“So that every student can feel well” – A joint survey by four universities of applied sciences provides insights and tools to improve student well-being
Student well-being is being enhanced through a joint well-being survey conducted by four universities of applied sciences. The survey, which will take place in November, will provide information on students’ well-being, help target support services, and offer students tools to maintain their own well-being.
-Our students are our most important resource for the future. We are increasingly hearing messages at the national level about a decline in student well-being, increased stress, and challenges in managing life. In order to support studying at KAMK and improve our effectiveness, we want to understand which aspects are already going well and which still need improvement. Our goal must be that every student is doing well,” says KAMK’s Rector Matti Sarén.
The collaboration is based on the 4Q network, which consists of Diaconia University of Applied Sciences (Diak), Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (KAMK), Humak University of Applied Sciences, and Arcada University of Applied Sciences. The survey will be conducted in all four institutions.
The survey not only collects data on student well-being but also aims to improve the targeting of support and services. As a result, students receive clear information about their own situation, well-being, and study ability, as well as details of available support services. Feedback and service recommendations are tailored based on the student’s responses.
The purpose of collecting well-being data is to provide students with the right kind of support as early as possible, so that problems do not arise or accumulate. At the same time, students receive a concrete tool for monitoring their own well-being.
The collected data provides universities with up-to-date and comparable information that can also be used in research and development work and integrated into quality systems.
Student well-being is not only an issue for individuals and universities but also a societal concern.Students’ experiences of well-being have a significant impact on academic performance, graduation, and employment. Timely and comparable data also helps decision-makers understand students’ everyday lives and make long-term decisions that support well-being.
Survey implementation
- The student well-being survey will be conducted in November at the 4Q partner universities: Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (KAMK), Humak University of Applied Sciences, and Arcada University of Applied Sciences.
- The survey uses the ZekkiPro tool developed at Diak. ZekkiPro is a digital self-assessment tool for well-being, which has been used at Diak since 2024 to monitor students’ perceived well-being.
- Responses are anonymous, and results are analyzed at group level.
The four-year 4Q collaboration project aims to combine the expertise, skills, and resources of the universities of applied sciences, improve access to education, and strengthen societal impact. The student well-being survey is part of modeling the impact of universities of applied sciences, where student-perceived well-being plays a key role. The project is funded by strategic funding from the Ministry of Education and Culture for 2025–2028.
Further information about the survey:
Student Counsellor Sanna Nyman – sanna.nyman@kamk.fi – +358 40 516 6848
Principal Lecturer Kirsi Moisanen – kirsi.moisanen@kamk.fi – +358 44 7101 276