Reviews of National Policies for Education Polytechnic Education in Finland This report prepared for the OECD by an independent group of experts suggests that the strategy is likely to pay off. The "AMK sector" is distinct, highly regarded, and currently enrols three-fifths of students entering higher education. The report raises issues of fees for higher education, examines strategies for internationalisation of higher education, addresses issues of governance and accountability in higher education and offers advice on how the new system could be strengthened further. Finland has a record of heeding the advice of past OECD education reviews. This review seems likely to continue that pattern, helping to shape the future growth of a dynamic new education sector. This book is available to subscribers to the following SourceOECD themes: Education and Skills Ask your librarian for more details on how to access OECD books on line, or write to us at
[email protected] www.oecd.org ISBN 92-64-19939-X 91 2003 02 1 P -:HSTCQE=V^^X^W: Polytechnic Education in Finland OECD's books, periodicals and statistical databases are now available via www.SourceOECD.org, our online library. Reviews of National Policies for Education In the early 1990s, in the midst of a major economic slump, the Finnish government embarked on a strategy to re-mold Finland into a knowledge society. A key element in this strategy was to raise the knowledge and skill levels of the population by doubling higher education enrolments by the end of the century. Recognising that it would be neither affordable nor desirable to double traditional university enrolments, the government created a new sector of higher education with a different content, degree structure, and governance from universities – the "Ammattikorkeakoulut" (polytechnics). « Reviews of National Policies for Education Polytechnic Education in Finland © OECD, 2003. © Software: 1987-1996, Acrobat is a trademark of ADOBE. All rights reserved. OECD grants you the right to use one copy of this Program for your personal use only. Unauthorised reproduction, lending, hiring, transmission or distribution of any data or software is prohibited. You must treat the Program and associated materials and any elements thereof like any other copyrighted material. All requests should be made to: Head of Publications Service, OECD Publications Service, 2, rue André-Pascal, 75775 Paris Cedex 16, France. Reviews of National Policies for Education Polytechnic Education in Finland ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT Pursuant to Article 1 of the Convention signed in Paris on 14th December 1960, and which came into force on 30th September 1961, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shall promote policies designed: – to achieve the highest sustainable economic growth and employment and a rising standard of living in member countries, while maintaining financial stability, and thus to contribute to the development of the world economy; – to contribute to sound economic expansion in member as well as non-member countries in the process of economic development; and – to contribute to the expansion of world trade on a multilateral, non-discriminatory basis in accordance with international obligations. The original member countries of the OECD are Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. The following