Language policy and guidelines renewal during 2023
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
- Language Policy & Guidelines: General principles for international and multicultural Aalto, multilingual culture and practices (see current Language Policy & Guidelines)
- 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).
- 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