In this Thursday, file photo, Actress Lindsay Lohan attends FEARnet's 2nd anniversary party at The Cellar Bar, in New York. Beverly Hills police say an arrest warrant has been issued for Lohan and they believe it involves her 2007 drunken driving conviction. Police Sgt. Mike Foxen said Saturday, March 14, 2009, that a court issued the warrant on Friday but he said he...

FINLAND: Quality - Finnish style

In common with the rest of the higher education world, Finland has embraced 'quality' in its universities. Finns prefer to use the term 'evaluations' rather than 'quality audits' and their national university agency for such matters is the Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council.

Its audits began in the second half of 2005 and it is hoped that all 20 universities and 26 polytechnics will have been audited by the end of 2011.

FINHEEC, as it is known, is described as "an independent expert body assisting universities, polytechnics, and the Ministry of Education in matters relating to evaluation". Review panels comprise national and international experts, with secretarial and other support coming from the council's permanent staff.

The council's aim is to improve Finnish higher education institutions and their international competitiveness through evaluations. It supports quality work, provides benchmarking data and improvement recommendations, and disseminates information on best practice. It produces national data enabling the international comparison of higher education institutions by policy-makers and students.

From the universities' point of view, the most important of the council's activities are evaluations of higher education institutions' quality assurance systems: the methods, processes and mechanisms that institutions use to maintain and improve the quality of their education and other activities. These audits commenced in the second half of 2005 and it is hoped that all 20 universities and 26 polytechnics will have been audited by the end of 2011.

Institutions win the council's seal of approval for six years, provided their quality assurance system as a whole and the quality assurance related to their basic mission (education, research, interaction with and impact on society and regional development) are adjudged to be adequate.

Not all universities get through their audits successfully and those that don't are required to saddle up for another round of evaluation the following year. Of the 10 university audits conducted so far, two universities failed to make the grade.

The University of Tampere, home to about 14,500 students 170 kilometres to the north of Helsinki, was one such university. It could perhaps feel a little unlucky: the evaluation group recommended a 'pass' but, based on the detail in the review panel's report, the council decided it should fail. Now Tampere must prepare for round 2 in 2010.

The other one to miss the mark was the 14,300 student Helsinki University of Technology (HUT), which is also required to face the judges again next year. This result must have caused one or two red faces, because HUT is the major player in a three-way merger to create Aalto University - the one the government hopes will become a 'world-class university'.

In its report, the review panel noted significant gaps in HUT's quality assurance system and so failed the university. Fortunately, one of the other mergees, the Helsinki School of Economics, came through its audit with flying colours while the third party to the creation of Aalto University, the University of Art and Design, is yet to have its evaluation.

Because the overriding purpose of all evaluations is to help institutions improve their activities, the council also supports them in designing their own quality assurance systems. For example, the University of Helsinki received a 'pass' but decided to put itself through a private evaluation of the management and leadership of its education in 2008.

This will be via a 12-member international panel chaired by Professor Eva Åkesson, Vice-Rector of Lund University in Sweden. The evaluation noted a number of institutional strengths and good practices but not everything was perfect. The panel produced 43 recommendations for university-level improvements and found it had too many vague targets, too many key performance indicators and too many working groups with unclear roles.

As a response, Helsinki is reviewing its decision-making structures at all levels. As University World News reported last year, radical higher education reforms are to be considered by the Finnish parliament. If the proposed University Act is passed, universities will become separate legal entities and matters to do with funding, staffing, buildings and governance will cease to be as tightly regulated as they are now.

Helsinki has decided to take this opportunity to examine a revision of its administrative structures.

More information on the Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council can be found at www.finheec.fi. Several documents explaining the process in Finnish, Swedish or English can be downloaded.

* Dr Ian Dobson is Helsinki correspondent for University World News. An Australian scholar currently based in Finland, he is editor of the Australian Universities Review and an honorary researcher with Monash University's centre for population and urban research in Melbourne.

Shoes

via fnart.tumblr.com

La Perla Black Label

Roaring 20s.
Spring/Summer 2009.

Einfach ist es nicht, schöne Unterwäsche zu finden. Vor lauter Glitter und Glamour in den Dessousabteilungen beschränke ich mich meistens auf schlichte Wesentlichkeit. Nun kann ich im Falle der La Perla Sommerkollektion noch nicht ganz sicher sagen, ob es tatsächlich die Wäsche ist oder vielmehr die Inszenierung dieser, die mich anspricht? Was auf dem Foto hübsch daherkommt, kann sich realiter als kompromittierend herausstellen. Wer hat schon die entsprechend dramatische Kulisse im Schlafzimmer!? Wer es dennoch mal ausprobieren möchte, kann hier zuschlagen.

How to Wear Scarf Trends Like a Celeb

Scarf trends have been fleeting in the past years, with special ways to tie them around your neck in an attempt to keep out the cold. Seems that the trend this season is one simple wrap around the neck, and it’s more about the style than the wrap:

Extra Long

For celebs, it’s all about the designer…V-Becks wouldn’t be seen in anything less of course, and we just love her extra long scarf from Stella McCartney. Paired with skinny jeans and a blazer it’s a great casual chic look:

Victoria Beckham source

Super Skinny

Fend off crisp autumn air with a lightweight skinny scarf a la Drew Barrymore. Her look is rather simple, but when paired with a smart scarf it has just enough style.

Drew Barrymore, source

Pretty Accent

If you live in a warm climate like me (and Jessica Alba) your need for an actual scarf is probably nonexistent. That doesn’t mean you should forgo neck embellishments all together…a light and pretty scarf like this one is perfect when paired with an equally light jacket, jeans and a tee.

