The HBFU–Savonia Digital Technology School has opened its doors in Baoding, China, welcoming its first 283 students. The Hebei Finance University teaching team and new facilities are ready, and the two universities’ logos are displayed side by side throughout the school’s premises.

A joint school ready to begin

The school brings together Hebei Finance University and Savonia University of Applied Sciences in three four-year degree programmes. The first cohort will study in an environment that combines HBFU’s local expertise with Savonia’s practice-oriented approach to higher education.

Two floors of a new campus building have been reserved for the joint school and are already busy with students. The partnership has moved from plans and agreements to a school with students, staff and its own place on campus.

Turning an opportunity into a partnership

Chenjie Hao, now Head of Global Sales at Savonia University of Applied Sciences, has led the initiative’s strategic and commercial development since March 2025, bringing these capabilities together to turn the opportunity into a viable partnership and successfully close the deal. Working closely with colleagues and Chinese partners, he helped align academic strengths with local needs and establish a commercially strong, practical model for implementation.

Bringing the HBFU–Savonia school to life also required bold, informed decisions and a willingness to invest time and resources before the outcome was certain. Sustained coordination throughout the application process helped translate the cooperation model into a school ready to welcome students.

An important step in this process was the visit Kari Kokkonen and Özerk Göker, Senior Lecturers of Savonia University of Applied Sciences made in May 2025 during the application phase. Their direct discussions with the partners helped build trust, clarify expectations and strengthen the application. The visit formed part of the continuing cooperation needed to move from an initial opportunity to an approved school and its first student intake.

As Education Export Manager of Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Hannu Poutainen assumed responsibility for implementation planning and coordination of the implementation process.

Savonia represented at the opening

The opening convocation was held in Shuhui Hall. Savonia’s rector welcomed the students and partners in a recorded message, after which Savonia’s Programme Lead and Executive Dean of Joint School Özerk Göker delivered a speech on behalf of Savonia and the Finnish side.

The speeches highlighted Savonia’s approach to learning: students take an active role, learning is connected with practical tasks, and cooperation with companies and working life forms part of the study experience. These principles also provide a foundation for the work with HBFU.

After the opening, the HBFU–Savonia teaching team discussed the academic plan and practical coordination between the two universities. Course content, credits, English course names, schedules and responsibilities need to be clear on both sides from the beginning.

The programme continued with a cooperation meeting in HBFU’s Ronghui Building. Hosted by Zhao Huijuan, Dean of HBFU’s School of International Education, the meeting brought together representatives of Savonia, HBFU and Beijing Shijieboya International Education & Technology to discuss the next practical steps for the school.

A strong start and a shared commitment to the future

The first intake of 283 students gives the school a strong foundation. With an approved annual intake of 300, the school has a planned capacity of 1,200 students across four cohorts. Reaching that scale will depend on attracting new students year after year.

Demographic change and intensifying competition for students mean that today’s success cannot be taken for granted. Continued growth will require both institutions to commit time, resources and expertise. Alongside high-quality teaching and student support, priorities include campaigns, locally relevant digital content, school visits and regular engagement with prospective students and families.

These efforts connect the student experience with future recruitment. Delivering on the school’s educational promise and communicating it clearly will help build trust, strengthen its reputation and attract future cohorts.

For Savonia, the new school demonstrates how academic expertise and strategic partnership development can create lasting international opportunities. In Baoding, that potential is now visible in the classrooms and in the first 283 students beginning their studies. Building on this start will require continued commitment from both partners, to educational quality, to the market and, above all, to the students.

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Author

Özerk Göker, Senior Lecturer and Degree Programmes’ Coordinator, Savonia University of Applied Sciences