30.10.2023 – Finnish Education Expo Middle East by Education Finland
Unlocking the Secret: Implementing Finnish Education Practices Globally
During GESS Dubai Leaders in Education Conference at Dubai World Trade Centre, Za’abeel Halls 4-6
Finnish Foundations, Global Collaborations: A Dialogue in Education
The third Finnish Education Expo Middle East is set to take place this year at the Dubai World Trade Center during GESS Dubai.
We remain committed to exploring the integration of the Finnish experience within local contexts. Topics to be discussed include lifelong learning and its role in fostering essential life skills, the significance of professional development for early years educators, constructing regional testbeds for co-creating educational innovations, and showcasing real-life implementations.
This event is exclusively curated for educational leaders and decision-makers, offering a dedicated space to connect, share ideas, and expand their knowledge.
Date: Monday, October 30, 2023
Time: 15:15 – 18:00
Location: Leaders in Education Conference room at GESS Dubai, Dubai World Trade Centre in the Za’abeel Halls
Complimentary GESS Pass Registration here
Hosted by:
In Collaboration with:
Program
15:15 – 15:20
Greetings From the Embassy of Finland in Abu Dhabi
H.E. Tuula Yrjölä | Ambassador-designate
15:20 – 15:30
Fundamental Skills for Human Survival
Leisa Grace Wilson | Editorial Director – Teach Middle East Mag & schoolfinder.ae
15:30 – 16:00
Essentials for Life: The Journey of Continuous Learning
This fireside discussion explores the concept of lifelong learning and the role it plays in developing essential life skills. It delves into how embracing a growth mindset and a commitment to continuous learning can lead to personal and professional success in an evolving world.
Moderator:
Katia Al-Kaisi | CEO Education House Finland
Speakers:
H.E. Hanan Al Mahmoud | Vice Chairperson | Sharjah Women’s Sports | | Member of Board of Trustees of Rubu’ Qarn
Jaakko Skantsi | Program Director | Education Finland / EDUFI
16:00 – 16:20
Nurturing Excellence in Early Childhood Education: Leveraging Professional Development from Research and Gaining Insight from Success
Dr. Hunada Kanbar | Chief Learning Officer | Sharjah Education Academy
16:20 – 16:50
It’s all about the How: Practical Approaches and Lessons
This panel discussion focuses on the practical aspects of Finnish education. It provides actionable insights and valuable lessons from the Finnish education system to help us understand the ‘how’ of Finnish education success.
Moderator:
Jaakko Skantsi | Program Director | Education Finland / EDUFI
Speakers:
Sanna Nummela | Service Director | EduCluster Finland
Mari Kyyhkynen | Sales Director | Otava Publishing Company/Otava Learning
Tom Asbill | Educational Growth Manager| CCE Finland
Feiya Long | CEO | Moi Panda
16:50 – 17:20
Case Studies of Implementing Finnish Approaches in the Region
Developing and Implementing Finnish Education in the GCC – A Case from Qatar
Renja-Kaisa Martikainen | Administrative Vice Principal | Qatar-Finland International School
Implementing a Finnish Coding Curriculum – A Case from UAE
Dr. Kenneth Imperato | Chief Academic Officer / Senior Policy Advisor | Paramount Education
17:20 – 17:50
Building an Education Innovation Ecosystem
This session explores the essential learnings and practical components critical to cultivating an innovation ecosystem in education. Beyond just accelerators, we’ll uncover what it takes to accelerate the development and ensure the enduring implementation of educational innovations.
Moderator:
Victoria Ivanova | Senior Advisor | Business Finland
Speakers:
H.E. Amna Fikri | UAE Non-Resident Ambassador to Finland
Antti Korhonen | CEO | xEdu
Kaisu Pallaskallio | CEO | Code School Finland, | COB | EdTech Finland
Speakers
H.E. Tuula Yrjölä
Ambassador-Designate | Embassy of Finland in Abu Dhabi
A distinguished diplomat whose career spans over 30 years both in the service of the Finnish Foreign Ministry, and at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe OSCE.
H.E. Hanan Al Mahmoud
Vice Chairperson | Sharjah Women’s Sports | Member of Board of Trustees of Rubu’ Qarn
Hanan Al Mahmoud, an Emirati citizen, is the Vice Chairperson of Sharjah Women Sports. She is also a member of the UAE National Olympic Committee, and is the Vice Chairperson of the Higher Committee of the Arab Women Sports Tournament 2024.
