Planetary Wellbeing and Sustainability in Finnish Education: A Collaborative Course by Dr. Kristóf Fenyvesi and Prof. Ka Ho Mok at HSUHK, Hong Kong
The course was realized as part of the cooperation between The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK), and Lingnan University, under the academic leadership of Professor Ka Ho Mok, Provost and Vice-President at HSUHK. Prof. Mok's global standing in higher education reform, internationalization, and sustainability policy played a central role in shaping the initiative.
About the Course
Held at Hong Kong’s iconic M+ Museum—Asia’s premier venue for contemporary visual culture—the course provided a dynamic platform for interdisciplinary learning. Participants explored how Finnish educational models centered on ecological responsibility, holistic wellbeing, and transdisciplinary STEAM learning can be contextualized in East Asian university settings.
Course Highlights Included:
- Integration of Finnish pedagogical values such as sustainability, creativity, and collaborative learning
- Student-led research addressing practical challenges in food systems, energy efficiency, and water usage on campus
- Application of generative AI tools to design sustainability strategies grounded in empathy and systems thinking
- Dialogues on how higher education can become a catalyst for societal transformation in the face of planetary challenges
A Visionary Partnership
Professor Ka Ho Mok, a Changjiang Chair Professor and globally recognized scholar of comparative education and social policy, has long championed international cooperation in higher education. His leadership at HSUHK and as Deputy Director of the University of Oxford’s Centre for Global Higher Education continues to foster transformative dialogues across borders. The course led by Dr. Fenyvesi exemplifies this commitment, blending local relevance with global vision.
Strengthening ILE’s Global Networks
This collaboration reinforces the international capacity of the Innovative Learning Environments (ILE) research group. ILE includes researchers, university lecturers, and PhD students primarily from the Faculty of Information Technology and the Finnish Institute for Educational Research. Known for its interdisciplinary focus, the group maintains active partnerships across national and international academic, public, and private sectors.
By contributing to cross-border educational innovation, this initiative aligns with ILE’s mission to promote inclusive, sustainable, and future-oriented learning environments. Dr. Fenyvesi’s work in Hong Kong further strengthens the group's profile as a key actor in global conversations around the future of learning.
Looking Ahead
The experience opened new avenues for research collaboration, student and staff exchanges, and joint initiatives between HSUHK, Lingnan University, and the University of Jyväskylä. ILE is eager to build on this momentum to co-develop pedagogical models that respond to ecological, cultural, and technological challenges in diverse learning environments.
Dr. Fenyvesi also held enriching academic exchanges with Dr. Muk-Yan Wong and Dr. Rainie Ke, strengthening the foundation for future cooperation.
