Global Research Institute for Finnish Education (GRIFE) — Special Interest Groups (SIGs) members under Academy for Educational Development and Innovation (AEDI) of The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) connects with scholars who are interested in entrepreneurship education (Entrepreneurial STEM), school leaders development (Teacher Education), and vocational education, and exploring potential research cooperations.
The SIGs members : Prof. Susanna YEUNG Siu Sze, Prof. Anatoly OLEKSIYENKO, Dr. HO Chun Sing Maxwell, Dr. XIONG WeiYan, and our special guest, Principal CHAN Po Ling from Po Leung Kuk Tin Ka Ping Millennium Primary School, recently visited several esteemed Finnish institutions in summer, including:
• University of Eastern Finland
• University of Jyväskylä
• Tampere University
• University of Lapland
Deliverables
• Research collaboration in entrepreneurship education and school leadership while establishing connections with Finland to develop an exchange program for our new master‘s program and principal training at EdUHK.
• Forming alliances with Finnish universities and schools for both teachers and students.
• Learning and experiencing Finnish education: Cross-cultural learning and professional development.
Conducting collaborative research and meeting with GRIFE partners.
During the Finland trip, our Global Research Institute for Finnish Education (GRIFE) — Special Interest Groups (SIGs) members have conducted collaborative research and met with GRIFE partners. From 22 Aug to 23 Aug, the GRIFE & Finnish Institute for Educational Research (FIER) - Social Robot Collaboration Meetings explored the potential applications of a social robot tailored for English language learning among young learners, developed by Professor Susanna YEUNG Siu Sze. Professor Yeung showcased the robot’s unique emotional and interactive features, highlighting its advantages in
• Enhancing language environments;
• Providing teacher support;
• Facilitating children‘s engagement and responsiveness.
Moreover, implementation details of using social robot in February 2025 were discussed, planning forthcoming training sessions and workshops for research staff and teachers.
Forming alliances with Finnish universities and schools for both teachers and student.
Dr. HO Chun Sing Maxwell had visited diverse universities with spectrum of insights :
• University of Eastern Finland (UEF) - discussed collaboration opportunities among Special Education and Teacher Education departments, etc.
• University of Jyväskylä, - engaged with the Department of Educational Leadership and visited Muurame Primary and High Schools; and Visited Muurame Primary School; and explored the Crazy Town, an entrepreneurial coworking space.
• Tampere University - meeting with collaborators at the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Management and Business; and field visits to a special education-oriented early childhood education center and Tampere University‘s teacher training school.
Professional development by attending thematic workshop.
During the Finland trip, our Global Research Institute for Finnish Education (GRIFE) — Special Interest Groups (SIGs) members have attended the workshop on ”China’s Perceptions and Strategies on Higher Education Cooperation with Europe“ (held on August 30, hybrid event), co-organised by the GRIFE, the Sino-Finnish Education Research Centre, and Sino-Finnish Joint Learning Innovation Institute (JoLII). The remarkable insights of strengthening the HKSAR positioning to connect between China and Europe on high education development have been received.
