LUMA Centre Finland and the Royal University of Bhutan signed a Memorandum of Understanding on August 13, 2023. Photograph: Dr Som Gurung (left), professor Maija Aksela (centre) and chair of the board of LUMA Centre Finland, professor Jan Lundell (right).
Collaboration started when director, professor Maija Aksela, was invited to Bhutan in the year of 2023.
Dr Som Gurung from the Royal University of Bhutan says that he is excited about the collaboration. During his visit to Finland he familiarized himself with the Kumpula Campus at the University of Helsinki, Aalto University and the STEM-activities at the University of Turku, according to his wishes. In addition, he participated in the 20th LUMA-days (STEM-days) and the international Science on Stage event in Turku. The event gathered participants from over 50 different countries.
– The new agreement that we have signed between LUMA Centre Finland, and the Royal University of Bhutan, will give novel horizons of learning and teaching and taking STEM-education a step ahead, from the experience that Finland has shared with so many other countries. We are very proud that STEM and its benefits that people and countries around Europe have built, which I can see very much at the Science on Stage festival in Turku.
In Finland, Dr Gurung has learned about the extraordinary initiative from teachers to teachers. It is a remarkable effort for educating young children for the future. Soon, Dr Gurung is looking forward to the exchange of knowledge and strengthening communication, between Finland and Bhutan.
– In the near future, we would like to have a lot of exchange of knowledge between our people, our students and our faculty and we wish that we have several mobility programs between Bhutan and Finland, where our students and faculty can come and go to Finland and learn from Finland. And maybe some faculties, and students from Finland, and get immersed in our values and STEM-education as well as enjoy the beauty of the Himalayas.
Dr Gurung challenges teachers to continuously ask themselves to teach better and to have a heart for the student. To be constantly prepared for the pursuit of sharing knowledge and to be ready for tomorrows citizen.
– How can I prepare my students for tomorrows world? This is in the heart of the teacher. The student is the center point for the teacher.
Professor Maija Aksela from the University of Helsinki highlights the importance of collaboration and learning from each other.
– Together we are more! The teaching in Bhutan involves a lot of things that we can learn from. For example, spiritual happiness, valuing nature and traditions, Aksela mentions.
Teachers as keys to success
The teachers are the keys to success in bringing the STEM-education forward. Dr Gurung mentions the admirable efforts of Finnish teachers and the Science on Stage festival in Turku, Finland.
– Teachers in Finland think their students are a real achievement. But to let your students shine in the future you must have it in your heart.
– Teachers to teachers and the forum that LUMA has organized, what is happening in Europe and outside. It is a great idea. It is not just the students who are coming to learn. But it is the teachers who are creating the learning environment. The students don’t have the fear of going to school but have an excitement to go to school.
Another key thing that Dr. Gurung mentions is trust. Trust and collaboration go hand in hand. Growing in the STEM-field and strengthening cooperation and communication is also on the agenda.
– The most important part of collaboration in is trust. We need to trust each other. And when we have the trust in each party we are already there – counting on our success.
