Student empowerment

Students have the right to influence their education. This applies both to decision-making and to the preparation of matters concerning education or students’ situation. The University strives to ensure that both individual students and student unions take part in development work.

Student representation

The student unions are responsible for appointing student representatives and coordinating student participation in the University’s various bodies, within the framework of their mandate to represent students. They are also responsible for promoting broad student engagement, for example through course evaluations, surveys and participation in programme councils.

At the University, there are several bodies at different levels in which students participate, for example at the university, faculty and department levels. In these bodies, students are given the opportunity to contribute to the development of course content, course design and the study environment. The chairs of these bodies are responsible for ensuring good conditions for student participation.

The following describes the rules for student representation in each body. For the full regulations, see reference number LTU-2593-2026.

University board
Both presidents of the Student Unions and the Chair of the Doctoral students’ section.

Vice-Chancellor’s decision meetings
Both Presidents of the Student Unions, with the possibility to co-opt the Chair of the Doctoral students’ section when matters specifically concern third-cycle education. It is expected that both Presidents participate in all decisions concerning course content and the learning environment.

Faculty boards (Faculty of Science and Technology and Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences)
Two student representatives from the relevant student union and one doctoral student representative per board. It is expected that student representatives from both unions participate in all agenda items concerning course content and the learning environment. Student or doctoral representatives decide whether to participate in other agenda items.

Disciplinary board
Two student representatives, regardless of student union affiliation.
Both are expected to attend all meetings.

Appointment committees
One student representative and one doctoral student representative per committee. Both are expected to attend all meetings.

Dean’s decision meetings
One student representative from the relevant student union, with the possibility of being replaced by a doctoral student representative for matters concerning third-cycle education. Student representatives decide which meetings and matters to attend and notify the chair in advance.

Decision meetings on Education and Research Planning
One student representative per student union. Participation is decided in advance and communicated to the chair after the agenda has been distributed.

Student Union dialogue
The Presidents of the Student Unions and two additional student representatives depending on the issues discussed. This is an informal forum convened by the unions.

Follow-up meetings with the University Director and Head of Student, Doctoral and Educational Support
Both student unions are represented. Informal forum; the University convenes and sets the agenda.

Programme councils
At least three students should participate, preferably representing different years of study. Student unions are responsible for ensuring this. Student representatives are expected to attend all meetings.

Vice-Chancellor’s strategic council
Both Presidents of the Student Unions. Participation is expected in matters concerning education and the learning environment.

Vice-Chancellor’s quality council
Up to two student representatives. At least one is expected to participate in all relevant matters.

Vice-Chancellor’s education council
Up to two student representatives. At least one is expected to participate.

Vice-Chancellor’s internationalisation council
Up to two student representatives. At least one is expected to participate.

Vice-Chancellor’s research council
One doctoral student representative, expected to participate in all meetings.

Vice-Chancellor’s collaboration council
Up to two student representatives.

Vice-Chancellor’s discussion meetings
Both Presidents of the Student Unions, with the option to co-opt the Chair of the Doctoral Students’ Section when relevant.

Departmental management groups
One to two student representatives and one doctoral student representative. Participation is expected in matters concerning education and the learning environment.

Vice-Chancellor’s informal student union lunch
Both Presidents and the Chair of the Doctoral Students’ Section.

Joint committee group for First- and Second-Cycle education
One student representative per faculty board.

Joint committee group for Third-Cycle education
Two doctoral student representatives (one per faculty area).

Joint committee group for the artistic field
One student representative per student union. Compensation is provided per meeting.

Education committee (First- and Second-Cycle)
One student representative per committee.

Research strategy committee
One doctoral student representative per committee.

Committee for pedagogical merit assessment
Two student representatives.

Central work environment committee
Each student union may appoint one student representative.

Study environment forum
Each student union may appoint one student representative.

HUL meetings
Up to two student representatives.

Dialogue meetings with the Library, HPC and student unions
One student representative per student union.

Local work environment committee
Each student union may appoint one student representative.

Dialogue with Student Health Services
Each student union may appoint one student representative.

Dialogue meetings with section chairs, student unions and University management
One student representative per union and section.

Course evaluations

The University shall give students who are taking or have completed a course the opportunity to share their experiences and views through a course evaluation. The University shall compile the results, communicate the findings and any measures taken, and make the results available to students.

At Luleå University of Technology, course evaluations primarily serve two purposes:

• to give students a structured opportunity to evaluate and reflect on their education and contribute to the quality enhancement of the course;
• to provide teachers and management with a basis for quality enhancement of the course and the study programme.

Students have the right to respond to course evaluation surveys, but this is not an obligation.

The results of course evaluations are an important basis for improving education. It is therefore important that students participate – both for their own benefit and for future students. Course evaluations also provide valuable feedback to teachers. Teachers and students share responsibility for ensuring that course evaluations are carried out. Responses should be constructive and include concrete suggestions for improvement.

The department responsible for the course is in charge of conducting and following up course evaluations in accordance with an established model, and of implementing improvements where necessary. The course coordinator is responsible for ensuring that the course evaluation reaches students, either digitally or in paper form.

After the course has ended, a compilation of the results is published on Luleå University of Technology’s student web. This compilation shall also take into account feedback from students and staff gathered during the course. The teacher shall also report planned and implemented improvement measures via the student web.

At the beginning of the next course instance, the course coordinator shall follow up on previous course evaluation results and explain how the course has been developed.