The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) announced today (4 December) the establishment of the Global Research Institute for Finnish Education (GRIFE) to focus on education policies in Finland.
Through GRIFE, the University aims to integrate research findings into educational development, thus contributing to global education. Another goal is to drive educational development in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and around the world.
EdUHK also plans to conduct research and professional training, as well as exploring the offering of related master’s degree programmes. In the long run, GRIFE will serve as a thought leader in providing insights into educational policies and contribute to the cultivation of education practitioners and community leaders.
Renowned for its innovative, active learning, and equitable system, education in Finland has long been a role model for many countries and regions. The establishment of GRIFE represents a milestone in educational collaboration between Hong Kong and Finland.
GRIFE has already established a strong network with Finnish universities, namely the Faculty of Education of University of Lapland; the Special Education Research Group in the Faculty of Education and Culture of Tampere University; the Higher Education Group (HEG) in the Faculty of Management and Business of Tampere University; the Teachers, Teaching, and Educational Communities (TTEC) in the Faculty of Education and Psychology of the University of Oulu; the Faculty of Education and Welfare Studies of Åbo Akademi University; the School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education and the School of Educational Sciences and Psychology of University of Eastern Finland; and the Finnish Institute for Educational Research (FIER), based at the University of Jyväskylä.
Mr Yuan Xudong, the Counsellor of the Embassy of China in Finland, said, “The Embassy is happy to learn about the successful establishment of GRIFE at EdUHK and wishes to extend its warm congratulations to the University and the Institute! It is the hope of the Embassy that the establishment of the Institute will further promote global research into Finnish education and the cooperation regarding education between China and Finland.”
Mr Timo Kantola, the Consul General of Finland in Hong Kong and Macao extended his congratulations on the establishment of the Institute and said, “I welcome the plans to establish GRIFE at EdUHK. Over the years, cooperation in the field of education has played a large role in relations between Finland and Hong Kong. I trust that this new initiative will give a further boost to this cooperation. The Consulate General of Finland wishes you all the success in promoting this initiative!”
Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, President of EdUHK, said, “EdUHK will continue to enhance international collaboration in support of Hong Kong’s development as an international education hub. The newly established GRIFE will continuously strengthen EdUHK's cooperation with Finland and other overseas partners in education. I believe that the research output of GRIFE will contribute to the advancement of education in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, while promoting internationalisation and positive stories of education in Hong Kong and beyond.”
As a partner of GRIFE, Dr Cai Yuzhuo, Co-Director of the Sino-Finnish Education Research Centre at Tampere University said, “In facing global education challenges, particularly the issue of unequal access to quality learning, we need to conduct research and innovation within a framework of global cooperation to find solutions. The Finnish education system is an exemplar of co-existence of high quality and equity. GRIFE not only symbolises a commitment to global educational excellence but will also become a dynamic hub for innovation, excellence, and transformation in education.”
Ms Kathy Chung Lai-kam, Chairperson of the HK Aided Primary School Heads Association, supported the establishment of the Institute and said, “I look forward to seeing EdUHK’s continuous efforts to drive educational development and make greater contributions to global education through the establishment of the Institute.”
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