School tour: Secretary for Education Michael Suen visits a comprehensive school in Finland which provides basic education for students aged seven to 15.

Secretary for Education Michael Suen says Hong Kong will continue to nurture its younger generation, equipping them with broad-based knowledge, high adaptability skills, independent thinking ability and creativity to face the changing world.

Speaking at a reception in Helsinki on Tuesday, Mr Suen said the Government is working hard to expand and upgrade our homegrown talent through education and retraining to maintain Hong Kong's status as an international city in Asia.

"To help our students meet the challenges in a rapidly changing world, we are equipping them with the ability for life-long learning through a comprehensive education reform programme," he said. He also encouraged more overseas people to come to the city.

During his visit in Helsinki, Mr Suen met State Secretary of the Minister of Education & Science Helja Misukka to learn about the country's university reform and its effort to internationalise its universities.

Mr Suen visited the EVTEK University of Applied Science, the Academy of Finland, and a comprehensive school which provided basic education for students aged seven to 15. He also visited a training school for teachers in the University of Helsinki.

During his meeting with State Secretary of the Ministry of Employment & the Economy Mikko Alkio, Mr Suen was briefed on the ministry's funding policy and initiatives on innovation strategies and research.