Aalto University

Language policy and guidelines renewal during 2023

Aalto Academic Affairs Committee decision on Language of the Degrees and Instruction made at 22.11.2023 and president's decision on general guidelines on 23.11. This page will be updated.

The Aalto University Language Policy and Guidelines are designed to enable a multicultural and multilingual environment where everyone has a opportunity to be a full member of the community, and at the same time ensuring continual development of our two national languages

The current Aalto University language guidelines are valid for 2019–2023 and need to be renewed for the next period from 2024 onwards. The guidelines on languages of the degree and instruction will be renewed concurrently. While collecting the feedback and drafting new guidelines base on community input, we are also ensuring that we fulfil the legal obligations based on The Constitution of Finland, Universities Act, Administrative Procedure Act and Non-discrimination Act. 

For over ten years Aalto University has brought together science, art, technology, and business, and is now among the top universities in the world in its main fields, and we have transformed into one of Europe’s most international universities.

Language policy and guidelines consist of three documents

  1. Language Policy & Guidelines: General principles for international and multicultural Aalto, multilingual culture and practices (see current Language Policy & Guidelines)
  2. Languages of the degree and instruction: Consist topics such languages of degree programme, teaching, instruction and advising, terminology related teaching and field specific terminology, language of degree certificate, applications to curriculum and study attainment and students linguistic rights (see current guidelines). 
  3. Implementation Plan of the Language Guidelines: The measures required by the language guidelines as well as the resources allocated to implement the (see current implementation plan)

Renewal process and timeline

January-March: Initial discussions ja feedback on current guidelines 

Timeline Discussion
11.1.2023, President's management team At the office -meeting Renewal process timeline and way of working, scheduling discussion for relevant school level bodies.
17.1., Learning Streering Group (LeSG) Initial discussion and feedback of current language guidelines regarding teaching and learning.
23.1., Professors' Council Working Group  Renewal process timeline and preliminary feedback
26.1., President's Management Team  Renewal process timeline and preliminary feedback
7.2. Academic Affairs Committee Renewal process timeline and preliminary feedback regarding teaching and learning
16.2., Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee Renewal process timeline and preliminary feedback
 Community survey at aalto.fi Preliminary feedback 
14.3. Learning Streering Group (LeSG) Discussion of feedback summary and drafting new guidelines (teaching and learning)

March-April: Draft of new guidelines and feedback for drafts 

Timeline Feedback discussion
22.3. Enablers Steering Group (ESG) Discussion of feedback summary and drafting new guidelines 
27.3. YTN Discussion of feedback summary and drafting new guidelines 
28.3. Aalto Leaders' Dialogue Discussion of feedback summary and drafting new guidelines
29.3. Research Steering Group (ReSG) Discussion of feedback summary and drafting new guidelines
4.4., Academic Affairs Committee Feedback of the draft and guidance for further preparation
21.4. Learning Streering Group (LeSG) Takeaways from AAC and guidance  for finalizing the proposal 
27.4. EDI Committee Feedback of the draft and guidance for further preparation

May-December: Finalizing guidelines, drafting & feedback for implementation plan, finalising implementation plan

Actors

  • Language Policy & Guidelines: Kristiina Mäkelä, Ida Salin, Eija Zitting
  • Languages of the degree and instruction, and this implementation: Petri Suomala, Eija Zitting, Johanna Söderholm, Perttu Puska, Anna Johansson, Ari Koskelainen, Teemu Palkki, OOPAS specialist group representative
  • Implementation Plan of the Language Guidelines: Kristiina Mäkelä, Ida Salin, Eija Zitting, to be supplemented with relevant partners
  • Legal consultation: Anni Tuomela & Anna Johansson
  • Published:
  • Updated: