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11.06.2025

UEF: Study environment inspection highlighted the university s strengths and development areas

The study environment inspection at the University of Eastern Finland has been completed. This legally mandated inspection is carried out every three years and forms a fundamental part of student collaboration.

With study environment inspections, we ensure that our students are doing well in their study community – physically, mentally and socially. In practice, the inspections assess whether students have enough time to eat between lectures, whether the ergonomics of the study facilities are adequate, and whether students experience harassment within their study communities.

For the educational institution, the inspection provides valuable information on the state of their students’ well-being as well as the strengths of the educational institution. The insights gained also deepen the understanding of the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) staff regarding the study community and enhance their ability to support students in situations where challenges are related to the study environment.

Results of the study environment inspection

Based on the inspection, the strengths of the University of Eastern Finland include:

• Strong collaboration between stakeholders, a positive attitude toward development, and a dynamic approach to improving operations.
• The university’s strategy focuses on student well-being and the promotion of pedagogical well-being.
• Significant efforts have been made to improve student guidance (e.g. the ”Everybody gives guidance” model), and the development of the student health meeting is seen as a good practice. In addition, the SORA process (based on the SORA legislation) has also been updated in collaboration between UEF and FSHS.
• Cooperation between the university, the Student Union, FSHS, and other stakeholders is close and functional (e.g. health working groups and the student well-being and study ability team at UEF).
• Campus development brings numerous opportunities to enhance the operational environment and support students’ ability to study.

Development areas identified for 2026–2028:

• Support for studies: Enhancing support for individual study arrangements and increasing staff awareness of the legislation related to these practices.
• Physical learning environment: Improving the versatility and sufficiency of the facilities (e.g. group work and independent study facilities, fostering a sense of community, and incorporating physical activity into teaching), as well as accessibility and ergonomics.
• Physical activity in the learning environment: Integrating a culture that promotes activity and study ability as part of the daily practices, pedagogical activities, and curriculum development that supports student well-being; encouraging and training teachers to activate and incorporate physical activity into their teaching.
• Other – support for student well-being: Promoting a sense of community and reducing loneliness, along with support measures related to these themes. 
• Other – further development of collaboration: Strengthening cooperation between the FSHS and university stakeholders.

The results of the study environment inspection will be reviewed within the university’s and the student union’s administrative bodies. The implementation of the development measures will be monitored over a two-year period, and the next inspection will be conducted in 2028.

The inspection report (available in Finnish) is available on UEF Intra.

Extensive collaboration helped carry out the inspection

The study environment inspection began with planning and preparatory work in autumn 2024, and the final meeting that concluded the inspection was held on 08 April 2025. During the spring, information was collected on the condition of the buildings and the functionality of the study environment on the campuses.

Student Health Care Service FSHS and the UEF Student and Learning Services were responsible for coordinating the implementation of the inspection. The inspections were conducted in collaboration with students, the Student Union (ISYY), staff from key university units relevant to the inspection, the University Properties of Finland (SYK), and the municipal health inspectors from the campus cities. The electronic portal maintained by FSHS played a significant role, where stakeholders uploaded the required information and documentation for the inspection.  

The inspection also included a student survey conducted between 17 February and 09 March 2024, targeting present Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students. The response rate was 13 % in Joensuu and 14 % in Kuopio. Compared to reference universities participating in these inspections, the response rates were considered good.

More information on the study environment inspection can be obtained from:

Tuija Pasanen, Head of Student Services, tuija.pasanen(at)uef.fi

Niina Leiviskä, Head of Student Counselling, niina.leiviska(at)uef.fi