Keuda spurs partnerships with universities through ChiNet Network

Finland has established itself as an international model of progressive and innovative education. In fact, the country's education system consistently ranks among the best in global surveys such as the Global Innovation Index and the World Economic Forum's rankings.

Keuda, one of Finland's premier providers of vocational education and training (VET), reflects this tradition of quality and seeks to share its technical expertise with other institutions worldwide. Its membership in international networks has provided its students learning mobility to acquire various industry skills, competencies and intercultural understanding in a student-exchange set-up. 

Established in 1962, Keuda offers an extensive selection of VET programmes for various industries. It uses pedagogy and non-traditional methodologies to develop the technical expertise that has helped its students win various awards such as the silver medal for cooking and a medallion for excellence in floristry during the EuroSkills 2014. Keuda also coached the bricklaying gold medalist in the WorldSkills Calgary 2009.

For its brewery programme, Keuda uses the Second Life virtual learning platform to provide its students simulated training in the operation of microbreweries. It partnered with local breweries to develop the virtual simulator, which mimics the various phases of brewing. 

"Nowadays, everything is possible," says Hannu Heikkila, managing director. "Students can study anything wherever in the world they are through virtual simulation, and we hope to diversify the application of this technology in other fields."

To broaden its global reach, Keuda has initiated fresh tie-ups with institutions and industry partners on the mainland through the ChiNet Network, a collaboration between schools and the local industry in Finland and China.