Quality work
The University of Oulu's quality system produces reliable information about the effectiveness, efficiency and smoothness of operations and supports the spreading of good practices.
Continuous Improvement (PDCA, Plan-Do-Check-Act) is a key principle of the quality system, according to which the university's operations are planned, implemented, evaluated and developed. Continuous improvement is the business of every student and member of the staff.
The quality system creates structures and defines responsibilities and procedures for functional quality management. The quality system serves as a quality management tool.
The university's quality system ensures that the university's quality policy is implemented and defines the quality management organization, division of responsibilities, procedures and resources.
The quality assurance system consists of the following procedures that the university uses to maintain and develop the quality of its activities and operations:
- what activities are carried out (e.g. process descriptions)
- information about what is pursued (e.g. the targets agreed in the target and performance negotiations)
- knowledge of how things should be done (e.g. up-to-date guides)
- knowledge about the roles and responsibilities of university’s actors (e.g. University regulations, Competence in contracts resolution)
- relevant information about the operations and activities is available (e.g. feedback systems)
- a culture and modus operandi of continuous improvement.
Quality management is an elemental part of the university’s management system. Operations are improved through analyses based on feedback, evaluations and indicator data.
University quality management is based on the quality policy approved by the university's Board of Directors in 2023.
According to the Universities Act, universities must regularly participate in external evaluation of their operations and quality systems. The Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC) audited the University of Oulu in late 2023. The quality label is valid until March 2030. The university received special praise from the audit team for its central role and established position in the regional ecosystem of knowledge creation, innovation and competence development.
The University of Oulu received the following results from the audit:
Evaluation area I: HEI creates competence: good level
Evaluation area II: HEI promotes impact and renewal: excellent level
Evaluation area III: HEI enhances quality and well-being: good level
View the audit report here: https://auditoinnit.karvi.fi/luvut/abstract-34/
In spring 2025, the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC) also awarded the University of Oulu the Excellence quality label as a testament to exceptionally high-quality development work. The Excellence evaluation was carried out by an evaluation panel appointed for this purpose, and the final decision on granting the quality label was made by the Higher Education Evaluation Division. According to FINEEC, the University of Oulu has demonstrated innovative pioneering and a long-term development approach in its operations. The university's social interaction impressed the evaluation panel.
See the justification for the Excellence quality label and the strengths of the University of Oulu here: https://www.karvi.fi/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/documents/Paatoksen-perustelut_Oulun-yliopisto.pdf (only in Finnish).
The Rector is responsible for the university’s quality management, supported by the steering group for quality work, which is headed by the development director. The implementation of quality work is supported and coordinated by the Strategy and Science Policy Unit; a quality specialist coordinates the implementation of quality management principles and procedures. The deans are responsible for quality management at faculties. The quality management of other units is the responsibility of their directors.
At the University of Oulu, quality work is the determined work of every member of the university community to achieve their own and the university's objectives and continuous improvement of operations.