Quality through Collaboration – Daily Improvements
Quality is achieved through collaboration, and each of us plays a significant role in its development. This quality guide is primarily intended for university of applied sciences students. The guide has been developed through the collaboration of staff and students. Its purpose is to provide an overview of the university of applied sciences’ quality system and the student’s role in the quality work of the university community.
As university of applied sciences staff, our task is to ensure that you, as a student, receive contemporary and high-quality education, functional learning environments, and opportunities to contribute to the development of the working life. As a student, you are responsible for your own learning. By providing feedback and actively participating, you influence the development of our university.
Your feedback is essential in the development of our university. As a student, you have the right to see the results and interpretations of feedback surveys and participate in discussions about necessary development actions based on those results.
In addition to providing feedback, we hope that you will actively participate in the university’s activities and its development. Student matters are represented by the student union POKA, which plays an important role in the development of the university community.
Moving Forward Together
PETRI RAIVO
President
Karelia University of Applied Sciences – Supporting Students
Karelia University of Applied Sciences is a multidisciplinary university of applied sciences with statutory duties in education, research, development, and innovation activities (RDI), as well as regional development. Karelia University of Applied Sciences is a limited liability company owned by the city of Joensuu, and its highest decision-making authority is the general meeting of shareholders. The general meeting of shareholders appoints the board of directors, which is responsible for the management and organization of the company. The company has a managing director selected by the board of directors, who also serves as the rector of Karelia University of Applied Sciences. The Vice Rector is responsible for the educational activities of the university of applied sciences.
Education managers are responsible for the results, operational activities, and development of their educational responsibility areas and serve as immediate supervisors of teaching staff. Each member of the staff is responsible for the quality and development of their own work. For matters related to your studies, you can turn to teacher and student tutors, the VIP students in your group (VIP = atmosphere of care), study counselors, study curators, and the student union POKA representatives. Karelia operates according to the principle of proximity. Therefore, you should first contact the most relevant responsible person for your concerns. If your problems are not resolved within your study environment, you can, if necessary, address your concerns to the rectors of the university of applied sciences.
The administrative and support services of the university of applied sciences are mainly centralized at the Tikkarinne campus, where the library and student services are located. Many of the services are available online. You can get IT user support from the university’s HelpDesk service. The caretakers can provide information about the use of premises and safety-related matters. Study guidance is coordinated by the study counselors at Karelia. One of them works at the Tikkarinne campus, and the other at the Wärtsilä campus. Karelia has two study curators, one at each campus. Study curators support you in challenges related to life management, study, and learning. The Finnish Student Health Service (YTHS) is responsible for the university of applied sciences’ student healthcare services.
The university of applied sciences has a broad partnership network that helps you establish connections with actors in your field. Karelia’s strategic partners include the student union POKA, Siun Sote – the Joint Municipal Authority for Social and Health Services in North Karelia, and the Riveria Joint Authority for Education, which provides vocational education in various parts of the region. We collaborate closely with neighboring universities of applied sciences in organizing studies. Universities of applied sciences also offer joint online courses, where you can find complementary studies or summer courses suitable for you. Our key partners include a large number of local companies and organizations. After graduation, you can act as part of the university of applied sciences’ partnership network as an alumnus.
You can delve into the quality management of the university of applied sciences in more detail through the quality manual available on the website. You can also find more information in Karelia-intra, which is largely open to students. Information and guidance related to studies are compiled in the PAKKI student portal. In the student portal, you can also find current information about studies and student life.
Succeeding in Your Studies
The success of student recruitment and selection is important for everyone who wants to become a student, for those who have been selected, and for Karelia University of Applied Sciences. Student recruitment involves marketing communication and information about study options, with the aim of helping the applicant choose the best option for them. Students are recruited through various events, online, and on social media. The marketing communication highlights different degree programs and the experiences of students and graduates. Karelia employs student ambassadors who represent Karelia at events and produce content for social media.
Student recruitment is a responsibility of everyone studying and working at Karelia. As a student, you can actively contribute to this work by sharing your thoughts and feelings about studying and life at Karelia on social media and at various events. For example, you can mention Karelia in your Instagram posts and stories by using the Karelia brand elements available on Karelia-intra.
You can find useful information on the internet, in brochures, and during information events. If you are unsure about your choices, you can consult the educational manager, teachers, and student ambassadors at Karelia, who can provide information and experiences about the degree programs. In addition, the Sora education preparatory program can provide the basic skills required for studies at the university of applied sciences. Sora training can be a good option if you want to improve your eligibility for degree programs in the social sector. It can also help you prepare for studies at the university of applied sciences. Keep in mind that participating in the Sora training does not guarantee admission to a degree program. The degree program managers and the student services can provide more information about the Sora training.
Student Admission and Services
After you have submitted an application, you can follow the progress of your application online. The admission process follows the Finnish joint application system, and Karelia does not participate in the separate application. The application process is supervised by Karelia’s educational managers, who make the admission decisions. Karelia’s educational managers are responsible for guiding the admission of students, the curriculum development of the degree programs, and the development of education and working life partnerships. Admissions-related issues and questions about application attachments can be directed to Karelia’s educational managers.
