The MoocWise project is a joint initiative between Finnish and Chinese higher education institutions, bringing together educators and PhD students to co-create a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on AI in STEM Education and Well-being. The project exemplifies the goals of the Team Finland Knowledge programme by fostering cross-cultural and interdisciplinary cooperation across continents. It is funded by the Finnish National Agency for Education and forms part of LUMA Centre Finland’s operations.
Building a joint MOOC on shared expertise
Designed as a blended international collaboration, the MOOC development will combine ongoing online work with intensive onsite meetings held in both Finland and China. The Finnish partners include the University of Helsinki (UH) and the University of Turku (UTU), while the Chinese partners are Beijing Normal University (BNU) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). This mirrored structure ensures balanced exchange and shared ownership from the outset.
The MOOC will introduce cutting-edge AI tools for use in STEM and well-being education, with a strong emphasis on cultivating a critical and ethical understanding of their pedagogical potential and limitations. The aim is to support educators in integrating AI into teaching with confidence and creativity – enhancing student agency, critical thinking, equity, and well-being.
Co-creation and research-based design at the heart of the project
A distinctive feature of the project is its co-creation model. PhD students and teacher educators from both countries will develop course materials together, testing and iterating them during onsite sessions. This participatory approach ensures that the MOOC reflects diverse cultural and disciplinary perspectives and is grounded in research-based pedagogies. Course participants will be encouraged to explore AI tools hands-on, while interactive peer activities will support shared reflection and collaborative learning.
The first onsite collaboration will take place in Helsinki and Turku in August 2026, followed by a second intensive working period in Beijing and Shanghai in October 2026. These meetings will enable deep academic exchange, cultural learning, and real-time refinement of course materials with the support of participating students and educators.
Creating sustainable partnerships and future-ready education
By combining Finnish expertise in student‑centered STEM education with Chinese strengths in well‑being‑oriented AI applications, the project builds a powerful synergy. It strengthens sustainable academic partnerships, enhances digital readiness, and expands international learning opportunities. The initiative aligns closely with the goals of the Sino‑Finnish JoLII network, contributing a forward-looking model for global collaboration in higher education.
The MoocWise project is led by Professor László Major from LUMA Centre South-West (read more on the Centre’s website). Collaboration includes LUMAlab Gadolin at the University of Helsinki, coordinated by Professor Maija Aksela (read more on LUMA news), together with deputy coordinator Maikki Roiha, who also serves as MoocWise project coordinator. Professor Jun Wang (BNU), Associate Professor Pengfei Xu (BNU), and Associate Professor Xin Tang (SJTU, UH) play key roles in shaping the course content and supporting research based design. The project team also includes Postdoctoral Researcher Jenny Niu (UH) and JoLII representative Sammy Yang Jing (BNU) whose contributions in pedagogy, curriculum design, and co-creation further strengthen the collaborative effort.
Finland has established a national STEM strategy (Ministry of Education and Culture, 2023), aiming to ensure a sufficient level of science competence and societal understanding to support well-being and sustainable growth. The MoocWise project contributes to these national objectives. The strategy is available on the Ministry’s website.