The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
Menu
The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
11.04.2016
The Student Union (ISYY) calls into question UEF’s specialisation strategy and the way in which UEF has played its role as a societal decision maker. The fate of Savonlinna campus has raised valid concerns among students over the quality and diversity of teaching and facilities. Uncertainty about the future has spread among the teaching staff as well, which has become apparent in the decreased quality of contact teaching. UEF should strive to ensure that the quality of teaching is at a high level and focus on students’ wellbeing instead of having two cities competing against each other. Case Savonlinna certainly raises doubts over the value UEF sees in its best promoters, the students, and their wellbeing during studies.
The Student Union (ISYY) is worried that the quality of teaching may decrease, and that the facilities and available space may prove inadequate if Savonlinna’s teacher training is moved to Joensuu. With these acts UEF is taking a clear step towards mass production of degrees. The Student Union (ISYY) sees that UEF has been able to reach its current stature by offering students high-quality and diverse education. From a viewpoint of regional policy, these decisions present a setback in societal influence.
“With all the song and dance surrounding the Ministry of Education and Culture, UEF should take a step back and really consider its plans for the future. By moving teacher training away from Savonlinna, UEF is effectively amputating a viable and functional arm of its operations instead of continuing to specialise in providing high-quality and diverse education. Today it is important to emphasise strengths, instead of crippling them,” states Chairperson of the Executive Board Juho Ikonen.
The majority of students come to Savonlinna from Eastern and South-Eastern Finland, but Savonlinna attracts students nationwide. In Savonlinna, students feel they have the support and counsel they need throughout their studies, which facilitates meeting their targeted graduation times. The relatively small Savonlinna campus offers an encouraging atmosphere that allows students to exceed their personal goals, to support each other and to have a firm grasp on life and studies. ISYY believes that factors affecting the wellbeing of students, for instance the student housing situation, availability of summer jobs and internships, and the range of leisure activities, are in a better state in Savonlinna than in other campus cities. Students’ wellbeing should be of the utmost importance to UEF as the cornerstones of the mental and physical coping skills that students need for life after graduation are laid down during studies.
The capacity of Joensuu and Kuopio to ensure the welfare of students has been pushed to its limit. Joensuu has the worst student housing situation according to a nationwide report. The city of Joensuu has made promises to invest in student housing and to construct more buildings but these undertakings can only partially solve the problematic situation. If the number of students in Joensuu were to see a significant rise, it would only worsen the students’ difficult situation. UEF has not disclosed its plans concerning teaching facilities if Savonlinna’s teacher training is moved to Joensuu. In the past, UEF has relocated international communications training from Savonlinna to Joensuu leaving modern teaching facilities standing empty. This is contrary to UEF’s goal of being the university with the most advanced learning environment in Finland.
The plans of the Ministry of Education and Culture for the future of Finnish higher education have been a cause for alarm for many higher education institutions, which has resulted in several mergers in an effort to strengthen their status. This state of fear is dangerous and could potentially have destructive consequences if allowed to take root in decision making. The Student Union (ISYY)’s position is that a progressive and modern university does not centralise, but firmly believes in itself, in its strengths, and in developing them.
“One of UEF’s strengths lies in its campuses, which are positioned as highly specialised units. Savonlinna campus has distinguished itself nationally as a great example of the type of cross-cultural interaction that was called for in the Government Programme. We believe that arts studies can help in developing cultural interaction and building bridges between different cultures; in fact, the campus is actively cooperating with reception centres, for instance. What kind of an image does UEF project of its operations if it fails to listen to Savonlinna campus students and staff members in its decision making?” asks the first vice president of the Executive Board Juho-Pekka Maunula.
A survey conducted in Savonlinna and the answers given by students have been used as reference in this statement. The survey examined the level of wellbeing and teaching on Savonlinna campus.
Further information:
Juho Ikonen
Chairperson of the Executive Board
The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY)
044-5768400
puheenjohtaja@isyy.fi
Anna-Kristiina Mikkonen
Secretary General
The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY)
044 576 8417
paasihteeri@isyy.fi
The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY) is a student advocacy organisation, which provides services for students and aims to promote the societal, social and intellectual aspirations of its members. The Student Union (ISYY) operates on three University campuses in Joensuu, Kuopio and Savonlinna.