finland and other European countries. The first partner to set up a branch office at the International University Hub was the Energy and Resources Institute, TERI, from India. CBU The University of Eastern Finland also promotes transnational education within the framework of the Finnish-Russian Cross- Border University, CBU. The university develops double and joint degree programmes with selected international partner institutions, making use of its experiences gained within the Erasmus Mundus and EU-Canada programmes of the European Union. The university develops its international cooperation in research and education in Environmental Sciences through the Sino-Finnish Environmental Research Centre located at Nanjing University. Researcher and doctoral student mobility between the University of Eastern Finland and Nanjing University is increased. The university investigates possibilities for establishing permanent forms of cooperation, possibly a branch campus, with one or more partner institutions in southern Africa. The university further develops its cooperation in research and education with the Energy and Resources Institute, TERI. 12 INTERNATIONALISATION POLICY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN FINLAND

5 Global Responsibility and International Development Cooperation The responsibility for finding practical applications for innovations and expertise resulting from scientific research lies with the academic communities. The university participates in development programmes of Finland and the EU, as well as in development cooperation projects sponsored by various organisations and foundations. The University of Eastern Finland promotes the global principles of sustainable development in accordance with the university s Action Plan for Sustainable Development. Furthermore, the university has long-term experience of development cooperation projects with Asian and African countries. Social responsibility, equal opportunities, and ecologically sound principles are emphasised in the implementation of projects. The university has a Partnership Agreement with the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP. Furthermore, the university has concluded a Partnership Agreement with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, UNITAR, to promote the level of know-how in developing countries, especially in the field of Information Technology. The university establishes instructions relating to the ethical aspects of international cooperation. The university participates in international development projects and programmes carried out in developing countries in cooperation with the university s foreign partner institutions. The university cooperates with UNEP in educational and research projects and is actively involved in UNEP s Global Universities Partnership for Environment and Sustainability, GUPES. The university carries out educational and research projects in cooperation with UNITAR. 13

6 An Internationally Recognised University The university s reputation rests on a high standard of research and research-based education. The university s acknowledged reputation and public image enhance its international competitiveness. The university is actively marketed to international partners, students, researchers, sponsors and representatives of the media. The university s faculties, schools and departments are encouraged to organise international conferences and seminars. Members of the scientific community are encouraged to establish international networks and to be available for international positions of trust and evaluation assignments. To promote awareness of the university and to strengthen its public image, members of the university s academic community are encouraged to actively participate in international conferences. The university initiates international alumni activities. Contacts with international alumni are expected to be beneficial, for example, in the international marketing of the university. 6.1 EXPORT OF EDUCATION The university s degree programmes, tailormade training programmes and continuing education courses constitute the university s range of tuition-charging educational products. Furthermore, the university s range of tuition-charging educational products include non-degree programmes taught in English, which are offered to visiting students who study at the university outside the framework of any international or bilateral exchange programmes. The university develops its educational exports in accordance with the Finnish Education Export Strategy of the Ministry of Education and Culture. Furthermore, the university participates in the activities of the national education export cluster and is involved in both national and international networks seeking to promote the export of education. 14 INTERNATIONALISATION POLICY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN FINLAND

The university, together with Finpro, participates in the activities of the Finnish education export cluster. The university cooperates with national and international partners in the marketing of its educational products. The university creates attractive educational products for its current and future areas of expertise. These products encompass the entire study path from the Bachelor s to the Master s degree, and further on to the doctoral degree. The university s doctoral programmes are turned into internationally marketable products. The university sets up a scholarship programme for international degree students. Several evaluations have found the university s research and education to be of a high standard. This fact will be highlighted in the university s marketing activities. 6.2 INTERNATIONAL CAMPUSES AND REGIONAL IMPACT The atmosphere on all campuses of the university is international and committed to multicultural values. The university s services are available in English for international students, teaching staff, researchers and administrators on all campuses. The university is actively involved in international networks and promotes cooperation with the business community. Together with its partners, the university promotes the internationalisation of the Joensuu, Kuopio and Savonlinna regions. The university seeks to increase the number of international staff by developing its international recruitment activities. The university carries out its internal information activities in both Finnish and English. All members of staff are encouraged to acquire international competence as part of their career development and to participate in international mobility programmes. Internationalisation constitutes part of the staff training of the university. The university develops reciprocal, international trainee mobility schemes in cooperation with the regional chambers of commerce, municipalities and companies. 15

7 Quality Management and Performance Indicators Relating to International Activities Continuous evaluation of the university s international activities constitutes part of the quality management system of the University of Eastern Finland. The Advisory Council for International Cooperation of the University of Eastern Finland plans and further develops the university s international cooperation, as well as quality management and evaluation of internationalisation, in accordance with this Internationalisation Policy. The university introduces internal indicators relating to internationalisation. All faculties draw up plans on how to reach their targets relating to internationalisation. The university carries out an evaluation of its international degree and non-degree programmes taught in English. The university targets resources for the further development and marketing of its international Master s and non-degree programmes. The university rewards faculties, schools/departments, other units, and individuals for achieving goals relating to internationalisation. 16 INTERNATIONALISATION POLICY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN FINLAND