Notable Guests in the Music Education Program at the Faculty of Education and Psychology

In October, the Music Education program welcomed esteemed and anticipated guests, as Professor Edward Lebaka from the University of Zululand, along with Professors Mariko Kanemitsu and Yuki Ito from Yokohama National University (YNU), visited the Faculty of Education and Psychology.

These visits were part of a two-year international collaboration project aimed at promoting intercultural learning and research in the field of music education. The project has been funded by the Faculty of Education and Psychology, the Ministry of Education and Culture’s SAFINET initiative, and the Scandinavia-Japan Sasakawa Foundation.

The fruits of this collaboration have been evident through teacher and researcher exchanges. Visits in both directions have provided a unique opportunity to compare educational systems across countries and to share pedagogical practices in music teaching. “We learn a great deal about different ways of engaging with and learning music, and at the same time realize how much there is in common across cultures,” notes University Lecturer Katja Sutela from the University of Oulu’s Music Education program.

A key component of this collaboration has been a research-oriented perspective, particularly focused on curriculum comparison. “Music serves as a strong bridge that helps individuals grow, both as individuals and as members of a community,” comments University Teacher Jussi Jaako in Music Education. The visits support ongoing research and open doors to new pedagogical innovations through technological applications.

During their visit, the guests participated in joint lectures and workshops, where they discussed new approaches to music education. This international collaboration stands as a strong example of how global connections can enrich local teaching and research.

(Photos: Jussi Jaako)