What is a code of conduct and who does it apply to?
All of Metropolia’s activities are based on its strategy, jointly defined values, and a responsible approach to operations. Our values guide our decision-making, our collaboration, and the way we work together with students, staff, the business community, and society to build a sustainable future.
The ethical principles derived from these values define the common rules that are binding on every member of the Metropolia community. These ethical principles support sound decision-making in our daily work and strengthen trust, transparency, and accountability in all our activities.
Metropolia’s Code of Conduct have been developed in collaboration with the university community and are regularly reviewed and updated in line with changing legislation, the operating environment, and societal expectations. The Code of Conduct apply to all members of our university community: students, staff, management, the Board of Directors, and our partners. Metropolia’s President and CEO, together with the Executive Team, is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Code of Conduct, which have been approved by Metropolia’s Board of Directors.
Message from the President and CEO Marko Hakovirta
"Our Code of Conduct describes the kind of community we want to be and how we put Metropolia’s strategy into practice.
Our operating environment is changing rapidly. Technological development, internationalization, growing expectations around responsibility, and transformation of higher education and the working life require us to continuously reform our ways of working. A shared value base and a strong ethical culture form the foundation of our activities.
Everyone at Metropolia has a responsibility to ensure that we act openly, respectfully, responsibly and professionally. An ethical culture is built through our everyday actions, decisions and interactions. It is reflected in the way we engage with students, colleagues, partners and the society around us.
Metropolia’s strategy emphasizes impact, renewal and building a sustainable future. Our Code of Conduct helps ensure that we achieve our goals in a manner that inspires trust and creates long-term value for society.
I encourage everyone at Metropolia to familiarize themselves with these principles and apply them in their work, studies and collaboration. Together, we are building a responsible, courageous and forward-looking Metropolia."
8.9.2026
Metropolia’s value base
The Code of Conduct of operation are based on Metropolia’s value base:
- Towards a sustainable future
- With an orientation on solution
- With competence renewal
- With a human touch
These values support Metropolia’s strategic goal of being an influential, international, and innovative university of applied sciences that builds solutions for a sustainable future together with students, staff, and partners.
Get to know the areas of ethical principles
Good Governance and Quality
Good governance and quality are part of our ethical operating principles. We operate in accordance with the principles of good governance.More Sustainable and Responsible Metropolia
Sustainable development is part of our ethical operating principles. For us, it means responsibility for people, the environment and the economy.Responsibility for information
Responsibility for information, data protection and information security, and respect for intellectual property rights are part of our ethical operating principles.Responsible teaching and learning
Responsible teaching and learning is part of our ethical operating principles. Pedagogical guidelines ensure a common understanding.Responsible Research, Development, and Innovation
Responsible research, development and innovation activities are part of our ethical operating principles. Our operations are based on researched information.Health, wellbeing, and safety
and safety are part of our ethical operating principles. We take care of the health and well-being of the entire university community.Operating Culture
A communal and open operating culture and active intervention are part of our ethical operating principles.Equity and accessibility
Equality and accessibility are part of our ethical operating principles. We promote diversity and equality in our community.Financial responsibility
Responsible economy is our ethical operating principles. We manage our finances in compliance with legislation and official regulations.Responsible communication and cooperation
Responsible and transparent communication as well as cooperation and partnerships are part of our ethical operating principles.
Enforcement of the Code of Conduct
Metropolia's Management Group monitors the implementation of and the feedback on the Code of Conduct regularly and reports its conclusions to Metropolia's Board of Directors every six months. The Code of Conduct is reviewed and updated every six months, as necessary.
Each new employee is familiarized with the Code of Conduct as part of their induction and all new students as part of their orientation. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that their unit complies with the Code of Conduct. The ethical competence of the entire university community is maintained and supported.
What should I do in case of a problem?
If you observe a situation where this Code of Conduct is breached in your opinion or observe any activity that violates the spirit of our ethical principles, bring the matter to the attention of the relevant party. If you feel that you are unable to do so, discuss the issue with your teacher or supervisor. If this is also not possible, you can provide feedback anonymously.
Feedback can be submitted
- by anyone using the general contact form
- or by employees through the Whistleblowing channel. Learn more about submitting a whistleblowing report on the employee intranet (login required).
Feedback can be provided anonymously. Each message is treated confidentially. Do however provide contact information if you wish to receive a response to your feedback. We encourage everyone to include their name when bringing up shortcomings, as we will be better able to investigate and intervene in the situation if we can discuss it with you. There are no consequences for the reporter for reporting an incident.