International gem, says student – SAMK awarded NIBS International Accreditation

Is internationality a part of everyday learning? That is what the accreditation of Network of International Business Schools examines. The panel assessed the level or internationality to be very high at SAMK. Special recognition was given for the organisation of peer tutoring, which provides the participating students with both skills, and also credits.

Marina Wikman vastaanottaa todistuksen NIBS-akkreditoinneista vastaavalta Patrick Schoenmakersilta. | Marina Wikman receives the NIBS accreditation certificate from Patrick Schoenmakers, NIBS Vice President (Accreditation). Photo: Jean-Michel Gregoire

– The panel also applauded international projects with real companies. Projects have been carried out for Finnish and foreign companies in co-operation with German, American, Australian and Irish partner universities, to mention a few, Senior Lecturer Marina Wikman states.

The accreditation panel of NIBS familiarised themselves with two bachelor’s and one master’s programme: International Business, International Trade, and Business Management and Entrepreneurship. The language of tuition in the programmes is English, except for the first year of International Trade.

International students felt included in the student community alongside with Finnish students

The meeting with students was lively and informative. Foreign students felt that they are part of the student community alongside Finnish students, and Finnish students appreciated the built-in possibilities for internationalisation. The panel especially appreciated the fact that the programmes strongly recommend the students to include at least one exchange into their studies.

One of the students in the meeting had stated that after having started his studies at Satakunta and Rauma, he realised having found an 'international gem'

The panel was aware that the location of Satakunta is quite challenging to market for international students – their suggestion is to highlight the benefits of living in the region and studying at SAMK. One of the students in the meeting had stated that after having started his studies at Satakunta and Rauma, he realised having found an “international gem”.

The accreditation process examines e.g. integration of internationality in all activities of the programme, international projects, international experience of staff and number of international degree students. The application process is very transparent.
– The application form is extensive and while filling it in, one can already see if there will be enough points for accreditation – so it is visible at once if it is worthwhile asking the accreditation panel to pay a visit, Marina Wikman says.

The accreditation is valid for five years. Lahti University of Applied Sciences is also a member of NIBS, and they, too, have been accredited.

Read more about NIBS accreditation.

NIBSin johtoryhmän jäsenet hoitavat akkreditoinnin. | Members of NIBS board act as accreditors. From left: Jaana Vase & Marina Wikman from SAMK, Ian Charles (London South Bank University, UK), Geoffrey Heels (University of Clermont-Auvergne, France), Juha Kämäri (SAMK) & Patrick Schoenmakers (Zuyd University, The Netherlands).