New Delhi | January 22, 2026

A delegation from the Embassy of Finland, New Delhi, visited the Management Education and Research Institute (MERI) campus on Thursday, January 22, 2026. The visit focused on exploring avenues to strengthen India–Finland cooperation in education, space studies, technology, sustainability, innovation, and human resource development.

The discussions began with an overview of MERI Group of Institutions’ academic vision and its emerging focus areas aligned with global developments. MERI highlighted the growing importance of space as a global domain and outlined India’s evolving role in the international space ecosystem, including initiatives associated with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the proposed Bharat Space Centre. The MERI Department of Space Studies (DSS) emphasised that space-related careers increasingly transcend national boundaries and rely on international collaboration.

MERI DSS also shared details of its initiative to establish a Space Club aimed at engaging students beyond traditional scientific roles and providing early exposure to space-related studies. The department further informed the delegation about its plans to establish a ground station in Delhi, focused on peaceful and developmental applications. Technical discussions covered launch facilities, satellite systems, and downstream applications of space technologies. Both sides acknowledged the relevance of space-based applications in agriculture, telemedicine, human spaceflight survival, and broader societal development.

The meeting underscored the importance of future-oriented skill development through certificate and diploma programmes to be designed in collaboration with international universities. Faculty and student exchange programmes were identified as key instruments for building global competencies. Both sides agreed on the need to design skilled programmes aligned with emerging industries. Discussions also extended to cooperation in pharmaceutical research, particularly in applications related to human health.

The Finnish delegation expressed interest in collaboration across applied sciences, innovation ecosystems, renewable energy, environmental science, waste management, and circular economy models. MERI highlighted the need to learn from Finland’s effective utilisation of human resources and its innovation-driven development approach. The Finnish side shared insights into Finland’s globally recognised expertise in teacher training and education sustainability. Possible collaboration areas discussed included teacher education, early childhood and pre-school education, and the establishment of specialised laboratories in partnership with private sector stakeholders.

MERI also highlighted India’s rapidly growing start-up ecosystem and expressed interest in deeper collaboration with Finland in innovation, applied technologies, and human resource development. The Finnish side acknowledged its strengths in human capital and agreed to explore joint initiatives in these domains.

The Finnish delegation expressed interest in participating in MERI Dialogue 7.0, proposed to be held in November 2026, on the theme “India–Nordic Countries Relations: Challenges & Opportunities.” The dialogue may lead to a joint publication by Indian and Finnish authors. Both sides also agreed to organise joint webinars and roundtables on the space industry and other emerging areas. Collaboration on skilled programmes, renewable energy, and waste management was reaffirmed.

MERI noted that the immediate next step would be to arrange a Zoom meeting between MERI and Finnish counterparts to finalise the operational strategy, draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and conclude agreements based on the discussions. MERI also expressed its interest in having Finland as a partner country for MERI Dialogue 7.0. The Finnish side welcomed continued engagement and agreed to pursue further discussions.