Theme & Programme

The theme for the European First Year Experience Conference in May 2013 is

“My University – making the most of the first year experience”

The keynote speakers for the conference have been confirmed and we are proud to present them: Dr. Diane Nutt, Teesside University, Director André van Zyl, University of Johannesburg, Professor Sari Lindblom-Ylänne, University of Helsinki and Vice-Rector, Professor Jukka Kola, University of Helsinki.

Conference programme

The theme of the different sessions are in brackets. By clicking on the link of the session name (e.g. workshop 1) you will see the session description.

There will be no sign-up for the individual sessions, you can participate in any sessions you like as long as there is room in the auditoriums.

The programme as a pdf-document.

Alla session descriptions/abstracts in one pdf-document: All abstracts.

A simplified map of all the main conference venues.

Monday 13.5.2013
9:30am Registration opens at the University Main building, Fabianinkatu 33
11:00am – 1:00pm Lunch (Banquet Rooms, Unioninkatu 33)
1:00pm – 2:00pm Opening session
Keynote speaker: Vice-Rector, Professor Jukka Kola, University of Helsinki
“First year students – the most important thing”
(University Main building, Small Hall)
2:00pm – 2:30pm Coffee break
2:30pm – 3:15pm Sessions (University Main building):
Workshop 1 (Guidance and counseling) (room 16)
Workshop 2 (Students for students) (room 8)
Workshop 3 (Leadership and management) (room 15)
Workshop 4 (Guidance and counseling) (room 7)
Workshop 5 (Student participation in the community) (room 14)
Round table 6 (Guidance and counseling) (room 18)
3:30pm – 4:30pm Keynote speaker: Professor Sari Lindblom-Ylänne, University of Helsinki
“Factors enhancing and impeding engagement of first-year students”
(University Main building, Small Hall)
4:45pm – 5:45pm Optional social activities
6:30pm – 8:00PM Opening Reception at Helsinki City Hall, Pohjoisesplanadi 11-13 (cocktails)
Tuesday 14.5.2013
9:30am – 11 am Sessions (University Main building):
Show and tell 7 (Curriculum and course development) (room 21)
Show and tell 8 (Students for students) (room 16)
Show and tell 9 (Best practices) (room 7)
Show and tell 10 (Supporting student learning) (room 15)
Workshop 11 (Guidance and counseling) (room 8)
Round table 12 (Best practices) (room 18)
11:00am – 1:00pm Lunch (Banquet Rooms, Unioninkatu 33)
1:00pm – 2:30pm Sessions (University Main building):
Inspirational session 13 (Supporting student learning) (room 16)
Inspirational session 14 (Students for students) (room 8)
Inspirational session 15 (Retention) (room 15)
Inspirational session 16 (Guidance and counseling) (room 7)
Inspirational session 17 (Supporting student learning) (room 14)
Round table 18 (Supporting student learning) (room 18)
2:30pm – 3:00pm Coffee break
3:00pm – 4:15pm Keynote speaker: Director André van Zyl, University of Johannesburg
“The FYE at the University of Johannesburg: Moving from access only towards true epistemological access and success.” (Porthania building, Yliopistonkatu 3)
4:45pm – 5:45pm Optional social activities
6:00pm – 10:00PM Social Dinner (sit down dinner) (Banquet Rooms, Unioninkatu 33)
wednesday 15.5.2013
8:30am – 9:45am Sessions (University Main building):
Inspirational session 19 (Ways and tools of communication) (Small Hall)
Inspirational session 20 (Best practices) (room 8)
Inspirational session 21 (Supporting student learning) (room 15)
Inspirational session 22 (Curriculum and course development) (room 14)
Inspirational session 23 (Retention) (room 7)
10:00am – 11:00am Keynote speaker: Dr. Diane Nutt, Teesside University
“First Year Experience: Past Present and Future”
(University Main building, Small Hall)
11:00am – 1:00pm Lunch (Banquet Rooms, Unioninkatu 33)

Programme is subject to change.

Information on the call for papers.

Information on accommodation.

Important dates

  •     January 7th, 2013: Call for papers
  •     February 20th, 2013: Deadline for submissions
  •     February 28th, 2013: Notification of acceptance
  •     March 6th, 2013: Opening of registration for participants
  •     April 17th, 2013: Last day of registration
  •     May 13th – 15th, 2013: 7th European Conference on the First Year  Experience in Helsinki