The visit to the Vietnam - Finland International School (VFIS) of the Counselor of Education and Science in the Embassy of Finland in Singapore.
On April 17, 2024, Vietnam - Finland International School (VFIS) had the privilege of hosting Mr. Mika Tirronen, Counselor of Education and Science in the Embassy of Finland in Singapore, along with Ms. Mac Le Thu Hong, Special Advisor, Embassy of Finland in Hanoi.
During the visit, Mr. Tirronen shared insights on the implementation of Finnish education in Southeast Asian countries (China, Thailand, India and Singapore) and the support activities undertaken in those regions. He also expressed interest in understanding the challenges faced by VFIS in delivering Finnish education in Vietnam, particularly related to cultural differences, mindset, and special education.
VFIS School Board also encompassed difficulties in teacher recruitment and expectations for the Embassy to facilitate favorable policies and procedures to support Finnish teachers in Vietnam. Mr. Tirronen expressed his commitment to fostering collaboration between VFIS and Finnish universities, such as the University of Helsinki and the University of Turku, to facilitate cooperation and annual training activities for teachers.
Mr. Tirronen highly praised the dynamic and inspiring Finnish educational environment at VFIS, recognizing its significant contribution to the overall development of students. He also inquired about the history and operations of VFIS and Ton Duc Thang University, as a joint institution under Vietnam's public universities, which received special attention from senior government leaders during its establishment.
The evaluation of educational programs in other countries, along with plans to assess Finland's educational program at VFIS, was another topic of discussion. Our VFIS School Board expressed our desire for annual training sessions for Vietnamese teachers and foreign teachers (non-Finnish nationals) to deepen their understanding of Finnish educational philosophies.
Mr. Mika Tirronen also discussed how the Innovations in teaching and learning activities were explored, including curriculum enhancements, resource sharing, and the introduction of exceptional Finnish teachers to VFIS. The aim is to create opportunities for students to integrate, express their personal identities, and engage in international exchange activities.
The meeting and exchange were successful, and Ms. Miekk-Oja Suvi Kristiina, VFIS Acting Head of School, expressed gratitude to the Finnish Embassy in Vietnam and Singapore for their attention. She affirmed that VFIS will carefully consider the Embassy's feedback to enhance the quality of education, foster a healthy school environment, and promote high international integration. The visit holds promise for future cooperation and positive development, ultimately benefiting VFIS students.
