- Malaysia and Finland are deepening education cooperation with a focus on circular economy, sustainability, and climate solutions.
- Finland’s expertise in applied, student-centered learning is helping Malaysia integrate TVET and sustainability into early childhood and school curricula.
- Collaboration includes teacher exchanges, academic partnerships, and industry-academia initiatives in renewable energy, smart grids, and circular economy models.
Malaysia and Finland are strengthening their cooperation in education with an emphasis on circular economy, sustainable development, and solutions to climate change. Al-Fadil Adam, Malaysia's Chargé d'Affaires ad interim in Helsinki, pointed out that Finland's experience in sustainable education models is in tandem with Malaysia's current educational reforms, which present a sound premise for future collaborative efforts. He underscored the great potential for creating programs focused on green skills, climate solutions, and circular economy principles, especially in Malaysia's growing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and early childhood education systems.
Malaysia is undergoing a significant transformation in its education system by integrating TVET from as early as Year 1 by 2027. Finland has been identified as a strategic partner in shaping this reform, especially due to its strengths in applied learning and sustainability-focused education. Al-Fadil noted that Malaysia can learn significantly from Finland's education system, particularly in cultivating awareness of sustainable development and climate solutions from an early age.
He also commended Finland's student-centered, integrated approach to learning, where subjects are not compartmentalized but integrated and experiential. Following a similar approach, Malaysia hopes to integrate sustainability into all aspects of the curriculum so that children grasp the interrelatedness of environmental, social, and economic challenges from an early age.
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A number of recent events have added further substance to the cooperation in education. Yayasan Khazanah also made a study visit for Malaysian teachers to the University of Oulu, where they identified central elements of the Finnish approach such as digital learning, education based on nature, equity, and inclusive practices, most of which are aligned with the principles of sustainability. The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) has also received academic exchanges with Finnish partners to discuss pedagogical enhancements that enhance more resilient and forward-looking learning environments.
In addition to education exchanges, industry-academia collaboration within the wide framework of the green economy has been stressed. Malaysian authorities like the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) have joined Finnish-hosted platforms such as Vaasa Energy Week and Kuala Lumpur circular economy business forums. These interactions have created new opportunities for renewable energy cooperation, smart grids, electric mobility, and circular business models.
This strengthened cooperation between Malaysia and Finland reflects mutual determination for sustainable development and climate solutions. By capitalizing on strengths and experience, both countries have set a goal to build a more sustainable and resilient world through education and collaborative efforts.