H.E. Amna Fikri
UAE Non-Resident Ambassador to Finland
Responsible for advancing the bilateral relationship between the UAE Finland across all political, security, economic and trade, and cultural fields.
Jaakko Skantsi
Program Director | Education Finland / EDUFI
Mr. Skantsi is a seasoned expert in Finnish education, consultation, and international collaboration, spanning from Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) to higher education in both the public and private sectors.
Katia Al-Kaisi
CEO & Founder – Education House Finland
Passionate about future skills and believe in order to prepare generation Alpha for the future, then having a heart and life skills is what matters.Katia has over 20 years of leadership, strategy, and business development experience in the Education.
Dr. Hunada Kanbar
Chief Learning Officer | Sharjah Education Academy
Dr. Hunada Kanbar holds a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Sharjah. She is currently serving as the founding Chief Learning Officer and Assistant Professor for Sharjah Education Academy.
Antti Korhonen
CEO & Co-Founder | xEdu
Antti Korhonen has been leading Europe’s leading edtech business accelerator since its inception in 2016 in Finland, and now also in Italy. He has helped almost 100 edtech startups to scale up. Learning solutions by companies he has accelerated are used by tens of millions of learners.
Sanna Nummela
Service Director | EduCluster Finland
Sanna Nummela MSc. (Business Economics) is Service Director at EduCluster Finland, University of Jyväskylä Group, specializing in curricula processes and models and professional development programs in vocational sector.
Kaisu Pallaskallio
CEO | Code School Finland, COB | EdTech Finland
Founder & CEO, Code School Finland Chairperson of the Board, Ed-Tech Finland Association Computer scientist, a mother, education entrepreneur. The visionary and driver behind Code School Finland’s growth into a leading global coding education provider.
Mari Kyyhkynen
Sales Director | Otava Publishing Company / Otava Learning
Mari Kyyhkynen has been working in different positions in publishing industry since 2000. She has also a strong background as a foreign language teacher.
Leisa Grace Wilson
Editorial Director - Teach Middle East Mag & schoolfinder.ae
With over 20 years of experience in education, Leisa Grace passionate about sharing best practices, insights, and innovations that help educators and students thrive in a dynamic and diverse region.
Renja-Kaisa Martikainen
Administrative Vice Principal | Qatar-Finland International School
Ms. Renja-Kaisa Martikainen has accumulated 16 years of experience in the field of education. In Finland, she worked in various capacities, including KG teacher, class teacher, and vice principal. Her expertise lies in primary education, multicultural education, music education, and physical education.
Dr. Kenneth Imperato
Chief Academic Officer / Senior Policy Advisor | Paramount Education
Dr. Ken is an independent consultant/trainer in the fields of education and the behavioral sciences. He is contracted by Paramount Education (Dubai) as Chief Academic Officer for quality assurance across its three active schools and academic advisor to the founding of three more schools under development.
Tom Asbill
Educational Growth Manager | CCE Finland
Tom Asbill is a Business Developer with over 25 years of experience in the education sector. He has degrees in both business and education. Tom is an educator and teacher trainer with experience at all educational levels.
Victoria Ivanova
Senior Advisor | Business Finland
Over 25 years of experience working for Finnish private and public sectors. She is a highly experienced business development leader and strategist. In her position at Business Finland, Victoria leads export promotion activities in the Gulf area, supports Finnish ecosystems in their internalization efforts and develops high-level international cooperation opportunities. She mentors start-ups and is an active member of the Nordic business community.
Feiya Long
CEO | Moi Panda
Business manager, tech startup founder, and mother of a boy and a girl, Feiya is committed to helping children seize the initiative in becoming global digital citizens. After over 10 years of working at Fortune 500 companies, listed companies and in the public sector, she is enjoying her new role as a female tech founder applying technology ethically to make the world a better place for our next generation. She is a visionary with her head in the clouds and feet on the ground.
Finland Pavilion at GESS Dubai
At GESS Dubai, the Finnish pavilion unveils “Finnish Foundations, Global Collaborations: A Dialogue in Education.” Bridging Finland’s educational expertise with global demands, visitors can connect with experts and companies spanning areas like policy advice, strategic foresight, publisher insights, coding curriculums, and teacher training. This pavilion emphasizes the flexibility and relevance of Finnish education methods in varied contexts. Beyond an exhibition, it’s a meeting space highlighting educational collaboration. Explore, engage, and envision the future of education.
Partners
Past Finnish Education Expos in Dubai
