From the Finnish Experience to the Chinese Path:Review and Reflections on Chinese Research on Finnish Education

Purpose:The purpose of this article is(1)to provide a critical analysis of the Finnish experience of education reforms based on published Chinese research on Finnish education and(2)to discuss how such experience can serve as a model as China embarks on its own path toward educational reform.Design/Approach/Methods:This article is based on an analysis of the research on Finnish education contained in the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database from 2000 to 2017.Findings:The analysis shows that although the various aspects of Finnish education have been extensively studied in China,the content of prior studies has generally been similar and is insufficiently in depth.In particular,current research(1)lacks effective exploration of the successful experience of Finnish education reform and(2)devotes insufficient attention to the social culture perspective and core concepts that serve as the basis of education in Finland.Originality/Value:This article extends the authors’recent review of Chinese research on Finnish education and places special emphasis on the discussions regarding how China can learn from Finland’s experience with educational reform.It also identifies gaps in the current research in the field and calls for a change in the future research agenda from examining the successful elements of Finnish education to focusing on how the experience of Finnish education is relevant to reforms in China.

Enhancing Overseas Chinese Graduate Employability:The Case of Chinese Graduates with Finnish Academic Qualifications

This paper explores ways to enhance overseas Chinese graduate employability by taking Finnish-educated Chinese students/graduates as an example.In so doing,it understands that graduate employability development is a joint effort of multiple stakeholders including students,graduates,academics,program coordinators,employers,and policymakers.Accordingly,it provides arguments and suggestions for how to enhance the employability of these graduates in terms of the labor market context,employers’beliefs and actions,the responsibilities of higher education institutions,and student/graduate commitment.It also points out two major challenges faced by overseas Chinese graduates as well as their educational providers,which are linked respectively to gaps between what graduates acquire in higher education and what is required in the labor market,as well as gaps from the employers’perspective:areas where employers need to understand more about universities and catch up with new ideas generated by them.

Dancing in Fetters?Chinese Principals’Perceptions of the Effects of Finnish Training Programs

Although there is an increased interest in overseas training for educational leaders in China,little is known about the value of such programs.This qualitative case study explores Chinese school principals’perceptions of leadership practices and professional development after undertaking a Finnish training program.The article also explores difficulties related to different educational contexts when an attempt is made at applying the Finnish education experience to China.Famed for its excellent education,Finland is currently actively involved in exporting its education by providing such training programs to the whole world.Data was collected by semi-structured interviews with six Shanghai principals.The results showed a certain level of satisfaction but also needs for improvement.It thus appears that such an overseas training program can play a positive but limited role in expanding Chinese principals’leadership practices and professional development.

The Role of the Finnish Basic Education Model in Enhancing Students’Happiness and Learning Motivation

This paper examines the Finnish basic education model,renowned for its student-centric approach and high performance in international assessments.The study explores the model’s core principles,including equity,teacher autonomy,and minimal standardized testing,and their impact on student happiness and motivation.Through case studies,interviews,and surveys with students,teachers,and parents,the paper provides an in-depth analysis of the Finnish model’s effectiveness.Challenges such as adaptability to diverse cultural contexts,integration of immigrant students,and sustainability in the face of global educational trends are also discussed.The paper concludes with recommendations for the continued evolution of the Finnish model,emphasizing the need for adaptability,inclusivity,and a focus on sustainability and technology integration.