MET Institute of Management had the privilege of hosting distinguished international guests from Finland on 27th November 2025, creating a powerful platform for global learning, diplomacy, and cross-cultural engagement.
The day began with an insightful address by Erik af Hällström, Consul General of Finland in India (2022–Present), who spoke about the enduring diplomatic relationship between India and Finland since 1949, strengthened through dialogues, economic partnerships and shared values. Citing examples such as Nokia in India and Mahindra in Finland, he highlighted the growing bilateral cooperation, further reflected in the 30,000 Indians now living in Finland. He also offered meaningful perspectives on Finnish culture — its global recognition as one of the happiest nations, its emphasis on punctuality, and its philosophy of purposeful communication, captured in the powerful message: “Speak only when you have something to say.”
The interaction was followed by an engaging session with Dr. Satu Nätti from Oulu Business School, who marked her first visit to India and MET. She introduced Oulu as the “Silicon Valley of Finland,” shaped by Nokia’s pioneering tech ecosystem and now leading the nation in R&D, innovation, and the Green Transition. She highlighted emerging opportunities in technology, trade, design, tourism, and services, underscoring how Oulu continues to drive sustainability and innovation-led growth. Dr. Nätti also presented the strengths of Oulu Business School — its globally recognised programs grounded in Nordic values, strong industry integration, and involvement in cutting-edge radio technology research, including early work on 6G and 7G. She further shared insights from her research in Resilience Profiling under the FRONT initiative, emphasizing Finland’s steady, reform-driven development model.
Adding a personal and relatable dimension to the day, Dr. Pushpa Rani, doctoral researcher at the University of Oulu, shared her experiences of studying and living in Finland. She spoke about Finland’s equality-driven culture, friendly people, and non-hierarchical workplaces. Drawing from her professional journey in microelectronics, she highlighted Finland’s strong employability landscape for skilled talent. Her anecdotes — from airport experiences to adapting to multicultural environments — offered students an authentic glimpse into Finnish life, encouraging them to explore global opportunities and broaden their horizons.
The series of sessions collectively enriched MET students with profound insights into Finnish culture, education, innovation, diplomacy, and sustainable development — fostering a deeper understanding of global perspectives and international collaboration.
©Mumbai Educational Trust, All rights reserved | Last Modified Date: Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025