Polar Partners together with KOULU consortium delivering 75 schools to Peru

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Signing seremony

Official English and Finnish media releases by KOULU consortium

Mace and Gleeds lead consortium to deliver Peruvian new schools programme

  • A consortium of companies from the UK and Finland have been selected as Peru’s delivery partner to build 75 new schools to mark Peru’s bicentenary year as part of the Proyecto Especial de Inversión Pública – Escuelas Bicentenario (PEIP-EB)
  • A Government-to-Government (G2G) agreement was signed between Peru and the UK to support the delivery of this programme
  • The consortium, ‘Koulu’, is formed of Mace, Gleeds, Arup, 4global and Finnish companies AFRY, Polar Partners, LMA and ISKU

9.11.2021, the UK Government signed a G2G agreement with the Government of Peru to support the construction of 75 new public schools in Peru. Kate Harrisson, British Ambassador to Peru signed in representation of Department for International Trade and Patricia Alvarado, Executive Director of PEIP-EB signed in representation of Peruvian Government.

The Ambassador of Finland was present in the signing ceremony marking the important participation of Finnish companies in the project. The UK and Finland consortium, led by Mace and Gleeds and including AFRY, Polar Partners, 4global, LMA, ISKU and Arup, has been appointed by the PEIP-EB, a special entity first of its kind in Peru set up by Peru’s Ministry of Education (MINEDU). The G2G enables Technical Assistance that will be provided to PEIP-EB, who is ultimately responsible to deliver this important social programme.

The programme includes the construction of 59 schools in the Metropolitan Lima area and also 16 Emblematic Schools distributed between Puno, Junín, Cajamarca, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Callao, Lima province, Ucayali and Cusco.

The firms will bring British expertise across the project lifecycle and local supply chain knowledge to provide Project Management Office (PMO) services, technical assurance, procurement and knowledge transfer services that will improve capacity and capability across the Peruvian public sector. The British companies will also provide project management services across the construction phase, bringing their global experience to support PEIP in delivering the schools to time, cost and quality.

Drawing on Finland’s track record in delivering one of the world’s highest quality education systems, the Finnish consortium members will bring their pedagogical competence in the knowledge transfer & training process as well as on the design of Peru’s new learning environments as part of the programme.Knowledge transfer is at the heart of the UK and Finland’s approach to the PEIP programme of work, as well as a shared interest in assuring the resilience and sustainability of the projects, helping to improve education outcomes for young people in Peru.

Mace and Gleeds will work together in an unincorporated joint venture known as ‘Koulu’, together with Arup, 4global and Finnish design and education specialists AFRY, Polar Partners, LMA and ISKU. Collaborating with the UK Government and the Government of Finland, the organisations will support the long-term continuation of the relationship on future initiatives with the Government of Peru.

Mace, Gleeds and Arup are currently working with Peru’s Authority for Reconstruction with Changes (ARCC) on a $US 2bn reconstruction programme, rebuilding critical social infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, flood defence and water management systems affected by the impact of El Niño Costero in 2017 in Peru.

Mace and Gleeds are sharing knowledge with local supply chains and the ARCC, leaving a legacy of best practice in project implementation and successful delivery. Mace, Arup and 4global have also delivered the 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games in Lima, establishing a successful partnership with the Government of Peru and the private sector.

Kate Harrisson, British Ambassador to Peru, said: “It is an honour that Peru has chosen the UK government and Koulu consortium as its delivery partner to provide technical assistance in the development of the Bicentennial Schools Special Project. It is a great opportunity to support Peru in the year of its Bicentenary and to continue strengthening our partnership. The project will boost social infrastructure in education – an essential pillar supporting Peru’s development process and investment in its people.”

