On October 13, 2025, the Zhongqiao Helsinki School of Future Engineering, jointly established by Shanghai Zhongqiao Vocational and Technical University and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (Finland), held its inaugural opening ceremony in Shanghai.
The event brought together distinguished guests including Anu Vuori, Consul General of Consulate General of the Republic of Finland in Shanghai; Olli Suominen, Education Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Finland in China; Kari Hakala, President of the Finnish Chamber of Commerce in China; and Jessica Lian, Chief Financial Officer of Valio (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. From Finland, Metropolia President and CEO Ms. Riitta Konkola and Vice President Mr. Simo Mustila attended with their delegation.
Leaders from the Chinese side included Prof. Gao Deyi, President of the Shanghai Private Education Association ; Mr. Ping Jie, Secretary of the Party Committee Zhongqiao University; Mr. Zhao Bin, Executive Vice President; and other university officials. Together with the first cohort of 95 freshmen, they celebrated the birth of a new chapter in Sino-Finnish educational cooperation.
As the first joint degree institution between a Finnish university of applied sciences and a Chinese higher education institution, the Zhongqiao Helsinki School of Future Engineering represents a milestone in cross-border education.In his address, Mr. Zhao Bin emphasized that the school combines Zhongqiao University’s three decades of vocational education experience with Finland’s world-class applied learning system, creating a “cross-cultural, practice-oriented, and future-focused” model of engineering education.
Ms. Riitta Konkola called the launch “a celebration of our shared belief that education can transcend borders and empower young people to meet the challenges of the future.” She described the school as an innovative platform where knowledge and culture intersect, cultivating engineers with both strong technical skills and global vision.
Mr. Olli Suominen, Education Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Finland in China, reviewed the long-standing friendship between China and Finland and emphasized that education has always been a cornerstone of bilateral relations.
The Vice Mayor of Espoo, Shanghai’s sister city in Finland, also sent a special video message extending warm congratulations on the establishment of the school.
Prof. Gao Deyi highlighted the school as a pioneering example of international cooperation and industry–education integration in Shanghai’s private vocational sector, describing it as a model that “takes international collaboration as the bridge, industry needs as the anchor, and innovation as the helm.”
In the presence of distinguished guests from both China and Finland, as well as all the new students, leaders from both universities jointly unveiled the plaque of the Zhongqiao Helsinki School of Future Engineering, marking the official inauguration of this international cooperative education program.
Following the unveiling, faculty representatives from China and Finland presented the first cohort of students with the school emblem, symbolizing the start of their academic journey and the passing on of the school’s mission and spirit.
Approved by China’s Ministry of Education in May 2025, the Zhongqiao Helsinki School of Future Engineering is a non-independent Sino-foreign cooperative educational institution. In its inaugural year, it offers three forward-looking programs: Food Quality and Safety, Food, Nutrition and Health, and Architectural Engineering (Smart Construction).
Under the cooperation framework, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences delivers one-third of the core courses, introducing advanced Finnish teaching methods and evaluation systems. Courses are bilingually taught in English and Chinese by faculty from both countries, allowing students to access world-class education without leaving China.
Graduates will receive dual degrees from both institutions, enhancing their global employability. Upholding its four guiding principles — cross-cultural integration and technological innovation; industry orientation and collaborative education; future focus and digital empowerment; health and sustainable development — the school aspires to become a benchmark for international vocational education in the years ahead.
