Student counselling
The student counselling and consultation services are an integral part of the activities in the UAS. All of the schools in Seinäjoki UAS offer counselling and consultation services for their students. Counselling and consultation considers the needs and demands of both the students and the educational field. Student counsellors, international coordinators and practical training supervisors are chiefly responsible for student counselling in the schools. Seinäjoki University of applied sciences also has two vocational special needs teachers. However, also teachers, student tutors, Student Affairs Office and library personnel participate in the counselling process. Study counselling concerns all the staff.
Study counselling
The purpose of study counselling is to support the student in achieving the general goals of their studies, choosing a suitable professional direction and career planning, as well as in the recognition of prior learning, the progression of studies and in possible problems pertaining to their studies. Counselling and consultation is provided in all stages of students’ education, as group consultation and individually, based on individual needs. Being active and having a desire to receive counselling are crucial factors in student counselling.
Student counsellors in Seinäjoki UAS
E-mails are in the form firstname.lastname(at)seamk.fi.
Recognition of Learning (RL) at SeAMK
Learning and expertise can be acquired in many types of situations, through formal education, everyday experiences, or work. The important thing is knowledge, the outcome of the learning process, not how and where this knowledge was acquired.
Formal learning (formal education) usually takes place at educational institutions, and learning is systematic as regards the learning objectives set, the time allocated to learning or the support given to the learning process, and the learner is granted a certificate indicating the knowledge they have gained. From the learner’s point of view, formal (official) education is intentional.
Non-formal learning (unofficial learning) is systematic as regards the learning objectives set, the time allocated to learning or the support given to the learning process. From the perspective of the learner, it is intentional, and the learner is usually granted a certificate indicating the knowledge they have gained. In Finland, non-formal education is typically provided by various independent educational organisations or is implemented as on-the-job training at workplaces.
Informal learning (everyday learning) refers to learning that takes place during everyday activities at work, in the family, or during leisure time. Informal education is not systematic as for learning objectives, the time allocated to learning or the support given to learning process, and the learner is not granted any certificate indicating the knowledge they have gained. Informal learning may be intentional, but usually it is unintentional or coincidental.
The student has the right to apply for approval (recognition) of prior learning if the acquired knowledge is equivalent to the learning objectives of the degree programme.
Recognition of Learning (RL) is closely related to the personalisation of education. The Personal Curriculum, which the student makes at the beginning of their studies, works as a tool for personalisation. It is based on the curriculum for the degree programme, its learning goals, and the student’s own areas of interest. The supervising staff of the degree programmes provides guidance for compiling the plan and advise students on issues pertaining to the RL process. The Personal Curriculum is approved by the Head of Degree Programme or another authorized person.
The Personal Curriculum is updated at personal development and counselling discussions.
Student tutors
Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences has students who are trained to tutor new students, especially at the beginning of their studies. Tutors offer peer support and guidance in issues concerning living in a new environment and studying at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences. The student tutors also participate in the marketing and representation of their faculty.
Career counselling
Students of the University of Applied Sciences actively build relationships with working life during their studies. They become familiar with various work environments and duties in practical project studies, visits to various workplaces, during their practical training and seminars related to working life as well as while they write their thesis. These experiences and contacts guide students down the path to choosing their line(s) of professional specialisation and prepare them for the challenges of working life.
The staff responsible for career services at the Faculties of SeAMK assists students in finding contacts and building relationships in working life: as part of their studies, a student acquires information about practical training placements and opportunities, plans their career and perceives their position in the labour market. Students also have access to related online services. The services offer students the opportunity to make electronic curriculum vitae. It is best to first turn to the practical training supervisor or head of degree programme in questions and issues pertaining to career counselling.
Consultation for studying abroad
The purpose of supervision the guidance and counselling for a student’s international study or practical training period is to provide the student with holistic support in his/her study process, professional development and life situation in general when related to internationalisation.
Study counselling related to internationalisation deals with the practical arrangements and the content of outgoing and incoming mobilities as well general guidance for all other students in their internationalisation process.
Contact Persons at SeAMK International Education Services:
Team email: international.office(a)seamk.fi
Incoming student exchanges: incoming(a)seamk.fi
Outgoing student exchanges: outgoing(a)seamk.fi
Marjo Arola
Head of International Education Services, staff exchanges and agreements
International Education Services
marjo.arola(a)seamk.fi
Maria Loukola
Coordinator, incoming student exchanges
International Education Services
maria.loukola(a)seamk.fi
Tiina Ojanperä
Coordinator, international degree students
International Education Services
tiina.ojanpera(a)seamk.fi
Tiina Välimäki
Coordinator, outgoing student exchanges
International Education Services
tiina.valimaki(a)seamk.fi
