Introduction to the Institute of Educational Leadership
The Institute for Educational Leadership (formerly the Rector's Institute) was founded by the Rector of the University of Jyväskylä, Aino Sallinen, on 1 June 1999. The Institute's basic mission is to develop educational and cultural leadership so that the various actors in the field of education and training can succeed in their tasks in the best possible way. In order to fulfill its basic mission, the Institute organises basic and further training in educational leadership, including courses in educational administration organised by the university within the meaning of the Regulation on Qualifications of Educational Personnel (986/1998, § 2).
In addition, the Institute conducts research in support of education, organises continuing education and on-demand training, and participates in educational policy interaction in its field.
The role of the Institute of Educational Leadership has been defined in the strategic plan as follows:
The mission of the Institute of Educational Leadership is to develop leadership in education so that schools and other educational institutes succeed in their tasks in the best possible ways. In this way the Institute contributes to University's efforts in developing Finnish society.
To fulfil the mission, the Institute of Educational Leadership organizes preparation programmes for principals based on legislation (986/1998, 2§) and advanced studies in the field. In addition, the Institute carries out research into educational administration and leadership and facilitates further development programmes. The Institute of Educational Leadership operates as a cooperative network between teaching staff from the different faculties of the University of Jyväskylä, doctoral students working as tutors in the programmes, partner schools and their leaders, local and national educational administrators, and international partners.
The cornerstones of our educational philosophy are:
-
emphasis on ethical principals
-
identifying problems and their expedient solution
-
professional orientation: building one’s own ‘theory-in-use’ through constructing a bridge between theoretical studies and practice
-
Because the educational leaders of today are responsible for the overall development of their institutes, they need in-depth understanding of both management and leadership.