Session Outline

In the context of higher education, effective guidance and advising are essential for students' academic progress, well-being, and timely graduation. This interactive workshop aims to introduce session participants to ethical principles for guidance developed between Finnish universities in 2024, which set a standard for good guidance and advising. The need for standards for ethical advising rose from university staff and difficult advising situations. At the Finnish universities advising and guidance are usually done besides other duties and without prior training. At the same time, there are high expectations of guidance in relation to students’ well-being, graduation, and employment. This background builds a need for structures and common standards for advising.

The session will explore how ethical guidance promotes student agency, supports smooth progression in studies, and contributes to student welfare. Furthermore, it addresses the broader social and global significance of ethical advising in fostering sustainable decision-making and nurturing inclusivity by responding to diverse student needs and situations. Moreover, ethical guidance and advising enhance students’ sense of belonging within the university community and deepen their understanding of themselves as active participants in society.

Participants will gain insights into how ethical guidance supports social sustainability by promoting meaningful study and career goals and paths which lead to well-being in the long term. The primary goal is to empower students’ agency while also addressing the structural inequalities that limit their opportunities.

The session will also underline the importance of supporting advisors' skills to impact their well-being positively. Advisors are encouraged to recognize their roles, set boundaries, and leverage the expertise of their peers. Community and teamwork are cornerstones of ethical guidance, emphasizing collaboration across the educational environment and between advisors. Ethical principles also pinpoint the university’s responsibility in building the structures and providing resources for good guidance.

The workshop targets faculty and staff involved in various guidance and advising roles within higher education institutions. This 50-minute session will emphasize active participation, introducing participants to the five ethical principles and some insights of the Finnish advising system at universities. Attendees will engage in collaborative activities to explore and apply ethical guidelines. Through discussions prompted by practical cases, participants will investigate ethical principles and their application in university settings. This flexible approach encourages understanding and relevance to advisory work while providing a space for sharing ideas on promoting ethical practices across guidance roles.

By the end of the session, participants will gain insights into ethical principles in guidance and advising, enabling them to nurture environments that support student development, institutional collaboration, and professional growth. This workshop presents an opportunity to refine guidance practices with international relevance and applicability.

Learning Outcomes

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