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KNUE's delegation led by President Professor Wookyu Cha. The meeting was prepared in close collaboration between Dr. Kristóf Fenyvesi from the Innovative Learning Environments (ILE) research group at the JYU and Prof. Mi Yung Hong from KNUE. 

The visit aimed to explore collaboration in innovative teacher education, digital learning environments, and future classroom models, culminating in discussions toward a potential Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the JYU and KNUE. The first contacts between KNUE and JYU have been established based on the long-term cooperation between KNUE's Professor Dr. Seoung-Hey Paik and JYU's Senior Researcher, Dr. Kristof Fenyvesi.

The visit began in Helsinki with discussions at the University of Helsinki’s LUMA Centre Finland, where Director Prof. Jan Lundell presented Finland’s model for integrated STEM education. Dr. Olli-Pekka Malinen informed the visitors about University of Helsinki’s Masters programs and Asian networks. The delegation also explored innovative teacher support initiatives at the Helsinki Education Hub, guided by Niko Lindholm, and toured Aalto University’s experimental learning spaces with the School of Arts, Design and Architecture’s Vice Dean for Education, Prof. Rasmus Vuori and Prof. Emeritus Hannu Salmi.

In Lahti, the Korean delegation visited ISKU Learning Environment Solutions, hosted by CEO Elise Tarvainen, and visited LUT University campus.

Upon arriving in Jyväskylä, crucial institutional meetings followed. Prof. Marja-Leena Laakso (Vice Rector), Prof. Anna-Maija Poikkeus (Dean, Faculty of Education and Psychology), Prof. Päivi Häkkinen (Vice Director, FIER), and Elisa Heimovaara (JYU International Office) met with the Korean team to discuss a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and concrete cooperation models. 

The ILE team—together with Dr. Tiina Mäkelä, Dr. Kati Clements, and Dr. Julie Lindsay—organized a series of immersive events. Members of the Korean delegation included Stacy Hong, CEO and Jessie Im Jae-Eun, representant of Korean Ed-Tech companies, contributed to the discussions on AI-enhanced teacher education and international EdTech innovation.

The visit included:

• A visit to Norssi Secondary School’s XR-enabled Future Classroom Lab
• An AI and education research meetup at Agora, presenting projects from the Innovative Learning Environments Research Group and the Future Classroom Lab Finland.

Further networking occurred during a scenic boat dinner on Lake Päijänne.

The visit also included a meeting at the Niilo Mäki Institute, where CEO Juha-Matti Latvala and research coordinator Dr. Jarkko Hautala introduced AI-assisted tools for inclusive education and learning assessment.

On the final day, the Korean delegation networked with Japanese researchers from Waseda University, including Prof. Yusuke Morita and Dr. Kotomi Shiota, and UNESCO Chair on Digital Platforms for Transforming Economies, Professor Pekka Neittaanmäki.

Throughout the visit, Dr. Fenyvesi and the JYU ILE group and Dr. Hong from KNUE mapped how Finnish models of student-centered learning, innovative learning environments, and Korean examples of technology in learning and AI-supported education can provide globally adaptable and sustainable joint strategies for future education.

The program not only strengthened academic ties but also laid the foundation for joint research projects, exchange programs, and teacher training initiatives between KNUE and JYU.

This dynamic week underscored the value of international partnerships in shaping inclusive, research-driven, and forward-looking educational practices. The ILE group looks forward to deepening cooperation with KNUE in the years to come.

As a hub for inclusive, research-informed, and transdisciplinary learning innovations, the ILE group is proud to foster such strategic international dialogue and welcomes future steps in co-developing transformative educational ecosystems with Korean partners.