GRIFE means Global Research Institute for Finnish Education, which has been established by the EdUHK president, Professor Lee. The key elements behind the establishment of the institute are that Finnish education system is known for equality, happiness, and freedom, consistently ranks top in global education, contributing to Finland being “the happiest country in the world”.
The institute offers comparative research opportunities between Finnish universities and EdUHK, which aims to new innovations and global educational changes. The EdUHK offers a unique location between Eastern and Western education spheres. Joint research projects offer mutual benefits and impacts both to Chinese and Finnish educational studies. The Institute draws researchers worldwide to study Finnish education, bringing diverse perspectives and driving comprehensive research.
The GRIFE Kick-Off Conference took place on 5.-7.6.2024. The conference programme offered a World Café workshop, keynotes, paper – and poster presentations and SIG group meetings. During the conference, we had also possibility to visit the Education University of Hong Kong Early Childhood Learning Centre and The International School of Macao, https://tis.edu.mo/. This school follows educational SISU-programme, focusing to language education (Chinese, English, and Portuguese). The school is led by Pekka Eksymä from Finland. Among the other staff members, two early childhood teachers and four class teachers from Finland work at the school.
The University of Turku contribution to the conference was impressive. Professor emerita Inkeri Ruokonen had a keynote titled “Educating 21st century teachers – Focusing on learning through the arts in versatile learning environments”. University lecturer Anitta Melasalmi gave paper presentation, “The renewed guided practicums of University of Turku Early Childhood Teacher Education”, and in poster session they both introduced “Developing in-service early childhood teacher’s mentoring skills during teaching practicums”.
Both Inkeri Ruokonen and Anitta Melasalmi participated in the Teacher Education SIG group, where the purpose was to tackle the recognized challenges in Hong Kong and Finland. The forthcoming research aims to explore factors that enhance both pre- and in-service teachers’ well-being, and factors that can prevent ill-being in pedagogical contexts. The mission is to create a sustainable and open research culture between Finland and EdUHK and set a solid basis for long-term research and developing collaboration in the field of teacher education. The TE-group aim is to publish two research articles during the next year 2025.
The Members of the TE-SIG are:
- Signe Siklander and Jaakko Moilanen, University of Oulu
- Ritva Kantelinen and Suhao Peng, the University of Eastern Finland
- Haigin Liu, Äbo Academy
- Susanna Yeung Siu Sze, EdUHK
- Yvonne Xianhan Huang, EdUHK
- Zhang Qiaoping, EdUHK
- Anitta Melasalmi and Inkeri Ruokonen, University of Turku
PS. Tips for those who are going or planning to travel to Hong Kong:
1. Check that your passport is valid at least 90 days(if you want to visit Macao as well)
2. Don’t irritate the boarder control officers in case you are detained when arriving in the country.
3. Check your taxi color before hand – the green ones drive to New Territories.
4. Get a map of the metro system and don’t get lost – ask for help in many languages.
5. Do not drink tap water, or at least take some diarrhea pills.
6. In the summertime you might need an umbrella, although the temperature is around 30 Celsius or more.
7. Swimming suit is convenient both in the rainy days or if your hotel has a swimming pool (take a swimming suit with you because it is almost impossible to find a shop offering swimming suits).
8. If you don’t like running, do your homework and check every five minutes the gate of your departing flight.
9. Do not drag your luggage upside down at the airport roller map, it will draw attention – and you might harm it (not able to travel no more).
10. If you want to save money, go to every party or whisky tasting available at the airport, but try to stay sober at the same time.
+ Take selfies at every corner– that prevents getting lost.
++ Check the condition of the airplane toilet before you enter in, or you may need to wash your shoes, trousers, and ….
Best wishes
Inkeri and Anitta (very experienced academic travelers) 😊