Evaluation of Langnet

Background

Langnet, the Finnish Graduate School in Language Studies, took part in the evaluation of doctoral programmes which was carried out by the Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council (FINHEEC) in 2004-2005. Altogether twenty-five Finnish doctoral programmes took part in the evaluation. More information on the evaluation can be found on the Council's website, while the actual report is available in English as a PDF file.

As a part of the evaluation process, Langnet conducted a self-evaluation of its activities in the spring and summer of 2005, according to the following criteria:

The organiser of the education was requested to address the following issues (A–D) in a national and international context.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION AND EVALUATION
A. Aims of the education, tasks and innovativeness in its implementation
B. Content of the education, structures and present operating environment
C. Profiling of the education unit
D. Future prospects of the education, quantitative and qualitative needs and funding

Concrete descriptions of good practices in the implementation of the education (E–I) were requested, as well as the functionality and development challenges of the solutions evinced.

GOOD PRACTICES, ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTIONALITY AND DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES
E. Recruitment for the education, applications and admissions
F. Organisation of the education, teaching and supervision
G. National and international cooperation
H. Relationship between the education and working life
I. Evaluation of the quality of the education, feedback systems and quality development.

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The self-evaluation was conducted by Langnet’s Working Committee. The assessment was based on Langnet’s own accounts and surveys conducted earlier, particularly evaluations of individual courses and the reports given by doctoral students and their supervisors on Langnet’s operation in 2003 and 2004. With the help of these reports, surveys and other feedback, Langnet has continuously assessed and improved the quality of its working practices.

The self-evaluation was chiefly conducted by the coordinator, Jaakko Leino, on the basis of the above-mentioned material. In addition, everyone at Langnet gave feedback on experiences, and provided criticism and observations specifically concerning the points mentioned in the evaluation criteria. Doctoral students were the chief participants in the assessment by virtue of their feedback and replies to the survey and also by being active members of the Working Committee.

The self-evaluation report (as a PDF file) can be read in English here.

In addition to the self-assessment, doctoral students filled in a questionnaire created by FINHEEC. The external evaluation by FINHEEC was conducted 22-26 September 2005. Langnet assigned two people, a staff representative and a student representative to help with the external evaluation. A working life representative from outside of the universities, was also assigned for the evaluation, as was requested by FINHEEC.