Education, technology, health focus areas for Pak-Finland ties, says envoy

The Finnish Ambassador to Pakistan, His Excellency Hannu Ripatti, has lauded the growth of Pakistan's higher education sector, emphasizing that Pakistani students are exceptionally talented and possess immense potential to contribute globally.

In a recent meeting with Syed Abidi — renowned educationist, career counsellor, analyst, and journalist associated with the Jang-Geo Group — the two dignitaries discussed bilateral relations, educational collaboration, and Finland’s growing interest in Pakistan’s academic landscape.

During the meeting, Ambassador Ripatti praised Pakistan’s progress in vocational and skilled training, highlighting the growing number of technically trained individuals. He called the collaboration between Turku Vocational Institute and NUTECH a landmark initiative that has helped Pakistani youth access opportunities in Finland.

Ambassador Ripatti also provided an important update for Pakistani students aspiring to study in Finland. Presently, students must travel to Abu Dhabi to apply for their residence permits. However, starting from October 2025, Finland plans to shift the residence permit processing for Pakistani students to Doha, Qatar. This decision comes after recognising the challenges many Pakistani students face in obtaining UAE visas.

The Ambassador expressed optimism that this new arrangement through Doha would make the process easier and more accessible. He added, "Although it’s not in the cards just yet, we hope that in the future, residence permits and student visas could eventually be issued directly from Pakistan. The Government of Finland has been very understanding of the challenges Pakistani students face and has taken steps to address them."

Syed Abidi, who has been a key figure in promoting international education opportunities for Pakistani students for over three decades, emphasised the need to invite Finnish institutions to establish a presence in Pakistan. He underscored the importance of transnational education partnerships and pointed out the existing gap in international academic collaborations, which have traditionally been dominated by the UK and the USA.

"There is a significant opportunity for European countries, especially Finland, to step in and contribute to Pakistan’s higher education and vocational training landscape," Abidi stated. “With Finland’s strengths in research, innovation, and skills development, a more vibrant partnership could be developed to benefit both nations.”

The discussion also touched upon Finland’s global reputation as a research-centric nation, known for its advancements across diverse scientific and technological fields. Syed Abidi highlighted Finland's consistent commitment to international cooperation through platforms such as the annual Pakistan-Finland Business Summit. He appreciated the ambassador's initiative in promoting dialogue between Pakistani and Finnish stakeholders, particularly in the education sector.

“With education taking centre stage at this year’s business summit, it is encouraging to see that several Finnish universities and institutions are exploring collaborative opportunities in Pakistan,” said Abidi. “Given the current dynamics of international education, Finland has the potential to emerge as a key destination for Pakistani students seeking world-class education.”

Speaking about the upcoming Pakistan-Finland Business Summit, Ambassador Ripatti expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "There is increasing interest also from the Finnish side. One of the important things to note is that the economy in Pakistan has improved compared to 2023, which has attracted many Finnish companies. Small and medium-sized organisations from Finland have shown interest, especially in sectors related to commerce and education."

The Pakistan-Finland Business Summit is scheduled to be held on 5 May in Islamabad, 6 May in Lahore, and 7 May in Karachi. Registration details are available on the summit’s official website.

When asked about his message for the upcoming business summit, Ambassador Ripatti advised, “For businesses, I would say: know your business and look for opportunities. For students, my message would be: know yourself and look for opportunities.” He emphasised that Finland offers diverse opportunities for Pakistanis and expressed hope that Pakistan-Finland relations would continue to strengthen in the coming years.

Currently, trade between Pakistan and Finland stands at approximately 150 million euros, and both sides are optimistic that this figure will grow significantly with enhanced cooperation in commerce, education, and research.

The meeting concluded with mutual optimism about the future of Pakistan-Finland educational and economic relations and a shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties in the years ahead.