Quality Label for Excellence granted as a recognition for Laurea's high-quality development work

Laurea has in its activities demonstrated an innovative pioneering attitude, a long-term development approach and a participatory operating culture. For this reason, the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC) has awarded Laurea the Quality Label for Excellence in higher education. 

Every year, FINEEC awards the Quality Label for Excellence to audited higher education institutions for enhancement work of an exceptional quality. Every year, the higher education institutions that have been granted the level excellent for at least one evaluation area in the audit are candidates for the Quality Label for Excellence. The assessment of Excellence is carried out by an evaluation panel appointed for this purpose and the final decision on awarding the Quality Label is made by the Higher Education Evaluation Committee. The evaluation areas are HEI creates competence, HEI promotes impact and renewal, as well as HEI promotes development and well-being. 

- Laurea demonstrated a particularly strong atmosphere of co-creation and an operating culture that emphasises interactive RDI activities, says Gunilla Widén, Vice-rector and Chair of the evaluation panel.

The evaluation panel found Laurea’s evidence of societal interaction and RDI activities strong

When conducting the assessment of Excellence, the evaluation panel paid attention especially to three aspects in Laurea’s activities. The first one was Laurea’s pioneering role in developing societal interaction and the practices related to it. Laurea engages different actors, networks and stakeholders in its area in co-creation widely and in a goal-oriented manner. Laurea has years of experience in cooperation and co-creation, including in applying co-creation into practice. Active monitoring of the changes taking place in working life and foresight work also promote successful activities. The entire organisation has committed itself to the reform work.

Secondly, the panel found Laurea’s evidence and practices in RDI activities and their development exceptionally strong. RDI activities are an integral part of the implementation of Laurea’s overall strategy. Laurea strengthens the RDI competence of its entire personnel in a systematic manner. At the same time, it constantly assesses the effectiveness of its activities. Laurea is the leading university of applied sciences in receiving the EU’s Horizon funding in Finland. Laurea’s RDI activities have also been linked to the effective Learning by Developing (LbD) operating model, which it has been developing in the long term.

“Recognition for long-term development work”

According to the evaluation panel, Laurea’s third strength is its open-minded way to cross boundaries. Laurea crosses boundaries creatively and actively utilises alumni and other networks in developing the higher education institution. Laurea also has an important role in national cooperation and international networks, such as the European Network of Living Labs and the European Network of Security. The Living Lab activities are an example of development expertise, for which Laurea is internationally respected.

- At Laurea University of Applied Sciences, we feel honoured and proud to receive the Quality Label for Excellence awarded to our higher education community. It is wonderful to receive external recognition for the long-term, goal-oriented work we have done in the field of research, development and innovation, says Jouni Koski, President and CEO of Laurea. 

- With our committed, development-oriented and bold attitude, we have in cooperation with our extensive network of stakeholders enabled actions that have regional, national and international impact. 

Jaana Ignatius, Director of Quality and Data Production at Laurea, is also delighted about the recognition:

- The Quality Label for Excellence is a recognition for high-quality research, development and innovation activities aimed at continuous improvement and characterised by a strong culture of doing things together. We can be genuinely proud of our achievement. The Quality Label encourages us to continue our goal-oriented, participatory and open-minded experimental development activities also in the future, Ignatius says. 

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