Physical, psychological and social well-being are prerequisites for good study and life. In addition to studies, it is very important to give time also to yourself, to your friends and hobbies.
The starting point for student well-being is pedagogical well-being built on communal and individual factors, which is created in teaching through teacher–student interaction (read more: Pedagogical well-being, opens in a new tab).
Ability to study means a student’s ability to work, and it’s a combination of several interconnected factors. Study progress can be improved by addressing all the different aspects of ability to study. This is the responsibility of all parties in the study community, including student healthcare, the university and student organisations – and the students themselves! Read more: Model for ability to study (opens in a new tab).
The main aim is to create a healthy and safe learning and study environment and to protect students’ mental health with the help of peer and individual support.
The most important well-being and health services for students are available in Kamu Databank and TUUDO wellbeing menu. More information also in Intranet: Teaching support/Support for guidance, counselling and student well-being (opens in a new tab, logging required).
It is very important to speak up when concerns arise, but it is not always easy. If concerns arise on the well-being of your fellow student, please be brave and ask “How are you?”. The University of Eastern Finland has introduced the new Operating model for teachers and other staff member when concerns arise about student’s behavior starting and Operating model: consequences of a student’s inappropriate behavior. The third operating model Approach to situations of inappropriate treatment and harassment while studying will be introduced 1.8.2023.
Operating models - When concerns arise about student’s behavior and Operating model: consequences - have been described for university staff on the Teaching support website (opens in a tab, log in required) and for students in Kamu Student Handbook.
Every individual is valuable in our diverse academic community. Equality, diversity and inclusion are the foundations of teaching and research at UEF. It is important that we commit ourselves to treat each individual and group with respect and dignity. In addition, the university promotes multiculturalism and does not tolerate discrimination nor harassment.
Accessibility promotes equality and, in practice, means the approachability of services for all users. Accessibility includes several different aspects.
The university has appointed a Student Well-being and Study Ability Team (HYRY). The composition of the team is multidisciplinary and its work supports the strategy of UEF.
The team is composed of representatives from each UEF faculty (substance abuse contact persons), the Language Centre, the Student Union, Aducate, and Student and Learning Services. The team’s meetings are based on specific themes, and various experts are actively invited to and consulted in the meetings. The team works closely with its network of experts while also taking into account staff well-being and development.
Head of Student Services Tuija Pasanen (e-mail: firstname.lastname(at)uef.fi), acts as the chair of the team and coordinates student well-being work at UEF.
Student healthcare services are provided by the FSHS (Finnish Student Health Service).
The FSHS responsibility areas are:
- to provide students with health and medical care services
- to promote students’ health and ability to study, and
- to promote the well-being of the study environment and student community.
The purpose of student health meetings is to allow the student, the institution of higher education and student healthcare staff to find ways to promote studying and improve the student’s ability to study. The meeting will examine the extent to which the student’s ability to study is impaired, how it shows and what the cause is.
If a student’s ability to study is impaired for health reasons, the student, the institution of higher education and FSHS representatives should meet to discuss the most appropriate support measures.
Read more on the FSHS website (opens in a new tab).
A guide for students: Student health meetings in institutions of higher education (pdf).
Guidance and counselling promote orientation and commitment to study, help developing professional skills and boost the progress of studies as well as the move into working life. Students’ well-being promotes the smooth progress of studies.
Programme coordinators provide information on admissions and studies.
Ask for help when you need it! You don't have to be alone with your concerns. If you want to discuss your situation or need help, you can always turn to us. Please see further information on "Providers of help" in Kamu Student Handbook.
Learning environment inspections are carried out at UEF every three years
Furher information: on the FSHS website (opens in a new tab) and on the Teaching support website (opens in a new tab, logging required).
The university does not currently have any ongoing special funded projects concerning student well-being.
UEF is involved in the well-being network cooperationof higher education institutions KOHO (The network of study well-being and guidance in higher education institutions). The network is a multi-professional, cross-administrative network of study well-being and guidance, to which all actors of study well-being and guidance, supervisors and decision-makers from higher education institutions are welcome. Read more about KOHO and best practices for student well-being in Higher education (opens in a new tab).
The University of Eastern Finland received a special grant from the Ministry of Education and Culture for the years 2021-2023 to promote the well-being of students and prevent exclusion. With the special grant, the University of Eastern Finland implemented during 2021-2023 the BRIDGES project to increase well-being and communality. BRIDGES project webpage.
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