A Warm GRIFE Welcome to Professor Yrjö Engeström!
Welcoming Meeting
The GRIFE team was delighted to extend a heartfelt welcome to our Visiting Professor, Professor Yrjö Engeström from University of Helsinki, who arrived at The Education University of Hong Kong on 3 October 2025. This visit marks the beginning of an exciting period of academic exchange and collaborative potential.
The visit commenced with an engaging welcome meeting and lunch. Our GRIFE directors, Professor Yuzhuo Cai, Professor Lixun Wang, Dr. Wai Chin Li, and Dr. Annie Xinyun Hu had a fruitful dialogue with Professor Engeström. The discussions moved beyond simple introductions to explore the synergies between his theories and our ongoing projects. They explored GRIFE's journey in fostering educational innovation, its vision for the future, and how Professor Engeström's expertise can provide new lenses for our research. This initial conversation was not just a greeting, but a genuine co-configuration of ideas, setting a vibrant and collaborative tone for his stay.
Meeting with the President
On 27 October 2025, during a meeting and discussion with Professor John Lee, President of The Education University of Hong Kong, Professor Yrjö Engeström highly commended the vision behind the establishment of GRIFE at EdUHK and fully affirmed its internationalization and regional expansion in the field of research. He also expressed great appreciation for President Lee's sharing on the university's institutional innovation, development strategies, and leadership style, and stated his intention to further deepen research collaboration with EdUHK.
School Visits
The following few weeks were inspiring, as we accompanied Professor Yrjö Engeström on a rich series of engagements across Hong Kong's educational landscape.
On 8 October 2025, we conducted a meaningful visit to Po Leung Kuk C. W. Chu College. We are grateful to Principal Mr. Marco Chiu for his generous hospitality. The day was packed with insights, from an introduction to the school's ethos to a lively interaction session and an inspiring campus tour.
Another visit took place on 14 October 2025 at Hong Kong Teachers' Association Lee Heng Kwei Secondary School and was attended by Professor Yrjö Engeström, visiting scholar at EdUHK/GRIFE, Dr. Yvonne Xianhan Huang, and Dr. Serena Ruoyi Qiu. The day commenced with an insightful observation of an English lesson and casual interactions with students, gaining direct insights into their learning experiences. Following the classroom observation, our team met with Principal Cindy Chan. The discussion covered various topics including the school's initiatives. They also enjoyed a campus tour, which highlighted the school's facilities and lively campus environment.
The following week, on 23 October 2025, Professor Engeström concluded his school visits at Po Leung Kuk Mrs. Chan Nam Chong Memorial Primary School. This experience allowed him to see how foundational educational principles are nurtured from a young age.
Seminar Series
On 16 October 2025, Professor Engeström delivered a talk on “Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) as a Framework for Educational Research.” The session was chaired by Professor Yuzhuo Cai and provided a theoretical lens for understanding learning and development.
On 22 October 2025, he gave another talk on “Change Laboratories in Schools: Moving into the Zone of Proximal Development.” Chaired by Professor Lixun Wang, this session explored practical, interventionist methods for driving collaborative transformation within educational institutions.
Consultations
Beyond the scheduled events, a highlight was the opportunity for one-on-one research consultations. Professor Engeström generously dedicated time to meeting with scholars and students from The Education University of Hong Kong, providing invaluable feedback and guidance on their ongoing projects.
This entire series was a powerful reminder that the future of education lies at the intersection of profound theory and passionate practice. Many thanks for Professor Yrjö Engeström for his visit at GRIFE in Hong Kong and giving us lots of inspiration and advice!
