MSc or... MSc...?

Starting January 1st of 2006, the Finnish polytechnic schools (ammattikorkeakoulu) have been calling themselves Universities of Applied Sciences. Predating that, when the entire ammattikorkeakoulu system was being introduced, many people voiced concerns as to whether or not having an alternate higher education route was needed as there already existed schools which took care of the technician-level of education. But the system was created nonetheless. And now they're at it again; up until now they've technically provided students with Bachelors degrees, but apparently now they're starting to offer Masters level degrees also. Which are recognized as equivalent to the university Masters degrees that have been handed out before by the actual universities.

The reason why this is an issue for me is that the ammattikorkeakoulu system is trying to play a publicity stunt by trying to make it appear as if it's an actual university, which it most definately is not. If you look at the main responsibilities of universities (doing research, influencing in society through educated opinions, upholding culture, giving scientific education which builds a strong foundation for doing academic research and so on) and you'll notice that the Universities of Applied Sciences don't really do any of those things. They do serve a purpose, mainly training people to do something concrete. And those people are needed. But their current moves are just bringing unnecessary confusion to the landscape. And in the long run this my actually turn against them...

Let's take a scenario where they are indeed considered as equals to universities and the degrees are also equivalent. The scope and level of teaching is still drastically different. The credits are handed out a lot more easily than in, say, TKK. Eventually you'll have a two-story system of universities in Finland. You'll have the first tier universities (the "real" universities) and then the second tier universities, which are considered inferior to the first tier schools. And that will in turn completely destroy their reputation; if you play basketball and like to play basketball but have never played golf, you'll just get completely creamed at a golf competition. Focus on basketball instead, since that's where you're good at.

Of course I have to admit that this might sound a bit elitistic and arrogant and there is naturally my own agenda in which I fear the devaluation of the MSc degree, which might in turn hurt me. But I seriously do think that there is a position to fill for ammattikorkeakoulus, but they are missing the point and trying to be something they are not. They'll never be part of the academia, but that isn't in any way a bad thing for either the academia or the ammattikorkeakoulu system. This current direction, however, will only make things worse for everyone a bit later and some sense should be hammered into the leaders.