New service centre directors appointed – operations taking shape
Sanna Eronen, who holds a Master of Philosophy, has been appointed as the director of the Teaching Service Centre (working title). She is transitioning to Oulu from her role as the Director of Education at Vaasa University of Applied Sciences, where she was instrumental in launching a new Teaching and Learning Services unit. Previously, she has worked as a digital teaching and learning coach and pedagogue at the University of Vaasa. She has extensive experience in teaching and guidance, particularly in higher education pedagogy. There were 28 applicants for the position of the service centre director.
Kauko Keskisärkkä, who holds a Master of Science in Economics, has been appointed as the director of the Student Service Centre (working title). He has served as the Secretary General of the Student Union of the University of Oulu since 2019. He holds numerous positions of trust, including Chair of the Board of Uniresta Oy and member of the Board of the University of Oulu Association. Keskisärkkä has been actively involved in various university bodies and working groups. There were 31 applicants for the position of the service centre director.
"I am pleased that we received several excellent applicants for both positions. In our selections, we emphasized leadership experience, experience in superior roles, as well as expertise in pedagogy and knowledge of student life," says Vice-Rector for Education Mirja Illikainen.
The Teaching Service Centre will consolidate and centralize all support services for teaching and its development. Administrative and other services for education will remain within the academic affairs unit. The new service centre's tasks include developing curricula and teaching quality, coordinating pedagogical support for teaching, coordinating the digital mentor network, and producing online courses.
The Student Service Centre will develop study skills and support student well-being. The centre aims to improve teaching and councelling services so that the student perspective is better considered and students receive diverse guidance at different stages of their studies. The current staff of the councelling services in academic affairs will transfer to the service centre.
The start-up of the centres will also utilize strategic funding for education granted by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
The establishment of the service centres aims to improve the student experience and the quality of teaching. The Student Service Centre will continue at its current location in Virransilta, Linnanmaa, while the Teaching Service Centre will also use the Compass facilities.
The centres will operate directly under the Vice-Rector for Education Mirja Illikainen and will serve the entire university community. They will also work closely together. The service centres will begin operations at the beginning of 2025.
The University of Oulu's Board of Directors decided on the establishment of the service centres at its meeting in September.