News
22.04.2025
University of Helsinki HY+ jointly with University of Eastern Finland and University of Turku, all members of the Education Finland programme, will launch a new three-year teacher development project in Saudi Arabia starting in April 2025. The initiative, in collaboration with the National Institute for Educational Professional Development (NIEPD) and Tatweer for Educational Services (Talemia), supports the implementation of the new nationwide strategy for the teachers’ professional development (TPD) in the public-school sector. This optimization of the education system is a part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
The comprehensive project ensures system-level development across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, working from the individual school level to a nation-wide scale. The focused key areas are STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math), early childhood education, special education (including gifted and talented students) and reading. The in-service training covers education from early childhood education to secondary level.
The project begins with a comprehensive baseline and benchmark study to guide the development of nationwide in-service framework and training modules. A two-tier trainer model will be implemented through local Super Master Trainers and Master Trainers who will receive hybrid training and ongoing mentoring from Finnish experts, enabling them to deliver and scale high-quality teacher training across the country reaching 200 000 teachers. A learning school model will also be tested in project schools, with a plan for national scale-up.
Quality assurance and continuous improvement are embedded into all phases of the project, supported by an academic advisory board and a robust monitoring and evaluation system. The project is grounded in a shared commitment to inclusive, high-quality education. Drawing on Finland’s strengths in student-centered pedagogy, the aim is to support Saudi teachers in creating learning environments that benefit all students. The approach is based on mutual learning, understanding of the local context, and a long-term vision for positive educational development.
- This project represents a deep and strategic partnership with our Saudi counterparts and showcases strong cooperation within Finnish universities, rooted in mutual learning and sustainable impact,” says Kimmo Kärpijoki, CEO of HY+.
-We are honored to contribute to the ambitious goals of Vision 2030 by supporting teacher professional development and educational excellence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- This is a unique opportunity to co-create long-term improvements in teacher education with our Saudi partners. At its heart, the project is about empowering teachers to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and communities through inclusive, high-quality education, says Minna Saadé, Project Director at HY+.
Contact person:
Kimmo Kärpijoki
CEO, University of Helsinki HY+
tel. +358 50 311 6611
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