Mr. Jukka Pietikäinen, Finnish Ambassador in Lima, said: “We are delighted and proud to be part of this project. Finland believes in the importance of international collaboration, and, thus, we wish that this project will strengthen our ties with the Perúvian educational sector. The Finnish companies AFRY, Polar Partners, LMA, and ISKU have solid international experience exporting Finland’s education know-how in designing school infrastructure, modern learning environments, school furniture and training teachers with the best international standards. I rest assured this project will mark a key milestone in Finnish education exports worldwide, especially in Latin America.”

Jason Millett, CEO for Consultancy at Mace, said: “Building on our current work in Peru, we are excited to embark on a new delivery contract to create vital social infrastructure that will improve urban and rural areas in the country. We are committed to build not only sustainable education facilities, but also a legacy for local communities, working with the PEIP to share knowledge and best practice in project management and delivery.”

“I’m delighted that we can continue to transform infrastructure delivery in Peru, following our successful partnership in completing the 2019 Pan American and Parapan Games in Lima as well as our current reconstruction programme with the ARCC where our teams are doing a fantastic work. Placing sustainability and resilience at the heart of the programme, we will deliver distinctive value to the PEIP and Peru.”

Stuart Senior, Supervisory Board, Gleeds, said: “I am delighted that Gleeds has been selected as one of the delivery partners for the Bicentennial Schools programme for Perú. Our previous work in the region means we have a unique perspective on the Perúvian building and infrastructure sector, and our repeat appointment is further evidence of our ability to curate and work collaboratively with a team of experienced partners.

“Through this latest joint venture, to which each partner brings its own unique skillset, we hope to set yet another example of what can be achieved when businesses from across the globe share knowledge and work together to realise a common goal. Not only will we strive to leave a lasting legacy in terms of the buildings we create here, but also to provide the Peruvian Government with a first-class project management office that will pay dividends for generations to come.”

For further press information, please contact:
Mace media line: 020 3824 3600
Email: media@macegroup.com

Polar Partners Ltd
Maria Haapaniemi, CEO
tel. +358 50 3611 510
Email: maria.haapaniemi@polarpartners.fi

-ENDS-

Kaikkien aikojen suurimpia suomalaisen koulutusviennin projekteja: Peruun 75 koulua

Suomalaisyritykset Polar Partners, AFRY, Lahdelma & Mahlamäki arkkitehdit sekä ISKU ovat mukana mittavassa kouluprojektissa Perussa isobritannialaisyritysten Macen, Gleedsin, 4globalin ja Arupin kanssa. Kyseessä on yksi suurimmista yksittäisistä suomalaisen koulutusviennin projekteista laajuudessaan ja valtakunnallisella tasolla, ja se on poikkeuksellisen laaja myös Perun opetusministeriölle. Projektin tavoitteena on kehittää paikallista koulurakentamisen osaamista ja nostaa koulutuksen tasoa Perun julkisissa kouluissa.

Neljän isobritannialaisen ja neljän suomalaisen yrityksen muodostama konsortio nimeltä ”Koulu” valittiin toimittajapartneriksi kokeneiden Macen ja Gleedsin johtamaan hankkeeseen, jossa rakennetaan yhteensä 75 koulurakennusta Peruun. Niistä 59 sijaitsee pääkaupunki Liman suuralueella ja loput 16 eri maakunnissa. Perun opetusministeriön rahoittama projekti on osa maan 200-vuotisen itsenäisyyden kunniaksi osoitettua erityishanketta Proyecto Especial de Inversión Publica – Escuelas bicentenarios (PEIP – EB) eli biennaalikoulut.

Ison-Britannian ja Perun valtioiden välisen hankesopimuksen allekirjoittivat 9.11.2021 Ison-Britannian suurlähettiläs Kate Harrison ja Perun opetusministeriön PEIP-EB projektin johtajan Patricia Alvarado. ”Koulun” sekä Suomen ja Ison-Britannian valtioiden tavoitteena on tukea Perun opetusministeriötä pitkäjänteisesti koulutussektorin kehittämisessä.

Kaikkien kahdeksan yrityksen vahvuudet ja asiantuntemus tukevat toisiaan. Niillä on myös yhteinen tahto parantaa perulaisten nuorten oppimistuloksia sekä toteuttaa koulurakennushanke kestävällä ja vastuullisella tavalla.

”Olemme tyytyväisiä ja ylpeitä osallisuudestamme tähän projektiin. Uskomme kansainvälisen yhteistyön tärkeyteen, ja toivomme tämän projektin vahvistavan yhteistyötämme Perun koulutussektorin kanssa. Mukana olevien suomalaisyritysten koulutusvientiosaaminen on kiistaton. Olen varma, että tästä tulee merkkipaalu suomalaiselle koulutusviennille maailmanlaajuisesti, ja erityisesti latinalaisessa Amerikassa”, kommentoi Suomen suurlähettiläs Jukka Pietikäinen, joka oli läsnä opetusministeriön allekirjoitustilaisuudessa edustamassa Suomen osallistumista projektiin.

”Maailmanluokan referenssi uusille markkinoille”

Suomen opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriön sekä ulkoministeriön linjaamassa Koulutusviennin tiekartassa tavoitteeksi on asetettu koulutusviennin merkittävä kasvattaminen tulevina vuosina. Opetushallituksessa toimiva Education Finland -ohjelma kokoaa koulutusvientiä harjoittavat toimijat yhteen ja keskeisiin verkostoihin. Tähän asti Suomi on usein hävinnyt Yhdysvalloille, Kanadalle ja Isolle-Britannialle referenssien vertailussa.

”Nyt solmittu sopimus tuo toteutuessaan maailmanluokan referenssin myös uusille markkinoille ja luo vahvaa uskoa suomalaiseen koulutusosaamiseen”, iloitsee Education Finland ohjelmajohtaja Jouni Kangasniemi.

”On upeata nähdä, miten suomalainen koulutusvienti menestyy maailmalla. Tämä on hieno esimerkki siitä, miten koulutusvientiyritysten välisellä yhteistyöllä pääsemme mukaan kansainväliseen hankkeeseen. Tästä on hyvä jatkaa eteenpäin”, kommentoi ulkoministeriön koulutussuurlähettiläs Marjaana Sall.

Osaamisen vahvistaminen ja oppimisympäristöjen kehittäminen suomalaisten erityisvahvuus

Suomalaisyritysten vahvuus on paikallisen koulutus- ja koulurakentamisosaamisen vahvistamisessa sekä tehokkaassa tiedonsiirrossa. Yritykset osallistuvat muun muassa rakennettavien koulujen suunnitteluun, maaperän seismisiin analyyseihin sekä Perun opetusministeriön osaamisen kehittämiseen ja koulutusten suunnitteluun. Tarkoituksena on jättää perulaisille perintö parhaista käytänteistä onnistuneen projektin toteutuksesta. Suomalaisyritykset kehittävät myös koulujen oppimisympäristöjä sekä kouluttavat tuhansia opettajia muun muassa moderneista opetusmenetelmistä ja oppimisympäristöistä.

Brittiyrityksillä on puolestaan laaja asiantuntemus useiden infrastruktuurihankkeiden toteuttamisesta Perussa ja vahvaa osaamista globaalien hankkeiden laadukkaasta projektijohtamisesta. He osallistuvat myös vahvasti parantamaan Perun julkisen sektorin kapasiteettia ja valmiuksia toteuttaa vastaavia hankkeita itsenäisesti.

“Saimme koottua Suomesta ja Briteistä hienon yrityskonsortion, jota ilman tämän mittaluokan projekteja ei olisi mahdollista toteuttaa. Olemme hyvin iloisia myös siitä, että saimme paljon tukea Suomen julkisen sektorin asiantuntijoilta.”, sanoo suomalaisten konsortion koordinaattori ja toimitusjohtaja Maria Haapaniemi Polar Partners Oy:stä.

