Seminar examines Finnish education philosophy and leadership approaches in Vietnam
As Vietnam seeks to advance education reform, educational leadership has become an increasingly important topic in discussions on system-level improvement and school governance.
These issues were examined at the seminar « Finnish Education Bridge: From Collaboration to Leadership, » recently held in Ho Chi Minh City. The event brought together education experts, school leaders, and managers from Finland and Vietnam to exchange perspectives on leadership, governance, and educational practice.
Finland, widely recognized for its education system and social well-being indicators, is often cited for its student-centered and humanistic approach to schooling. The seminar, organized by the Tan Thoi Dai Education System and the Vietnam-Finland International School (VFIS), gathered Finnish principals, international scholars, Vietnamese education managers, and parents from the southern region.
During a discussion session focused on school leadership, Finnish speakers emphasized that school governance extends beyond administrative management and is closely linked to leadership approaches that encourage autonomy, accountability, and trust.
Finnish education places strong emphasis on professional trust in teachers, with students positioned at the center of learning activities.
Speaking at the seminar, Ossi Hermanni Kokkonen, principal of Karkkila High School, noted that teachers in Finland are given significant autonomy in designing curricula, which contributes to professional responsibility and instructional effectiveness.
According to the speakers, educational leadership is not limited to compliance, inspection, or procedural control. Instead, leaders are expected to create environments in which teachers feel supported, respected, and able to develop professionally.
« At VFIS, the basic educational program needs to achieve five elements, in which student initiative is prioritized to head toward a sustainable life. Additionally, teachers need to integrate various methods and build a learning community to move toward holistic education, » shared Miekk-Oja Suvi Kristiina, principal of VFIS.
Sharing a similar perspective, Dao Thi Thu Thao, Deputy General Director of the Tan Thoi Dai Education System, said that holistic education and sustainability are central objectives of Finnish-inspired models. « At Tan Thoi Dai, we apply Finnish philosophy and methods to all activities, from management and operation to teaching and culture building. This has succeeded with flying colors, first in the progress of our students and subsequently in the recognition from parents, » Thao added.
In addition to leadership and governance, the seminar also addressed the role of technology in education. Prof. Truong Nguyen Thanh from the University of Utah (USA) presented on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching and learning.
According to Prof. Thanh, AI can function as a support tool that helps reduce teachers’ administrative workload, allowing them to devote more time to mentoring and student engagement. He noted that AI can assist with tasks such as lesson planning and assignment design, but emphasized that technology cannot replace the central role of teachers.
« Students can learn from teachers and from AI. But teachers hold the role of directing, verifying, and ensuring that students are on the right track, » Prof. Thanh said. He added that in the context of AI, teachers increasingly serve as facilitators who guide learning processes and support students’ cognitive and personal development. This view aligns with Finland’s emphasis on personalization and learner autonomy.
The seminar also featured exchanges between parents, educators, and Finnish school leaders on the practical application of Finnish education principles in Vietnam. Discussions highlighted several recurring themes, including trust-based governance, human-centered education, school well-being, leadership development, and the creation of sustainable learning environments.
The seminar concluded with a review of collaboration outcomes and future directions. Earlier, on Jan. 16, 2026, at the Embassy of Finland in Hanoi, the Tan Thoi Dai Education System and a delegation of Finnish high school principals signed an agreement to establish an Educators’ Network. The initiative aims to strengthen professional exchanges and cooperation between Vietnamese and Finnish educators, contributing to ongoing dialogue on education development in both countries.
VnExpress.net – January 23, 2026