Jessica Alba, source

Whatever your scarf style, don’t let the season pass you by without getting your wrap on.

Lauren Conrad Collection, Couture in the City Fashion Blog

Lauren Conrad on TRL in Lauren Conrad Collection

LC in The Lauren Conrad Collection

It used to be that only washed up Hollywood icons had their own clothing line, but lately everyone from Sarah Jessica Parker to Amanda Bynes is fronting their own label. Lauren Conrad is no exception.

LC’s line, called the Lauren Conrad Collection, is set to debut on September 15, 2007, and quite frankly, it’s not half bad. It has LC written all over the whole collection which, so far, seems to be comprised of sassy so-Cal satin frocks. HOT.

Honestly, I’m surprised that a newcomer like Conrad has a collection already…think about it, did anyone know who she was two years ago? No. Who knows, I’m still holding out for the America Ferrera collection for us plus sized girls…woot!

What do you think…with the Lauren Conrad Collection be fab, or a flop?

Spring Hair and Makeup Trends

Tell your winter makeup and hair to take a hike for a while…it’s spring and it’s time to lighten up that look! Black nails with a floral print sun dress? I think not. Check out these cute spring hair and makeup trends to update your look for this season:

Glossy Bangs/Hair:

Rachel Bilson (source)

Heavy bangs are SO Fall 2007…but I still love them anyway. Bangs are always good for masking a high forehead and are a great way to change up your look without making a drastic cut. Even if you hate the bangs, you gotta appreciate a glossy mane, so don’t skimp on the conditioner and go easy on products for a hi pro glow.

Side Ponytales:

Carrie Underwood, LC and Ali Larter (source)

I pretty much owned the side ponytale look when I was a kid in the mid-eighties, and I’m glad to see it making a comeback. This is a really cute look to pair with a spring dress and is super easy. Whether you air dry, curl or leave your hair straight, a side ponytale is a great spring look.

Pixie Cut:

Rihanna (source)

Short hair is so not for me, but if I were ever to make the cut, this is what I would do. I just love a pixie cut; it literally transformed Rihanna from a typical pop tart to a stylish divette overnight, and is a fresh look for spring. I much prefer this look to Beyonce’s myriad of weaves and bad wigs, so take note B, Rihanna’s got you beat in the hair department.

Navy Nails

Eva Mendes (source)

I just love the look of dark vampy nsils, but with birds chirping and not a cloud in the sky, it seems a little too goth for my tastes in the spring. You can still get that look for spring with deep navy nails. It will not only work with a cute nautical beach look, but is also great when paired with a spring dress or lighter colors.

Blue Eyeshadow:

Kate Hudson and Katie Holmes (source)

Blue eyeshadow is a great spring alternative to dark smoky eyes…it truly complements eyes of any color and is a surprising change. I was hesitant about blue eyeshadow until I tried some of the new paint pots from the MAC Fafi line (did I mention we are GIVING SOME AWAY?) .

This spring, give some of these simple trends a try…it’s as easy as buying some blue eyeshadow and throwing your hair in a side ponytale!

Ready for Spring Look: Moschino A-Line Trench Coat, Belle By Sigerson Morrison Gladiator Sandals and Cheap Monday Skinny Jeans

Is there anything a trench coat can’t do? They’re casually smart over jeans and flats and perfectly uptown over a skirt and blouse. Depending on the climate where you live, a trench coat can do its job of keeping you looking great for up to half a year. This beige cotton A-line belted trench coat from Moschino fits the bill perfectly. With a rounded cutaway front hem, and a flattering A-line shape in waterproof cotton, this coat will look fabulous with any number of spring outfits.

Moschino Coat - Beige Cotton A-Line Belted Trench Coat - $495

Gladiator sandals are still going strong for spring 2009, and this leather wedge heel sandal from Belle by Sigerson Morrison captures the trend perfectly. In leather with cutouts and double buckled ankle straps atop a 4.5-inch wedge platform heel – these sandals have it all.

Belle by Sigerson Morrison - Wooden Wedge Gladiator Sandal - $350

Skinny jeans are a great way to look sexy without revealing a lot of skin. Pair your dark skinny jeans with heels and you’re instantly stylish this spring. Since skinny jeans have transcended trends to become a wardrobe staple, you can stylishly embrace the look by investing in these Cheap Monday low skinny jeans in stretch yd black.

Cheap Monday - Zip Low Skinny Jeans in Stretch Yd Black - $65

These three pieces: a belted trench coat, platform gladiator sandals, and skinny dark jeans are the foundation of an entire season’s worth of style when paired with items you already own.

Source: Thefind.com

Half a year has gone by.

Jett turned 6 months about a week ago. He is such a sweet, beautiful boy. He is strong, hitting his milestones on time or early, very busy and inquisitive and just a joy.

He is in the 75 percentile for height (27.5 inches), 50-75 for weight (18.5 lbs), but most importantly he is growing at a nice, steady rate. He loves to eat, sleep, babble, laugh, play, take baths, be outside, and watch his big brother. He gets a huge smile on his face whenever he sees him and is enthralled by everything he does. The only things Jett doesn’t really like are peas (but we have to try again), not being able to fall asleep when he’s tired and sitting. He rather stand and jump or be on his belly and try to crawl or scoot around. He also sometimes likes to be on his back and grab his toes. Not much bothers him at all. He has recently started saying “dadadaddadadadadadadada” and there’s an occasional “mamamamama” in there too. He has a little munchkin voice. I thought he was getting teeth (been thinking that for about a month already), but apparently I have no clue. The doctor doesn’t see any on their way and said his gums are not red or swollen. I guess Jett just likes to drool and chew on his fingers for fun. Why not, they are quite yummy looking in my opinion too.