The Finnish Online University of Applied Sciences – a network of networks, a virtual organization

In 2001 Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) was designated to be the university in charge of the administration of the Finnish Online University of Applied Sciences (The Finnish Virtual Polytechnic at that time). The development unit, founded in TAMK, is in charge of the head office activities, coordinates the everyday actions of the organization as well as maintains this portal and develops its services. The development unit and the universities of applied sciences form the Finnish Online University of Applied Sciences.

Management group

The highest authority in the Finnish Online University of Applies Sciences is held by the management group. It is also in charge of the strategic policies of the Finnish Online University of Applied Sciences.

Management group

• plans the strategy and supervises that it will be implemented
• decides on the productions and their demands
• agrees the collaboration contracts
  
• makes a proposal of the collected fees to the ARENE (Rectors' Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences) meeting.
  

Composition of the management group

Development unit

The development unit is in charge of developing the Finnish Online University of Applied Sciences through its own projects as well as the contents and implementation of the projects.

Development unit

• organizes bidding competitions for its projects
  
• administrates HR-activities
  
• makes operational and financial plans for its projects
  
• supervises and coordinates other network projects of the Finnish Online University of Applied Sciences
  
• chooses the technologies for the services it develops
• works together with the universities of applied sciences and other experts, such as the Finnish Virtual University
• keeps up with and applies the latest technology in the services it develops
• keeps up with and applies the latest research in online pedagogy
• takes advantage of the multidisciplinary know-how of the universities of applied sciences
  
• is in charge of the operative functions and subcontracting in individual projects.

Contact information of the Development Unit

Contact persons

Each university of applied sciences has an appointed contact person to the Finnish Online University of Applied Sciences. The contact persons meet at least twice a year in the meeting which is organized by the Development unit. The contact persons form a significant expert network for developing the Finnish Online University of Applied Sciences and making the organization more well-known in their own polytechnics.

The contact persons for the Finnish Online University of Applied Sciences

• take part in national development and coordination
  
• promote the information strategy of their own universities of applied sciences through the activities in the Finnish Online University of Applied Sciences
  
• work in development groups (for example: quality, copyrights, eStudy services)
  
• bring new development ideas from their own universities into the network
  
• agree on the ground rules of the Finnish Online University of Applied Sciences and make local announcements
  
• inform the personnel of their own universities about the agreed procedures, projects, seminars and trainings of the Finnish Online University of Applies Sciences
  
• inform the students of their own universities about applying for studies in the Finnish Online University of Applied Sciences and other related matters
• take care of the skills of the staff of their own universities as well as support them in producing and implementing online studies
• network with different actors in their own universities as well as with the contact persons of the other universities, thus promoting online education
  
• evaluate the actions of the Finnish Online University of Applied Sciences in their own polytechnics.
  

Contact information of the contact persons