MALAYSIA, FINLAND FORGE STRONGER EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP ON CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND SUSTAINABILITY

From Zufazlin Baharuddin

HELSINKI, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Finland have been strengthening collaboration in the field of education, especially on circular economy, sustainable development and climate solutions, Malaysia’s Chargé d’Affaires ad interim in Helsinki, Al-Fadil Adam, said.

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He said Finland’s expertise in sustainable education models, combined with Malaysia’s reform momentum, provides a strong foundation for future collaborative initiatives in education for sustainable development.

“There is a significant opportunity to build joint programmes around green skills, climate solutions, and circular economy principles, especially within Malaysia’s expanding Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and early childhood education frameworks,” he told the Bernama reporter attending the media programme “Climate Solutions from Finland” here.

He noted that Malaysia is undergoing a significant transformation in its education system by integrating TVET from as early as Year 1 by 2027, and Finland has been identified as a strategic partner in shaping this reform, particularly due to its strengths in applied learning and sustainability-focused education.

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He said Malaysia can learn significantly from the Nordic country’s education system, especially in cultivating awareness of sustainable development and climate solutions from an early age.

“Finland’s success lies in its holistic, student-centred approach, where learning is experiential and integrated across subjects rather than compartmentalised.

“By adopting a similar strategy, Malaysia can embed sustainability into all areas of the curriculum, ensuring that children understand the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic issues from an early stage,” he said.

In addition, Al-Fadil said several recent initiatives have further reinforced the cooperation in education, such as Yayasan Khazanah, which has facilitated a study visit for Malaysian educators to the University of Oulu, where they explored key aspects of the Finnish model, including digital learning, nature-based education, equity and inclusive practices, many of which align closely with sustainability principles.

Similarly, the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) has hosted academic exchanges with Finnish institutions to explore pedagogical improvements that support more resilient and future-ready learning environments, he added.

Besides, Al-Fadil said the education exchanges are also complemented by industry–academia collaboration in the broader context of the green economy.

“Malaysian agencies such as the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) have participated in Finnish-led platforms like Vaasa Energy Week and circular economy business forums in Kuala Lumpur.

“These engagements have opened new avenues for cooperation on renewable energy, smart grid systems, electric mobility, and circular business models,” he added.

-- BERNAMA