Development of education
”A university is not a university without teaching, and teaching is not a secondary role alongside research. Every teaching situation and every encounter with a student is meaningful. A genuinely collaborative and inspiring learning environment is created through the ways in which we engage with one another – here on campus and online.” – Mirja Illikainen, Vice Rector for Education
At the University of Oulu, we believe that high-quality education, teaching and a positive student experience are created through working together.
Educational development is carried out at multiple levels and in an inclusive manner. Degree programmes and their structures, as well as our provision for continuous learning, are renewed strategically, based on knowledge and with a forward-looking approach, in close cooperation with students and external stakeholders. Educational development also includes collaborative curriculum design, the development of support for teaching expertise, and the enhancement of learning environments, alongside many other initiatives in which pedagogical competence and wellbeing go hand in hand.
Systematic quality assurance, research-based and student-engaging development, and open collaboration that supports wellbeing make us a community where it is good to learn and to teach. Our educational development and teaching are guided by the university’s strategy and complemented by our university pedagogical programme.
We invite you to explore the many ways in which we develop our education and teaching!
At the University of Oulu, we develop education in a long-term and forward-looking manner as part of the implementation of our strategy. We invest in educational development and in strengthening the pedagogical competence of our staff to ensure a high-quality educational offering and an excellent learning experience. Our educational provision takes into account the principles of sustainable development and responsibility, enabling students to acquire competencies that support continuous learning and equip them to address global challenges.
We are committed to developing teaching and education in a sustained, systematic and collaborative way.
The strategic development of education is approached holistically through five key focus areas:
- Attractiveness and retention: We ensure that our education attracts and engages both students and teaching staff.
- Wellbeing: We invest in the wellbeing of students and staff, which is reflected in the learning experience and outcomes, student satisfaction, and a strong sense of community.
- Digitalisation: We develop digital solutions that support teaching and learning and enable flexible study pathways.
- Continuous learning: We offer opportunities for continuous skills development throughout life, supporting career pathways and changes in working life.
- Internationalisation: We promote international mobility and cooperation, enabling students and staff to enhance their international competences and expand their networks.
Through these focus areas, we ensure the quality and attractiveness of our education and an excellent student experience. For students, development efforts are reflected in diverse and engaging learning opportunities, up-to-date course content, and a strong sense of community. For staff, support, training and opportunities for professional development are available, along with ways to influence the development of education at the university.
We actively collaborate at both national and international levels, including with other higher education institutions. The University of Oulu is, for example, a member of the European University Alliance UNIC (European University of Cities in Post-Industrial Transition). Through the UNIC network, we develop curricula and offer students opportunities to complete studies at other UNIC universities. In addition, UNIC promotes international mobility and skills development for both students and staff.
High-quality teaching and an excellent learning experience are built on many factors. For us, good teaching is research-based and learner-centred, and we develop it collaboratively.
Teaching is not merely the transmission of knowledge, but a process of collaborative development and active engagement within the university community. We design teaching to support learning, wellbeing and a sense of belonging, using a wide range of methods both on campus and online.
We support the holistic development of students’ expertise. In addition to strong discipline-specific knowledge, studies foster critical and creative thinking, responsibility, international competences, sustainability skills, communication and digital skills, as well as the capacity for lifelong learning. Assessment is competence-based, transparent and supportive of learning, and students receive formative feedback on their progress already during courses.
Our teaching is coherently aligned at the level of study modules and curricula. We develop teaching in collaboration with students and stakeholders, drawing on feedback, learning analytics, research and pedagogical expertise.
Strengthening pedagogical competence, supporting the career development of staff working in teaching- and guidance-oriented roles, and promoting continuous learning are integral to everyday teaching at the University of Oulu. In line with our university pedagogical programme, all staff engaged in teaching and supervision are provided with support and practical tools for their teaching work, as well as flexible pathways for developing their expertise at different stages of their careers.
Staff engaged in teaching, supervision and guidance at the University of Oulu are offered a teacher-qualifying programme in university pedagogy totalling 25 + 35 ECTS credits. Those working in teaching roles are required to complete at least 25 ECTS credits within two years of starting their position.
Teaching competence is also developed flexibly through various networks, workshops and events, as well as through more tailored mentoring and coaching initiatives designed to meet current needs. Each faculty has its own digipedamentor who provides support for the digitalisation of teaching in close collaboration with degree programmes. A university-wide network of digipedamentors supports, encourages and shares expertise, and acts as a partner in the development of teaching.
Outstanding teachers are recognised annually with the Valovoima Awards at the University of Oulu’s teaching celebration. Expertise is also shared across degree programmes, for example through our network for research on teaching and in the annual thematic seminar on the development of teaching.
Strengthening pedagogical competence is a central element of the teaching-oriented career pathway at the University of Oulu.
The need for pedagogical expertise deepens and broadens at different stages of a career. Teaching and supporting learning on campus and online, assessment and feedback practices, and the design of coherent teaching are core competences for all teaching staff, directly influencing the quality of teaching and the student experience. Pedagogical leadership, collaborative curriculum development and a research-informed approach to one’s own teaching further complement and deepen existing teaching expertise.
Advancing on a teaching-focused career path is closely linked to sharing expertise and expanding the impact of one’s work – from one’s own students to close colleagues, to the faculty and university level, and even to national and international networks.
Strategic development of education
Head of Programme Elina Niemitalo-Haapola
Specialist Anu Rytivaara
Support and development of teaching
Director Sanna Eronen
You are welcome to contact the Centre for pedagogical support and development with collaboration initiatives related to the development of teaching: ope@oulu.fi.