Talk:University of applied sciences (Finland)

AMK R&D

While the article does elaborate what an AMK is, I find that it unnecessarily attempts to emphase AMKs as "less worthy" when it just could be "different". "Unlike universities, they focus on R&D by applying previous knowledge rather than producing new research." What does that even mean? Don't universities apply previous knowledge in R&D? What kind of R&D produces new research? Also, much is made of AMK decrees not being accepted by Finnish Universities as bachelor's decrees, while the fact that in context of Bologna process AMK decrees are bachelor's and master's decrees is downplayed. Furthermore, the third legally mandated role of AMKs, regional development (aluevaikuttaminen), is hardly mentioned at all. Flambergius 12:12, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

It means that basically, the R&D activities in the AMK system are not usually research but only development. The activities are not usually producing "new knowledge" in the scientific sense of the term. The activity consists mainly of applying existing technology to specific situations.

The nature of the AMKS R&D is enforced by the fact that the AMK system does not have a strong research component. The teachers have heavy teaching loads and the research is done mainly by teams of a teacher and a couple of undergrads. As the bachelor's thesis should be completed in three months, the projects must be cut into short segments and lack skilled research workforce. On the other hand, thesutdents working on their bachelor's theses are very cheap to hire. On the other hand, research in universities is typically carried out by groups consisting of a professor, a few grad students with master's degree and a a few working on their master's thesis. This composition allows for a longer-term projects. (Of course, there are a few notable exceptions to this rule. For example, Dr. Liisa Pirjola of Helsinki Polytechnic Stadia has carried out a large amount of internationally notable research, but she is mostly working in close cooperation with several universities without significant support from her own institution.)--MPorciusCato 07:47, 3 November 2006 (UTC)

Well, this R&D group from Stadia is a good example of AMK R&D City Cab. That's what I'd call applying previous knowledge. You also have to remember that just about everything is networked nowadays and AMK's and traditional universities do a wide combination of joint R&D, both working with their advantages. Citycab by Helsinki Polytechnic Stadia & University of Art and Design Helsinki is one example, Savonia's, University of Kuopio's, VTT's, Honeywell's and Technology Centre Teknia's combined cutting edge Sensor development with joint-use laboratories is another. Downplaying is useless. --Ras 13:11, 5 November 2006 (UTC)

Sections

added sections to improve organizationTheHappiestCritic (talk) 05:50, 6 November 2011 (UTC)

False translation?

The article states in its first paragraph,"Literally, the term means "School of Higher Vocational Education". I thought that "ammatti" meant profession or trade and that vocation was kutsu. There is no 'koulutus' featured there either, just 'koulu'. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Jatrius (talk • contribs) 20:00, 1 October 2007 (UTC)Jatrius 20:13, 1 October 2007 (UTC)

Yes, "vocation" is actually most often used in spiritual contexts. However, the English language uses "vocational education" to describe the phenomenon we Finns call ammattikoulutus. There is no semantic one-to-one-relationship between the two languages. The English-speaking world has so different educational system that almost all Finnish terminology can be only incompletely translated. I think that the "literal" translation is rather good. Word "trade education" would not be English nor would it give a correct idea about the meaning of the term. --MPorciusCato 05:50, 2 October 2007 (UTC)

Hei, MPC! I am a native English speaker, working in education in the Turku area. For 'vocational' think of a calling, such as clerics etc. and, as applied to its modern usage, a profession such as nursing, where the pay and conditions won't be great but job satisfaction and altruism may intrude. Not all courses at an AMK could be described as vocational in this sense ( consider plumbing, electronics etc.) without a degradation of language."Professional/Trades high school?", perhaps, if you wished to be 'literal'Jatrius 18:42, 2 October 2007 (UTC)

I think you have mixed up AMK and the ammattikoulu. You do not learn plumbing or practical electrics at the AMK, that's for ammattikoulu (or, officially, ammattioppilaitos) which is standardly translated as "vocational school". (E.g. MOT dictionary) Ammattikoulu is a secondary school specializing for the training of trades. For example, practical nurses (perushoitaja) and electricians are trained there. On the other hand, the AMK is an institution of tertiary level, training for example nurses and electrical engineers. The root of the word is korkeakoulu. The root form korkeakoulu (lit. high school) means in Finnish language an "school of higher education". Adding the word ammatti, should cause the translation to be "school of higher vocational education" (or maybe professional education, if you prefer). The actual word-for-word translation is of course professiona high school but that carries an entirely wrong meaning. After all, the AMK is a college-level institution. --MPorciusCato 05:46, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

There really is a problem with translating (even literally) ammatikorkeakoulu to "higher vocational education". For the most part, AMKs train professionals, which is not how English speakers will understand "higher vocational education". Of course, "professional education" would be wrong too, as it means something else. Still, the ammatti part of ammatti-korkeakoulu should be translated profession, not trade or vocation. "Professional Higher Education", maybe. (Note that the word ammattikorkeakoulu is made of two, not three, well defined parts.) Oh well, trying to come up with a short translation might well be counterproductive. Flambergius (talk) 19:47, 30 January 2008 (UTC)