Haaga-Helia promotes Finnish educational exports at the Dubai World Expo 2020 - "This will open up countless new opportunities"

Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences is participating with Business Finland in the Dubai Expo 2020 world exhibition, which opened its doors in October.

The goal of Finland is to highlight clean technology, the circular economy, sustainable energy solutions, digitalization, education and tourism.

The education market in the Middle East is growing rapidly and there is a strong focus on education and skills development, especially in the United Arab Emirates.

Avnee Garg, the project coordinator for education exports at Haaga-Helia, believes that the Dubai World Expo will open up countless new opportunities for cooperation and education export.

— Dubai Expo 2020 is an excellent platform to showcase Haaga-Helia’s diverse offering and top-quality education, she says.

According to Garg, the interest of the exhibition guests in the Finnish business world and educational exports has exceeded the expectations of the organizers.

The Snow Pavilion, coordinated by Business Finland, has already been visited by more than 140,000 trade fair visitors, which is clearly above the exhibition average.

Local families, entrepreneurs, and business figures, in particular, have shown considerable interest in Haaga-Helia.

— In education exports, it is important to take advantage of all opportunities. Our goal is to make Haaga-Helia more international university, known in the world as a pioneer of Finnish educational exports, she states.

Haaga-Helia has received excellent feedback on the activities of its student guides and the concept of Finland's unique Snow Pavilion. The Finnish pavilion, which is interactive by utilizing artificial intelligence, is said to convey a genuine image not only of Finland but also of Finnish lifestyles.

— You can see from all our activities that our students are well acquainted with the content of the exhibition and our partner companies in our pavilion, Garg says.

The theme of the World Expo is to highlight the achievements of different countries, promote innovations and educate and entertain exhibitors. The Finnish department has a total of 120 Finnish companies.

According to Business Finland, the largest partners include the likes of KONE, Wärtsilä, Fiskars Group, Nokia, Konecranes, Metso Outotec, Fortum, Haaga-Helia, Genelec, Smart Nuclear Energy Solutions, Education Finland and Neles.

— I am so proud to represent Haaga-Helia here, she admits.

The official day of Finland was celebrated at the World's Fair on Sunday, October 31, in connection with which several Finnish-themed celebrations were held.

The Finnish delegation was led by Speaker of Parliament Anu Vehviläinen, and also included Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari.

The Finland Day program included an official ceremony and parade in the central square of the World's Fair, as well as an invited lunch for celebrities. In addition, a separate seminar on the circular economy and a “Party Like A Finn” cocktail event was organized on Finland Day.

Haaga-Helia's alumni and partners in the area were also invited to the venue.

You can read more about Dubai Expo 2020 and Finland Day on Business Finland's website at: https://www.businessfinland.fi/ajankohtaista/uutiset/tiedotteet/2021/suomi-paiva-dubain-maailmannayttelyssa---120-suomalaisyritysta-paraatipaikall