On the morning of May 6, 2025, the Shanghai Study Visit of the Norwegian National Centre for Mathematics Education opened at the UNESCO Teacher Education Centre (TEC). Mr. Bård Vinje, Deputy Director of the Norwegian National Centre for Mathematics Education, along with three other representatives, and Associate Professor Ding Liping from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Education at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) attended the visit. The opening ceremony was chaired by Professor Huang Xingfeng, the project leader. Professor Zhang Minxuan, Director of TEC, attended and delivered a speech. Dr. Shen Yihua, a project expert, and master’s and doctoral students in comparative education and primary education from Shanghai Normal University also participated in the event.
At the meeting, Professor Zhang Minxuan extended a warm welcome to the Norwegian delegation, expressing hope that this event would serve as an opportunity to deepen future cooperation between TEC and the Norwegian National Centre for Mathematics Education in teacher professional development. Mr. Bård Vinje expressed sincere gratitude to TEC and spoke highly of the international influence of Shanghai's mathematics education. He noted that Norway is committed to exploring innovative mathematics education methods and hopes to gain in-depth insights into Shanghai's advanced experiences in mathematics education through this study visit, providing useful references for the reform of mathematics education in Norway.
Following the speeches, Professor Zhang Minxuan delivered a keynote report titled An Introduction to the Research and Practice of the UNESCO Teacher Education Centre (TEC). He detailed TEC’s development, covering six aspects: its establishment process, infrastructure and organizational structure, core members, main tasks and functions, initiatives, and cooperation prospects. He highlighted TEC’s active efforts in teacher education and professional development, and expressed expectations for in-depth cooperation to jointly explore new paths in mathematics education and teacher professional development.
Subsequently, Mr. Bård Vinje and Associate Professor Camilla Normann Justnes from the Norwegian National Centre for Mathematics Education jointly delivered a keynote report titled An Introduction to the Research and Practice of the Norwegian National Centre for Mathematics Education. They elaborated on the centre’s background, main tasks, target groups, and key achievements, and introduced its rich digital resources for teachers and students via video.
In the Q&A session, the two sides engaged in lively interactions on mathematics curriculum design and teacher training systems, sharing practical experiences with each other.
From May 6 to May 9, the Norwegian delegation will visit Shanghai Jincai High School North Campus, Huangpu District Institute of Education, Caoguangbiao Primary School, High School Affiliated to Fudan University, and Shanghai Yangjing Juyuan Experimental School, conducting four consecutive days of immersive mathematics teaching research exchanges and learning.
This study visit has not only built a platform for knowledge and experience sharing but also carries the shared aspirations of educators from both sides, who look forward to jointly writing more new chapters in cooperation on mathematics education and teacher professional development.
