Rapid change in education systems is impossible, says Jouni Kangasniemi. Reem Mohammed / The National
Rapid change in education systems is impossible, says Jouni Kangasniemi. Reem Mohammed / The National

If the model works for Finland, why can’t it work here?



I've followed the debate over the UAE and Finnish models of education with great interest. Peter Hatherley-Greene began the discussion by writing that the Finnish model of education cannot be exported to the UAE.

His argument was followed by several other commentators, including Taneli Kukkonen from NYU Abu Dhabi, who wrote that there are actually more commonalities than you might think.

First, let me say that this debate is exactly what we need. Finns have always been willing to share their views on education and do so with no hidden agenda.

In contrast to Dr Hatherley-Greene’s opinion, we can both gain by exchanging ideas and models behind the various education systems and practices.

By allowing our own education system and our current practices to be open to criticism and testing, as well as through appraisals and second opinions, we have been able to develop our education system.

We see that by sharing our joy for learning – as well as our thoughts and ideas – the value of them doubles. Especially in a world of constant change, we need to educate people who are open to new ideas and willing to change in order to live a good life and promote business as well as society. Trust and openness are important elements in all of this.

Instead of rooting both the Emirati and Finnish cultures in the harsh living conditions of 8,000 years ago, we should be thinking how much we’ve achieved in the past century and where we are aiming to go in the next 100 years.

Cultural change is slow but constant. Had I written the first article, I would have started the comparison by stating that the Middle East has always been a lively hub for exchange between people with different backgrounds, cultures, skills and trade. Exactly the kind of place where innovation happens.

In an environment such as this, openness to all ideas, especially in the field of education, is what is needed – rather than excluding something that is already a proven success. If it has worked well for us in Finland, I am sure that the model has elements that can be adjusted for use in the UAE.

In Finland, we are aiming to be the best place in which to develop education systems.

We have always been willing to borrow those good ideas that are worth borrowing, and turn them, through close cooperation, into something our teachers can use for our own model.

We never say that any model should be excluded. The Finnish teachers returning from the Arabian Gulf say that they themselves have learnt so much there.

Rapid change in education systems is impossible. Educational transformation should be undertaken using lessons learnt from around the world. That is also where we have rooted out education system and reforms.

I agree that UAE policymakers should be careful when borrowing ideas from other countries.

What decision-makers and policymakers need to get right is the big picture for the educational landscape of their nation. Luckily today, information on all education systems and models is readily available and results are visible.

Jouni Kangasniemi is head of development at the ministry of education and culture in Finland

PROFILE OF SWVL

Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

Size: 450 employees

Investment: approximately $80 million

Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani

Vidaamuyarchi

Director: Magizh Thirumeni

Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

Rating: 4/5

 

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

Cryopreservation: A timeline
  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
  2. Ovarian tissue surgically removed
  3. Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
  4. Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The specs

Engine: 3.5-litre V6

Power: 272hp at 6,400rpm

Torque: 331Nm from 5,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.7L/100km

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Price: Dh149,000

 

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In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter

Price: From Dh2,099

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The British in India: Three Centuries of Ambition and Experience

by David Gilmour

Allen Lane

Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

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MATCH INFO

Serie A

Juventus v Fiorentina, Saturday, 8pm (UAE)

Match is on BeIN Sports

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Install an air filter in your home.

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Rest

(Because Music)

Essentials

The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours 
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.

PAST 10 BRITISH GRAND PRIX WINNERS

2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
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2013 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
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Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.

Based: Riyadh

Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany

Founded: September, 2020

Number of employees: 70

Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions

Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds  

Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices

The specs: 2019 GMC Yukon Denali

Price, base: Dh306,500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 621Nm @ 4,100rpm​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​Fuel economy, combined: 12.9L / 100km

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
MATCH INFO

World Cup qualifier

Thailand 2 (Dangda 26', Panya 51')

UAE 1 (Mabkhout 45 2')

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners