An international educational partnership concluded between the Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences in Finland and the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) just produced 32 graduates in Vocational Teacher Education. The graduation ceremony took place at the Business School on 17 February 2017.
The Finnish educational system is generally acknowledged as the best in the world. “The partnership, which was formed in 2014 in Finland, is aimed at exposing our students to the best in the world, thus empowering our graduates to give the highest quality education to our students. We are proud to have partnered with Haaga-Helia,” said Professor Stanley Mukhola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Teaching, Learning and Technology.
Sharing the stage are Prof Stanley Mukhola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Teaching, Learning and Technology and Dr Jari Laukia, Director of the Haaga-Heila School of Vocational Teacher Training during the Vocational Teacher Education graduation ceremony at the Business school. Keynote speaker at the event, Finnish Counsellor, Anna Merrifield, also alluded to the quality of the educational system in Finland. “Our focus in Finland is on equality, quality and innovation, which are the qualities we have imparted on this group of South African graduates as well.”
She added that South Africa needs massive intellectual and financial investment at all levels of education. “Much stronger ties between higher education and industry should be forged for students to receive exceptional training. Our model works so well because we continuously invest our resources into quality. We make sure each and every teacher on every level is skilled, motivated, and qualified to perform an outstanding job.”
Addressing the graduates specifically, she said “You have now received the best education, your time has come to go out into the world and communities and make a difference.”
“Lifelong learning cannot be emphasised enough. One needs to continuously renew one’s competencies to stay ahead in this dynamic world. That’s why innovation and entrepreneurship are so important to find new and interesting ways to instil curiosity in students’ minds,” she added.
Dr Jari Laukia, Director of the Haaga-Heila School of Vocational Teacher Training, who presided over the ceremony, also expressed his delight about the partnership, which is the first of its kind for TUT.
The ceremony concluded with the graduates singing the Finnish and South African national anthems.
Prof Stanley Mukhola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Teaching, Learning and Technology
and Dr Jari Laukia, Director of the Haaga-Heila School of Vocational Teacher Training
pose with the graduates after the ceremony.
For more information on the Tshwane University of Technology please contact Willa de Ruyter on tel: 012 382 5352 or send an email to
deruyterw@tut.ac.za.