The contact information for the education managers can be found on Karelia’s website, Karelia-intra, and the Study Guide. In the admission process, emphasis is placed on the applicant’s prior education, the required skills and knowledge, and the motivation for studying in the field. Student admission is a part of the university of applied sciences’ quality work. The degree program managers at Karelia will carry out the orientation training and guidance for new students at the beginning of the academic year. You can find information about the orientation training and its schedule on Karelia’s website, Karelia-intra, and the Study Guide.
Studies begin with an orientation period where new students are welcomed to Karelia and their studies. During the orientation, students are provided with important information and the skills required for successful studying. The student tutors and the peer students play an important role in the orientation. During the orientation training, you will receive information about the practical arrangements, schedules, curriculum, and study practices of your own degree program. The student services will help you with any questions related to studying and student services. On Karelia’s website and Karelia-intra, you can find information about practical arrangements and services related to student life.
During your studies, you can find information, teaching materials, and guidance on Karelia-intra, where you will have your own username. You can also receive personal guidance in matters related to your studies from the teacher and student tutors. Student services offer different types of support in studying and guidance for personal life management. The information about Karelia’s library services can be found on Karelia’s website. The service desk and a workroom for students are located on the Tikkarinne campus. Library services are available online for all students.
University of applied sciences studies provide students with skills for demanding expert tasks and the competencies to work in various areas. Studying at Karelia is based on active participation, the development of professional skills, and the provision of working life orientation. The university of applied sciences studies are completed by taking part in practical training and completing a thesis.
Studying at Karelia
Studies at Karelia involve a wide range of teaching methods. The core of the teaching is formed by lectures, practical exercises, projects, seminars, and online studies. The language of instruction is primarily Finnish. In the degree programs, there are also courses taught in English and in Russian. The teaching supports different types of learning styles and is interactive and participatory. The study practices at Karelia involve team work and cooperation in various projects, both at Karelia and with the working life. Karelia has a multidisciplinary learning environment, where students can study and work in different learning environments. Students can choose a study path that is suitable for their learning style. At Karelia, we support the student’s professional growth by offering diverse opportunities for completing studies. You can personalize your studies according to your career goals, strengths, and preferences. Karelia University of Applied Sciences offers a student-centered learning environment. In your studies, you can actively participate in the development of teaching and learning by giving feedback and suggestions for improvement. Student feedback is valuable and important for the development of studies. At Karelia, we place a lot of importance on student feedback.
Practical Training
Practical training is an important part of your studies. During the practical training, you will familiarize yourself with the work tasks of the field and develop the competencies required for work tasks. Practical training provides you with the opportunity to connect with the working life and working life partners. You can participate in practical training in different parts of Finland and abroad, as Karelia cooperates closely with various organizations and companies. You can find information about the practical training requirements of your own degree program from the degree program manager. The degree program manager can also provide you with more information about the practical training options.
Thesis
The thesis is an essential part of your studies. The thesis demonstrates your ability to apply the competencies you have learned during your studies to practical work tasks. The thesis is completed as a project that solves a development challenge for the working life. The thesis work is guided by a supervisor, who is a professional in the field and who offers support in completing the thesis. The thesis process is carried out in cooperation with the working life and, in particular, with the working life partners of Karelia. The thesis seminar and the maturity test are mandatory for students.
The thesis can be completed individually or as a group thesis, depending on the requirements of the degree program. The requirements of the thesis are detailed in the degree program’s own guidelines. You can find more information about the thesis work in the student portal PAKKI, on Karelia’s website, and in Karelia-intra.
International Activities
In an international environment, you will develop language skills, professional competencies, and your ability to work in a multicultural environment. You can participate in Karelia’s international activities through studies, practical training, and development projects. In addition to Karelia’s own offerings, Karelia’s international activities are expanded through the international networks and partners of Karelia. The international offerings and opportunities can be found on Karelia’s website and Karelia-intra. If you have questions about the opportunities, the international managers and the teachers in your degree program can provide you with more information. The student union POKA also plays an important role in promoting Karelia’s international activities.
Well-being and Student Life
Students have the opportunity to influence the contents and quality of their own studies. You can provide feedback and suggestions for improvement through Karelia’s feedback system. You can also participate in the development of Karelia by joining the student union POKA. POKA has a representative in Karelia’s board of directors and participates in decision-making. POKA’s office is located at the Tikkarinne campus. POKA organizes various events, tutoring, and other activities for students.
Students at Karelia have access to the library services and the Study Guide. In addition, you can use the sport services at Karelia, the student association TONGA, and other sports offerings in Joensuu. The services of the Finnish Student Health Service (YTHS) are available for Karelia students. The Karelia Food restaurant provides you with student-priced and diverse meals.
Feedback
Karelia collects feedback from students, stakeholders, and other cooperation partners to develop education, research, and other activities. Karelia’s feedback system can be found on Karelia’s website and Karelia-intra. Karelia’s students have the opportunity to influence the contents and quality of their studies through the feedback system. The student feedback is important and valuable to Karelia. Karelia wants to offer the students high-quality and functional studies. Your feedback is valuable, and it is important to Karelia’s work and quality development.
I hope this information provides you with a good understanding of what studying at Karelia University of Applied Sciences entails. If you have any more specific questions or need further details about particular aspects of studying at Karelia, please don’t hesitate to ask.