STUDY ABROAD: India-Finland partnership needs a new approach to enhance grassroots teaching, academic collaboration and capacity building

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STUDY ABROAD: India-Finland partnership needs a new approach to enhance grassroots teaching, academic collaboration and capacity building

With several Finnish Universities collaborating for research projects, teacher training and student exchanges in India, how does Education Finland plan to enhance these activities?

While Finnish higher education institutions (HEIs) enjoy a high degree of autonomy, the Finnish government, the National Agency for Education, and Education Finland actively support their efforts to collaborate internationally, including with India. Key frameworks such as the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Finland and India, as well as joint statements such as the one from the 2024 virtual meeting, further reinforce the commitment to strengthening cooperation in higher education.

 

Several Finnish universities are already engaged in research projects, teacher training, and student exchange programmes with Indian institutions. Programmes including the Global Innovation Network for Teaching and Learning (GINTL) 2021-2024 have provided an essential foundation for enhancing these collaborations and seeding future initiatives. Many Finnish HEIs are also members of Education Finland, and we work to connect them with additional opportunities for financing and partnerships, especially in cases where existing funding instruments may be lacking.

 

By facilitating dialogue and identifying new funding mechanisms, we can support Finnish universities in expanding their collaborations in areas such as capacity-building. We also recognise that top-tier research in India is already at a very high level, and research collaborations are typically driven by research universities and institutions themselves, rather than being initiated by government bodies. However, if any hindrances or obstacles are identified, we can work together to remove them and support smoother collaboration.

 

As Education Finland participated in the Education and EdTech Fair in DIDAC 2024 in New Delhi, were the objectives met at the event?

Finland’s participation in DIDAC 2024 highlights our commitment to fostering international collaboration in education and EdTech. Education Finland, a governmental programme under the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI), supports Finnish educational expertise through partnerships and knowledge sharing. India is one of the key focus countries for both public and private members of our programme, who are seeking opportunities for commercial education and knowledge-sharing collaborations.

 

The progressive National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) in India shares many common values with the Finnish education system, such as an emphasis on holistic learning, critical thinking, and systemic transformation. NEP 2020’s goal of reforming education by 2030 aligns with our ethos that meaningful change in education takes time. By co-developing new approaches at all levels of grassroots teaching to leadership and administration, Finland and India can work together to make that vision a reality.

 

India has an expanding startup sector where new founders and innovators are getting a lot of opportunities. How does Finland plan to integrate and partner with the Indian startup ecosystem?

Innovation cannot be forced, and successful collaboration within the startup scene, including in education and EdTech, requires building awareness and connections between ecosystems. The approach should focus on ensuring that both Finnish and Indian startup and innovation ecosystems are aware of the opportunities and activities in each other’s countries. By fostering this mutual understanding, we can create a foundation for organic collaboration to thrive.

 

In Finland, particularly within the education and EdTech sectors, public-private partnerships are crucial. These collaborations bring together stakeholders from universities, research institutes, startups, schools, institutes and private companies to work on research, development, and evidence-based solutions. Many successful startups in Finland have emerged from these partnerships, including spin-offs from universities and research institutions. By promoting these models, we aim to create a smoother path for innovative solutions to move from research to market, addressing global challenges such as the learning crisis and supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

The Finnish EdTech startup scene is eager to explore how India and Finland can co-develop solutions that not only push the boundaries of education technology but also address global educational challenges together.

 

Finnish International Schools are making a prominent presence in India. What are the plans to increase the number of Finnish schools in India? Also, do you see the increasing competition with international schools from the UK and Switzerland that are setting up campuses in India?

Finnish International Schools are gaining prominence in India by introducing key elements of the Finnish education ethos, which is centred on the well-being and holistic development of the student. This approach emphasises student-centric learning, collaboration over competition, problem-solving, and a phenomenon-based learning method rather than rote memorisation. It highlights the importance of soft skills, arts, music, physical education, and home economics, teaching students not only practical life skills but also how to take care of themselves. From an early age, there is also a focus on developing an entrepreneurial mindset. Instead of relying on heavy standardized testing, Finnish education uses continuous, formative assessment and prioritises skills and competencies over detailed content.

 

When establishing Finnish International Schools in India, it is essential to adapt to the local culture and context while retaining these core principles. The key to success lies in building strong partnerships between Indian and Finnish entities, ensuring that the Finnish educational approach, when blended with local nuances, remains effective and relevant.

 

As the world changes rapidly, lifelong and life wide learning is becoming critical to everyone’s future. The Finnish approach is not about achieving test scores, but about preparing students to adapt continuously. In a world where individuals must constantly update their knowledge, skills, and competencies, Finnish education equips students with the tools to help themselves throughout their lives. Gone are the days when earning a degree was enough for a lifetime – the Finnish model fosters a mindset of ongoing learning and self-improvement.

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