Last month, I had the privilege of spending two inspiring weeks as a visiting lecturer at the Hong Kong Metropolitan University Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education (LiPACE). This visit marked a continuation of our growing partnership, established in May 2021 through a top-up degree agreement in tourism between SAMK and LiPACE. It was my first visit to LiPACE’s campus, though we had already collaborated virtually, most notably during a virtual exchange tour organized in April 2024.
LiPACE is located in the heart of Kowloon Commerce Centre, conveniently connected to the city’s MTR network and surrounded by restaurants and cafés. The convenient location reminded me of SAMK and the growing trend of situating campuses within commercial centres.
What impressed me most at the campus was their innovative approach to applied education and the immersive environments it offers students. The campus houses an impressive variety of simulated learning spaces – everything from a mock hotel equipped with smart technology and aviation training facilities to a crime scene classroom that wouldn’t look out of place in a CSI episode. There are also hospital beds and environments catering to health and social care studies, reflecting the university’s integrated approach to tackling current societal megatrends such as an aging population.
Celebrating diversity: A campus rich in culture and global connections
The cultural richness of the campus was another highlight. LiPACE celebrates national holidays, such as Nepalese New Year or Thai water festival Songkran, to help international students feel at home. Through active collaboration with foreign consulates, LiPACE offers themed classrooms dedicated to various cultures, including Japan, Germany, and Finland. To my surprise and delight, it turned out to be the most Finnish campus I have ever stepped into – including campuses in Finland. Finnish flags line the hallways, Moomin characters are omnipresent, Moomin animations loop on lobby screens, and posters celebrating sisu are proudly displayed. Even the 80th anniversary of the Moomins was well recognized. Finnish culture was embraced not only decoratively but intellectually and socially. It was clear that the idea of Finland has made a lasting impression.
I was invited to deliver lectures on topics such as nature tourism, cross-cultural business management, and tourism policy making. These sessions provided opportunities to showcase Finnish expertise in sustainable tourism and education, as well as to introduce SAMK more broadly. In one particularly memorable lecture, we discussed Finnish sauna culture, which culminated – fitting for the times – with students dancing “Bara bada bastu.” It was a small moment, but a wonderful illustration of how learning and cultural exchange can work together.
Cross-Boundary Collaboration: A Visit to SZIIT in Shenzhen
We also travelled to Shenzhen in mainland China to visit the Shenzhen Institute of Information Technology (SZIIT), with whom LiPACE has a cross-boundary vocational programme. At SZIIT, I was warmly welcomed with a traditional Chinese cultural program followed by lunch with SZIIT colleagues. Discussions included a particularly forward-thinking example of combining early childhood education with elderly care—an interdisciplinary approach that thoughtfully responds to the demographic shifts many societies are facing. These types of learning paths, aligning education with evolving societal needs, represent challenges and opportunities that universities across the globe are addressing.
In Shenzhen, I also had the chance to reconnect with students who had previously participated in our virtual exchange tour. As these soon-to-graduate students were completing their practical training, the lecture on tourism policy making was held in one of the hotel’s banquet halls—an authentic and relevant setting for students pursuing careers in hospitality.
Beyond the classroom: Culture, collaboration, and continuity
Beyond the classroom, I was also invited for a company visit at the Mei Ho House Youth Hostel and Museum, which offered a powerful look into Hong Kong’s public housing history and cultural heritage. The museum made effective use of immersive technology, and its themes were thoughtfully carried over into the interior design of the hostel itself.
My visit also included insightful discussions with LiPACE staff and colleagues on shared megatrends: aging populations, declining birth rates, and the increasing role of AI in higher education. These conversations reinforced our mutual interest in future-focused teaching and the unique dual-model structure of Finnish higher education, where universities of applied sciences play a critical role.
This was my second time in Hong Kong but my first visit to LiPACE. I left deeply impressed by their pedagogical innovation, commitment to internationalization, and above all, their warm and curious students and dedicated staff. I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone I met during the visit. Invitations have been extended to students and staff from both LiPACE and SZIIT to visit Finland, and I truly hope to welcome them to Satakunta in the near future.
Text: Senior Lecturer Heini Korvenkangas
Photos: Heini Korvenkangas
Article photo: Cross-boundary exchange: Group photo with SZIIT students and staff at the Coli Hotel, Shenzhen.