Finland - Jyvaskyla Region - Final Self-Evaluation Report.pdf

The number of refereed articles is typically used to measure the volume and quality of research activities 9 . Atthe University of Jyväskylä the number of refereed articles has nearly doubled over the period from 1994 to2004 (964 refereed articles in total, of which nearly 80% were international articles in 2004), which indicatesthat high level research is being carried out (Figure 4.4). The main part, nearly 40%, of the refereed articlesis based on the research activities of the Faculty of Mathematics and Science. The number of refereedarticles is used as one of the criteria for the allocation of performance-based funding between faculties andother units at the University of Jyväskylä.140001200010000800060004000200001274711747108579838 10089 10235521 594 737 900 880 9641994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004University of JyväskyläFinnish universitiesFigure 4.4 Refereed articles at the University of Jyväskylä in 1994-2004 (Source: KOTA -database)4.4 Strategic focal points and fields of strength of the HEIsThe regional orientation differs between the research done at universities and the R&D of polytechnics. Therole of polytechnic R&D is more directly focused on serving the regional needs whereas the universities arecharacterized as more national and international operators. This different kind of orientation forms a basis forthe fields of strength of the Jyväskylä Polytechnic and University of Jyväskylä.The Jyväskylä Region is involved in a national Centre of Expertise Programme with paper manufacturingtechnology, environmental, energy and nanotechnology along with information technology as its areas ofstrength (Box 4.1). Wellness technology is an integrated part of the Regional Centre Programme ofJyväskylä. The Jyväskylä Polytechnic and University of Jyväskylä participate actively in the development ofthese fields.9 The University of Jyväskylä was ranked second in the national assessment of the productivity of universities. In theassessment the basic funding of the Ministry of Education and total funding of universities were used as resources, andbasic and doctoral degrees, summarized articles (in international scientific journals based on the referee-method), andconference articles (in international conference publications) were considered products. (Neittaanmäki et al., 2005.)46