From right to left: Mr. Hai Le (Managing Director), Ms. Huyen Nguyen (Academic Director), H.E. Mr. Keijo (Norvanto Ambassador of Finland to Vietnam), Mr. Heikki Vartia (Head of Global Partnerships at HEI Schools). Sitting down: Ms. Thu Huynh (CEO). On computer screen: Ms. Karoliina Nygren (Business Unit Director at HEI Schools), Mr. Tuomas Virtanen (Chief Financial Officer at HEI School) during the partnership signing ceremony, May 2022 in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Helsinki International Schools Group (HEI Schools) is delighted to partner with Phu Dang Khoa International Education Co., Ltd. to open the first HEI Schools Learning Center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
HEI Schools are in the field of education export, with a mission to bring high-quality early education to as many children and families around the world as possible. Collectively, Phu Dang Khoa International Education Co., Ltd. has over 20 years of experience in the early childhood education sector and believes that their “..partnership with HEI Schools will offer something unique to Vietnamese parents and children.” said the CEO, Ms. Thu Huynh. The team chose HEI Schools as their partner due to HEI Schools’ emphasis on research-based and play-based pedagogy combined with the common shared values of respect, compassion, contribution, trust and integrity.
The learning center will be operated under the name HEI Schools Saigon Central and will open its doors in May 2023. The kindergarten can host up to 220 children aged 1-6 with the aim to expand to primary classes within the next few years.
"Working with young children is helping them to lay solid groundwork for a successful future. The partnership with HEI Schools will enable us to offer children interesting and future-proof learning experiences. Yet, it is still flexible enough for us to tailor and personalize the learning journeys that benefit the development of the whole child we have envisioned."
says Ms. Huyen Nguyen, Academic Director at HEI Schools Saigon Central.
Mrs. Anna-Maija Kuokkanen, Pedagogical Manager at HEI Schools in Helsinki Finland, will visit Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in April 2023 to train the local teachers at HEI Schools Saigon Central on Finnish Early Childhood Education and how to implement the HEI Schools curriculum. Regular meetings with the local team and frequent training and mentoring periods ensures that the quality of education is always up to par.
HEI Schools Saigon Central is located in Ho Chi Minh City, about 10 mins away from the city center. It is a 6-story building with a Nordic style interior. The school is designed to bring in natural daylight with the touches of natural elements. Despite being in the middle of the city, the rooftop playground allows the children to have outdoor physical activities and gardening.
For updates and further developments, follow HEI Schools Saigon Central on Instagram, Facebook, and on their website.