Fulbright Programs Paving Ways for Partnerships Finland has worked systemati-
can eventually also help companies
cally for several decades to advance
become international. New learn-
quality and equality in education.
ing
Our nine-year basic education sys-
tional materials and new services
tem guarantees equal access to high
are useful just as long as they re-
From the Executive Director
quality education for all students,
spond to the challenges in learn-
safeguarding good competence for
ing and generate better learning
further studies and working life.
outcomes. This challenges teachers
The OECD PISA studies show that
and teaching too. For this reason,
quality and equality are not oppo-
we believe it is important to en-
Changing World? Changing Fulbright.
sites in the context of education.
courage research in learning and
Often they are in fact complemen-
pedagogical studies, both on the
The world around us is changing, and 21st century
tary, with greater parity tending to
national arena and in international
challenges are becoming increasingly global and
increase the quality of education
partnerships. Finns and Americans
complex. The Finnish-American Fulbright program
and learning outcomes. This is one
face much the same research chal-
continually evolves, incorporating innovative ideas
of the most important lessons for
lenges, so it is good to see that our
and technologies to respond to our changing world
every country.
two nations are working together in
and to meet the needs of this century.
environments,
new
educa-
Civilized nations build their
many areas of research. Last year,
At its recent strategic planning meeting, the Ful-
structures and national economy
for instance, several joint research
bright Center Board of Directors underlined the Cen-
on the ability to acquire learning.
projects were launched, financed
ter’s vision of empowering the minds that will find
Learning remains at the heart of
by the National Science Foundation
global solutions to tomorrow’s challenges by foster-
everything, but the way we learn
(NSF), the Academy of Finland and
ing academic and professional expertise and excel-
and the channels we use for learn-
the Finnish Funding Agency for In-
lence in leadership. The Board articulated several
ing today are much faster, more
novation (Tekes).
new initiatives, including establishing a short-term
flexible and more dynamic than
There is no denying that re-
grant program in key fields that would fill a gap iden-
before. This can be seen in the way
search cooperation between the
tified by universities in Finland, and organizing a U.S.
youth today use mobile ICT as
United States and Finland has al-
study tour focused on online education to facilitate
tool in learning.
a broader virtual exchange between Finland and the
a
ways played an important role in
Education systems must be able
making the Finnish research and
to integrate these new forms of
innovation system more interna-
The Finnish-American Fulbright program focuses
learning, but schools are still too
tional. I believe we should continue
on areas that are of key importance to both countries,
much focused in their old ways of
to promote collaboration in scien-
such as education and the environment: especially
teaching. To change this, Finland
tific research between Finnish and
the Arctic. The Minister of Education and Commu-
will be introducing an educational
American research organizations,
nications, Ms. Krista Kiuru underlines the mutual
cloud service that supports teach-
and especially in the public, private
benefit of education exchanges in building a knowl-
ing and learning, gives access to
and third sector, where existing
edgeable and successful nation (p. 2). U.S. teachers
teaching
opportunities have not been fully
bring elements of Finland’s chart-topping education
users to share learning experiences.
program home to improve the U.S. education system.
The cloud service equips teach-
Broad collaboration flourishes
In cooperation with the U.S. Department of State, the
ers with a wide range of educa-
where people meet. Fulbright pro-
Fulbright Center will double the number of Ameri-
tional material and encourages
grams, well established yet con-
can teachers coming to Finland next year on the Ful-
them to discuss, exchange views
stantly evolving, pave the way
bright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program.
and develop teaching strategies
for
In a globalized world, the Fulbright program is be-
together. Easily available materi-
exchange, which is increasing, is
coming increasingly multilateral. The expansion of
als will hopefully inspire teachers
a good example of how the Ful-
cooperation and joint initiatives among Fulbright com-
to use various digital services more
bright cooperation keeps abreast
missions from different countries provides concrete
diffusely,
to
of things, encouraging mobility
examples of this development, and Finland’s alumni
dedicate more time to interacting
and collaboration in a field that is
are making real contributions not only bilaterally but
with students. These new learning
important
around the globe. One Finnish graduate is currently
environments are also expected to
for both
working for a Finnish NGO to advance the position of
create a more positive attitude to-
countries in
disabled people in Africa, and another is part of an am-
wards school work among students.
building a
United States.
bitious international consortium establishing a music
Cloud
materials
allowing
services
and
allows
teachers
offer
excel-
utilized.
such
partnerships.
Teacher
knowledge-
institute in Afghanistan (p. 10-12) – each drawing on
lent opportunities for producers
able and
Fulbright contacts and experiences. Our alumni net-
to promote and disseminate their
successful
work, both in Finland and the United States, is growing
educational material and services,
nation.
increasingly robust and connected, sharing knowledge
perhaps even receive expert re-
and expertise in areas of global concern in order to
views. Moreover, it makes market-
transform ideas into concrete action.
ing easier for entrepreneurs, and
Join us in our exciting work building tomorrow’s Fulbright. Join us for Fulbright Finland…For the Future! (p. 22)
Krista Kiuru Minister of Education and Communications
Terhi Mölsä