12 Universities of Applied Sciences are preparing a proposal for a professional doctorate
Universities of applied sciences want Finland to follow European development and enable professional doctorates. The doctorate would be equivalent to the corresponding university degree but would be implemented in an applied manner, in strong cooperation with companies and the world of work. The goal is to increase Finland’s competitiveness.
The preparation of the professional doctorate is progressing in collaboration with the universities of applied sciences. As many as 12 universities of applied sciences are involved in the working group that is preparing a concrete proposal for the guidelines of the doctorate and a possible pilot in which the degrees will be tested.
The Ministry of Education and Culture is currently preparing a vision for higher education and research. The universities of applied sciences propose the professional doctorate as part of this vision and hope that the degree or pilot could be implemented, for example, in the next government term.
The following universities are involved in preparing the doctorate pilot:
- Arcada University of Applied Sciences
- Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
- Häme University of Applied Sciences
- Humak University of Applied Sciences
- JAMK University of Applied Sciences
- South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences
- Kajaani University of Applied Sciences
- Laurea University of Applied Sciences
- Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
- Oulu University of Applied Sciences
- Satakunta University of Applied Sciences
- Savonia University of Applied Sciences
This means that there is a very significant representation of Finnish universities of applied sciences – about 65 percent of all students in Finnish universities of applied sciences study at these institutions.
The work of the group is led by Heidi Ahokallio-Leppälä, vice president of Häme University of Applied Sciences.
“It is wonderful that so many universities of applied sciences see it as important that Finland keeps up with the development of the European higher education field. The doctorate complements the Finnish education model. It is important from the perspective of Finland’s competitiveness and the development of companies,” says Ahokallio-Leppälä.
She explains that the professional doctorate addresses the need to improve Finland’s competitiveness and achieve economic growth. The research is practical and directly responds to the development and competence needs of companies and the business world.
“Currently, too little research and development work is being done in Finnish SMEs, even though RDI activities could provide them new innovations, products, and services. Professional doctorates could be conducted directly in companies, allowing companies to raise their level of expertise and obtain the high-level experts and product developers they need. I see enormous opportunities for development through this also in the public sector, for example, in welfare service counties,” says Ahokallio-Leppälä.
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