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The Secretary for Education, Mr Michael Suen, starts his official visit in Helsinki in Finland today (May 5, Helsinki time).
During the visit to the Ministry of Education, Mr Suen met Special Government Advisor of the Department for Education and Science Policy, Mr Ilkka Turunen; Counselor of Education of the department, Dr Erja Heikkinen, and Secretary General of the Science and Technology Policy Council of Finland, Mr Esko-Olavi Seppala. He was briefed on the general education system and policy of Finland, in particular the reform in higher education.
"Finnish students were high achievers in both PISA 2003 and 2006, and it is a good experience to come and have exchanges with officials responsible for education portfolio to see the success of the Finnish educational system," Mr Suen said.
Further, Mr Suen paid a visit to the Helsinki Culinary School Perho, during which he enjoyed a meal at the training restaurant. The Helsinki Culinary School Perho is the first hotel and restaurant school in Finland to train students to become restaurant cook, waiter/waitress as well as hotel receptionist.
Besides, Mr Suen also visited the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences of the University of Helsinki, where he was told education offered to train up professional teachers for early childhood education, basic education and special education. He had exchanges with students to understand their aspiration to be professional teachers.
Mr Suen ended his visit today by a call on Charge d' affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Finland, Mr Ni Xiaojing.
Ends/Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Issued at HKT 05:17
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