Starting January 1, 2025, Åbo Akademi University (ÅAU) will issue electronic degree certificates for all graduates. This transition aligns with national trends in Finland and aims to enhance the validation, security, and convenience of degree certificates.
According to the university’s official statement, the electronic degree certificates promise to be beneficial in many ways:
- Ease of Sharing: The electronic certificates can be easily shared for job applications and further studies, eliminating the need for scanning.
- High-Quality Signatures: The certificates will feature an approved electronic signature (QES) according to the eIDAS regulation, ensuring international recognition.
- Sustainability and Reliability: This move supports sustainability and improves the reliability of the certification process.
For those wondering about this transition’s effect on traditional graduation ceremonies, it will continue unaffected by the change. Additionally, the degree certificates will remain being issued in both Swedish and English, including all necessary documents such as the transcript of records and Diploma Supplement. Students can still request a certified copy of the degree certificate in paper form for specified needs such as pursuing doctoral studies abroad or applying for a job.
For more details, you can refer to the intranet or contact studinfo@abo.fi.