UTUPEDA Centre for University Pedagogy and Research started its operations in the University of Turku in the beginning of January with the mission of conducting multidisciplinary university pedagogical research as well as offering and developing education based on scientific research. The Centre offers education both in Finnish and in English.
University pedagogy has been studied, developed, and taught to the staff of the University for a long time by a multitude of different actors. Now, all these different actors will be gathered under the same umbrella.
– Establishing the UTUPEDA Centre for University Pedagogy and Research strengthens the university pedagogical research and the implementation of our new Strategy here in the University of Turku. Strong university pedagogical expertise guarantees our pioneering position and quality of teaching, says the Vice Rector responsible for education Piia Björn.
The responsibilities of the UTUPEDA include development and study of university education, i.e. learning, teaching, and guidance as well as pedagogical education.
– Establishing the Centre strengthens the competitiveness of the University of Turku. The quality of our education is based on university pedagogical expertise and research. The Centre allows us to innovate new learning methods and modes of teaching even better than before, explains Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Sanna Salanterä, who was a member in working group appointed for the planning of the new Centre.
The new Centre helps to realise the new Strategy of the University of Turku. The Strategy outlines that all new teachers must have completed or must complete within two years at least 10 credits worth of studies in university pedagogy.
– We are building university pedagogy learning paths for people from different backgrounds: for doctoral candidates who are not yet teaching and those who are, as well as teachers and supervisors who have not completed studies in university pedagogy or wish to add to their expertise. Our learning paths enable continuous learning in university pedagogy, tells Professor Mari Murtonen, who was appointed as the Head of the Centre.
