On October 29, 2024, the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, visited Tsinghua University to attend the launching ceremony of the cooperation project between Tsinghua University and the Finnish University of Applied Sciences, which will launch in-depth exchanges and cooperation in the field of higher education, and jointly promote each other's development and progress. Tsinghua University High School Vice Principal Mr. Bai Xuefeng and Executive Principal of Tsinghua International School Ms. Zhu Ying attended the ceremony.
On October 30, Olli Suominen, Counselor of Education and Science of the Embassy of Finland in Beijing, came to Tsinghua University with the China-Network of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (China-Network of Finnish UAS). The two sides jointly organized the First China-Finland Education Work Exchange Meeting, which was hosted by Tsinghua International School. This event aimed to discuss the diversified paths of education, enhance the exchange and cooperation exploration of education between the two countries, and deepen the friendship between the two countries.
Zhang Haixin, Chairman of Chinese Society of Educational Development Strategy Committee for Life and Career Education, Zheng Yanqiu, Secretary of the Party Committee of Beijing Changping Vocational School Education Group, Jia Yichang, Vice Dean of the School of Basic Medical Sciences of Tsinghua University, Hu Zhenhua, Executive Deputy Director of the Key Laboratory of the Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a National Distinguished Young Scholars of China, Wang Xiaoling, Director of the Center for International Programs of Beijing Institute of Education, Zhang Shaowu, Vice Principal of International Department of the Second High School Attached to Beijing Normal University, Li Xinxiang, Assistant Principal of the Education Group of the Branch School of the High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China, Cheng Jingjing, the Director of the BDA School of The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China, Bai Xuefeng, Vice Principal of the Tsinghua University High School (THUHS), Zhu Ying, Executive Principal of the Tsinghua International School (THIS), Tan Hongzheng, Head of the Office of Science and Technology of THUHS, and the administration team of THIS and teachers were present at the event.
During the seminar, Mr. Bai Xuefeng extended a warm welcome to the Finnish education delegation. He mentioned that Tsinghua University High School has been marching forward on the road of educational innovation. Finland's innovative teaching model and curriculum are committed to training children to become future citizens with creativity, adaptability and independent thinking. We hope that through the exchange with our Finnish counterparts, we can gain a deeper understanding of the essence of Finnish education and bring new insights into the educational reform of the attached middle school.
Counselor Mr. Olli Suominen gave a detailed introduction to the Finnish education system and teacher system, pointing out that the cornerstone of Finnish education is the equal education philosophy and strict teacher selection mechanism, where students are treated equally and have individualized learning and growth paths, while teachers have a strong sense of professional honor and a high degree of autonomy in education and teaching.
Pasi Halmari, Director of Affairs and Director of International Department of the China-Network of Finnish UAS and the Union of Hag Halia Universities of Applied Sciences, and Scott Pare, Academic Principal of the Tsinghua International School, respectively, made a wonderful sharing of applied science education and project-based learning in their schools, and fully demonstrated the characteristic highlights of the programs of each school and the practice cases.
In the interactive discussion session, Kim Lindblad, Director of International Affairs of Humack University of Applied Sciences, Tan Hongzheng, Director of the Science and Technology Office of THUHS, and Zhang Shaowu, Vice Principal of the Second High School Attached to Beijing Normal University International Department, moderated by Liu Wei, Head of Secondary of THIS, had a full discussion on the topics of the core elements of Project-Based Learning (PBL) and the challenges encountered in the process of practicing.
Witnessed by Counselor Mr. Olli Suominen, Mr. Kim Lindblad, Mr. Jia Yichang and Ms. Zhu Ying, Mr. Bai Xuefeng and Mr. Pasi Halmari signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on behalf of the Tsinghua University High School and the China-Network of Finnish UAS and presented each other with gifts.
THIS Executive Principal Ms. Zhu Ying concluded that for this seminar, we not only had the honor to communicate with the China-Network of Finnish UAS and achieved fruitful results, but also invited the domestic famous international education experts to participate in the event together. She believes that the signing of this MOU will bring new opportunities for both sides to cooperate, open up new pathways for our students, jointly provide students with a global perspective and innovation ability, and make our new contribution to the flourishing development of international education.
The Finnish delegation, foreign and Chinese teachers from Tsinghua University HIgh School and Tsinghua International School attented the seminar and listened attentatively throughout the meeting. The seminar was hosted by Ms. Dong Wenbo, THIS Vice Principal of Operation.
Then, hosted by Ms. Bai Wenting, THIS Chinese Vice Principal, the leaders of THUHS, THIS and the representatives of the China-Network of Finnish UAS had an in-depth and detailed discussion on the future cooperation.
At the same time, the Finnish teachers brought a well-prepared teaching demonstration class to the teachers of THUHS and THIS. Based on the activity design, the Finnish teachers shared the project-based teaching methods and innovative concepts of cross-disciplinary class design, which brought new perspectives and experiences to the teachers present.
In the afternoon, the Finnish education delegation went into the classrooms of THIS and observed the classes in a number of subjects, including English, science, math and art. After the class observation, they had an in-depth exchange with the teachers. They highly praised the classroom structure, teaching ideas and teacher-student interaction.
At the end of the day, the China-Network of Finnish UAS met with THIS parents and students to discuss the essence of education and how to promote children's personalized growth and stimulate the internal drive for lifelong learning. Hosted by THIS students Jennifer Tong and Tianxiao Wang, the event was characterized by laughter and insights. Even after the event was over, the parents and students were still interested in talking with the Finnish teachers.
During the day, Counselor Mr. Olli Suominen was interviewed by THIS students Ana Dong, Asher Lee and Jerry Yu, sharing his views on education and discussing the key factors for personal growth from both the school's and the students' perspectives.
Text by: Mercy Xu, Toni Dong
Photos by: Mercy Xu, Fontaine Yang, Renee Zhu
Reviewed by: Zhang Jie, Renee Zhu, Yang Rui, Cen Yifei
Edited by: Administrative Management Center
