Johan Nikula MinPlan An integrated, computerbased planning system for faculty and students at Åbo Akademi University Heidelberg

Johan Nikula Starting point The Bologna process 1999: changes in the degree structure Finnish government programme 2003: demands on shorter study times, fewer dropouts, more systematic approach to academic studies, higher quality, more degrees, intensified student counselling University Act 2005: Restrictions concerning length of study

Johan Nikula Requirements Supporting leadership Ministerial pressure and financing Interested planning staff IT-support internally and externally Databases: staff, students, courses, completed courses Other: classroom reservation, schedule planning

Johan Nikula The overarching plan Meticulous process description Testing processes and modules on study administration expertise Adjustments before computer programming STUDY OFFERING AND YEARLY PLANNING RECRUITINGANDGUIDANCEAPPLICATIONANDADMISSIONENROLMENTANDREGISTRATION STUDIES DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR GRADUATIONANDDIPLOMACONTINUING EDUCATION AND SUPPLEMENTARYSTUDIES

Johan Nikula Study offering and yearly planning Each study programme is described in detail with regulations and options Each course is described in detail with workloads and direct possibility to borrow course books from the library Each course is put into the programme schedule and changes are reported to teachers and students in question

Johan Nikula Arrival of new students Every new student gets a student tutor All students get teacher tutors who can be changed through the studies During the orientation to studies each student is taught to use MinPlan and make his or her own study plan MinPlan helps both students and tutors to make the student’s plan right

Johan Nikula Making Bologna work In case the student wants extramural studies to be included in the degree or other studies to be excluded, this can be observed in the plan The plan helps the student to get a degree without unintended extra studies and with an even workload through studies

Johan Nikula Advising is easier The student can send the study plan to all sorts of counsellors at the university for help (general counselling, career services) The student can use the plan to explain problems and declare plans to student support people The student can explain all wishes concerning the content of his or her degree Once a year an obligatory counselling is held

Johan Nikula Courses and examinations Students can express interest or register for courses/examinations Teachers can get information on preliminary interest for courses, demand registration when necessary and select students for courses and examinations when necessary Examination results are registered and can be seen in the student’s study plan

Johan Nikula Other issues Course evaluation will be managed through the same system An information net is integrated with system generated messages and possibilities to inform selected individuals or groups External information about studies etc. will be linked to this system

Johan Nikula

Johan Nikula