Higher
Education in
Finland
Finland is one
of the most progressive and advanced countries in Europe.
Against a backdrop of incredible scenery, the ‘country
of lakes’ has recently attracted attention in the area
of higher education. Ross Geraghty speaks to Ms. Maija Rask,
Finnish Minister of Education and Science.
The Finnish
Education System is highly advanced, by international standards.
What was done to make it this way?
I am very proud
of the finish education system and its performance. Our
national strategy is based on a high level of education
and R&D (research and development). We have made a special
effort to boost the development of the necessary infrastructure
and expertise, so that we can meet the expectations of the
emerging knowledge-based economy.
In the 1990s
we implemented major reforms in our education system and
carried out a special investment programme in R&D. Today,
we spend nearly seven per cent on the education system.
These are very high figures by international standards,
and the government is committed to continuing this policy.
Our higher education
system is fairly large: we have 20 universities and 29 polytechnics,
and 65 per cent of the age group start studies at higher
education institutions. These figures illustrate our commitment
to raising the level of education of the whole population.
In Finland, polytechnics
are newcomers to the higher education scene. The system
was created some ten years ago with a view to raising the
level of vocational education and training and to accommodating
the needs of the increasingly heterogeneous student population.
The polytechnics were formed from post-secondary vocational
institutions, which were upgraded to higher education level
after a pilot phase and a rigorous external evaluation.
Today I would say that the polytechnics form an integral
part of our high-quality higher education system.
Have numbers
of students coming to study in Finland increased over the
years?
The
first action plan to boost internationalisation in Finnish
university education was devised at the end of the 1980s.
At that time we were able to allocate extra funding to building
up the administrative infrastructure needed to take care
of both outgoing and incoming students. We also earmarked
funds for the development of English-language programmes
at universities and polytechnics. Today, I am very pleased
to say that all our higher education institutions offer
programmes in English for the benefit of international students.
Why do you think
students consider Finland as a study destination?
I think the most
important reason is the good quality of our education and
R&D and the fields of expertise Finland is known for,
eg. ICT, pulp and paper, design, architecture and music,
to name but a few.
Also the good
provision of English-language programmes in our higher education
institutions is attractive to international students, as
well as the low cost of studies in here.
What does the
Ministry of Education do, or any other body, to accredit
the universities and polytechnics in Finland and to keep
standards high?
Universities
and polytechnics are obliged by law to systematically evaluate
their quality and performance. The polytechnics underwent
a kind of accreditation process when they sought a permanent
operating licence from the government.
The Finnish higher
education evaluation council is an independent advisory
body to the ministry of education, and it promotes and supports
evaluations and quality work in high education institutions.
The ministry rewards the institutions for high-quality performance.
Would you say
that Finnish universities are strong in the IT area? Why
do you think that this is so important, and does it give
you a strong edge over other countries?
Our universities
and polytechnics are definitely very strong in the ICT fields.
As I said earlier, the development of this area has been
one of the cornerstones in our education and science and
technology policies. Our ICT firms played a major role in
helping the Finnish economy flourish after the difficult
years of recession in the early 1990s, and I firmly believe
that this technology-driven economic growth will continue.
Therefore it is very important that out education system
keeps up with – or rather ahead of – the rapid
developments in the field.
I think most
of our international students are aware of the Finnish expertise
in the ICT fields, and for many students that was what attracted
them to Finland in the first place.
In short, what
else does Finland have to offer the international student?
In a nutshell:
high quality, good education and research facilities, a
smoothly-running student housing system, English-language
programmes, a beautiful country, friendly people and an
extraordinarily beautiful language. It is also a cost-effective
country.
