Aalto University, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, and Arcada University of Applied Sciences have been awarded the “Top-Level Athlete-Friendly Higher Education Institution” quality label. There are now a total of 17 higher education institutions in Finland that have been certified as top-level athlete-friendly.
At higher education institutions that are supportive of elite athletes, academic advising and policies are designed to help students balance their athletic and academic commitments. Close collaboration with regional sports academies is key.
– The goal of the network of higher education institutions supportive of elite athletes is to offer athletes equal and flexible study opportunities and to develop effective dual-career practices nationwide. The network’s new member institutions will strengthen this work with their own expertise, says Jukka Tirri, a specialist in elite student athletics at the Olympic Committee.
At Aalto University, the audit process was considered useful.
– We at Aalto University are very pleased with the HUMKK audit process. It highlighted our strengths as well as very concrete areas for improvement in supporting dual careers.
– Aalto University is one of Finland’s leading universities, and it is important to us that talented young people from all sectors of society are able not only to pursue an academic education here, but also to reach their full potential in areas such as entrepreneurship, the arts, or sports. “The HUMKK recognition gives us an opportunity to demonstrate this both internally to our staff and students, and externally to prospective students and other key stakeholders,” says Sami Itani, Professor of Industry Practice at Aalto University.
Recognition as a university that supports elite athletes is of interest
The quality label has generated a great deal of interest: 20 higher education institutions have already applied for the audit. The network is developing nationwide practices that make it easier to combine sports and higher education and raise awareness of the support available from higher education institutions and sports academies for athletes pursuing dual careers.
In addition to those that have already received the quality label, the following higher education institutions are now recognized as being supportive of elite athletes: Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Häme University of Applied Sciences, Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Vaasa University of Applied Sciences, the University of Eastern Finland, the University of Jyväskylä, the University of Lapland, and Åbo Akademi University.
Six areas to be evaluated in the quality model
The accreditation is granted on the basis of an audit. The evaluation covers six areas and 23 quality factors, such as personalized academic advising, flexible study arrangements, recognition of prior learning, and collaboration with sports academies. In addition, the goal is to streamline the transition from secondary school to higher education.
Audits are participatory and support the continuous improvement of higher education institutions by identifying strengths and areas for improvement.