Parul University Begins 2nd Edition of Global Perspective Series with Former Finnish PM H.E. Mari Kiviniemi

Parul University, reaffirming its commitment to providing students an opportunity to interact with global thought leaders, hosted the second edition of Global Perspective Series in association with IIMUN, with H.E. Mari Kiviniemi, Former Prime Minister of Finland and former Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD. The session provided students the opportunity to hear directly from leaders in education, governance, global development and the changing role of young people in shaping the future.

H.E. Mari Kiviniemi was a leading voice in European leadership and public policy, serving as the 41st Prime Minister of Finland from 2010-2011 and Finland’s second female Prime Minister. Her career in public service and international policy has been extensive and has included important work in economic development, governance and global cooperation.

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The emphasis of the interaction was on the importance of education as a foundation of national development, with students gaining insights into Finland’s approach to learning, innovation and preparing young people for a rapidly changing world. The session also encouraged students to think beyond the traditional academic learning and to understand the intersection of education, leadership and social responsibility in building resilient and progressive societies.

While addressing the students, H.E. Mari Kiviniemi stated “I have been the lucky one to get my dreams fulfilled but I feel a good education is something that makes it possible for everyone to make it happen.” Further sharing her views on global exchange, she said, “International exposure plays an important role in broadening students’ perspectives and preparing them for a globally connected world. Opportunities to network and engage at this level can be highly valuable for students, especially at a time when geographical and geopolitical boundaries are becoming less restrictive to collaboration. It is important for students to recognise this global leverage and make the most of opportunities that connect them with international leaders, ideas and networks.”

Talking about her views on AI, H.E. Mari Kiviniemi highlighted that, "Schools must teach students reading, writing and at the same time they must include the basics of AI from a very young age. In that way they will be able to understand the guidelines of how much to use AI and also how to do things on their own.” Addressing the students, H.E. Mari Kiviniemi emphasised the importance of developing analytical and critical-thinking abilities, learning through evidence and past experiences, and remaining open to acquiring new knowledge. She encouraged students to make meaningful use of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence and social media, as learning tools while staying agile and quick to adapt to new developments. She highlighted that the ability to continuously learn and respond to a rapidly changing world would remain an important quality for the next generation.

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The session also emphasised the larger vision for the Global Perspective Series, which provides students a direct link to global leaders, policymakers and changemakers. Through such conversations, the initiative seeks to take global perspectives beyond textbooks and into meaningful dialog, allowing students to question, engage and learn directly from individuals who have shaped public life and policy across the world. Previous editions of the series have featured global leaders, including former President of Croatia H.E. Ivo Josipović, former Prime Minister of Slovakia Dr. Iveta Radičová, former President of Mauritius H.E. Ameenah Gurib-Faki and many more prominent leaders.

Sharing his views on the occasion, Dr. Devanshu Patel, President, Parul University said, "Education becomes transformative when it allows young minds to engage with ideas beyond their immediate surroundings. We believe in this and the Global Perspective Series builds on this by bringing renowned global voices into conversation with our students and encouraging them to think with increased curiosity, awareness and responsibility. “We are excited to welcome leaders such as H.E. Mari Kiviniemi whose experiences provide our students with invaluable perspectives on education, leadership and the world they are preparing to shape.”

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Expressing her appreciation for the University and India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, H.E. Mari Kiviniemi said, “I am highly impressed with your University and the level of technology that you use. I am also highly impressed with the entrepreneurship culture of India. This is something we can learn from India. What I can bring to India is our Finnish welfare society model and education system, which is free. So, I think India and Finland could learn from each other.”

The second edition of Global Perspective Series further strengthened the commitment of Parul University toward global exposure, experiential learning and leadership development, providing students a platform to engage with perspectives shaped by different nations, cultures and systems of governance.

Parul University continues to create opportunities for students to engage with influential voices from around the world, and to broaden their understanding of global affairs, leadership and contemporary challenges.

Disclaimer: This article has been published as a part of marketing collaborations between Careers360 and Parul University.