Valtioiden välisen allekirjoitustilaisuuden tallenne

Lisätietoja:
Polar Partners Oy / suomalaisten yrityskonsortio
Maria Haapaniemi, toimitusjohtaja
puh. +35850 3611 510
maria.haapaniemi@polarpartners.fi

Suomen Liman-suurlähetystö
Elisa Ahlsten, neuvonantaja
elisa.ahlsten@formin.fi

-ENDS-


KOULU consortium:

About Mace
Mace is a global company of experts in shaping and making the built environment. It provides development, consulting, construction and operations services for many of the world’s most inspiring building and infrastructure projects and programmes – from Olympic parks and iconic skyscrapers to state-of-the-art data centres, schools, hospitals and homes.

The privately-owned company, headquartered in London, UK, has an annual turnover of £1.8 billion. Over 30 years, its growth has been fuelled by an adventurous spirit and the relentless pursuit of a better way. Today, the company employs over 6,000 people across five global hubs in Europe, Middle East and North Africa, the Americas, Sub Saharan Africa and Asia Pacific. Mace is driven by its purpose to redefine the boundaries of ambition, and its vision of leading the way to a more connected, resilient and sustainable world. www.macegroup.com

About Gleeds
Gleeds is an international property and construction consultancy with over 130 years’ experience in the property and construction industry. With 1900 dedicated staff across six continents and 73 offices, Gleeds prides itself on being a global business that is structured to act and think locally. Working with clients in almost every sector, Gleeds services the entire project lifecycle and categorises its offering into the following core areas: programme and project management, commercial and contract management, property and asset management and advisory. www.gleeds.com

About Polar Partners
Polar Partners Ltd. is a fast-growing educational consultancy known for their high-quality Finnish education-based school concept. Polar Partners team of project managers, pedagogical experts, teacher trainers, learning environment specialists and curriculum designers help clients globally to design, set up, operate and develop their schools.

Polar Partners leads the largest educational consortium of Finland with over 40 partner companies and 2000 experts to ensure the quality and wide range of services in each project. Polar Partners is on a mission to accelerate the world’s transition towards 21st century education – One person, one school and one society at a time.

About AFRY
AFRY is a leading European engineering and design company with a global reach within energy, industry, infrastructure, and information technology. It was formed in 1895 and is one of the biggest Nordic consulting firms with a headcount of 16 000 consultants all over the world. AFRY is the new common brand resulting from the merger in 2019 between Swedish ÅF and Pöyry from Finland. AFRY has been continuously present in Peru for more than 50 years, contributing substantially to the design and development of significant infrastructure projects all over Peru. www.afry.com

About Lahdelma & Mahlamäki architects (LMA)
LMA is an internationally acclaimed architecture office especially known for their public buildings, schools and higher education buildings. With over 30 years of experience and more than 100 prizes won in national and international architecture competitions, LMA is one of the leading Finnish architecture offices. www.lma.fi

About ISKU
Pure materials. High quality. Finnish design. Always responsible. ISKU is a Finnish family-owned business established in 1928. We design and manufacture furniture and offer services and comprehensive interior solutions for learning, working and health care facilities, as well as for all public spaces and leisure time facilities. A leader in Finnish know-how, quality and industrial innovation, ISKU’s goal is to inspire, create experiences of success and provide our customers with high-quality furniture while ensuring responsible production. www.isku.com

About Arup
Dedicated to sustainable development of the built environment, Arup is a collective of over 16,000 designers, advisors and experts working across 140 countries. Founded to be both humane and excellent, we collaborate with our clients and partners, using imagination, advanced technologies, and rigour to shape a better world. www.arup.com

About 4global
4global is an international technology and professional services business that works with governments, cities, and sports bodies to maximise the return on investment in major programmes. In our professional services work within the Americas, we have helped deliver major programmes under the Government to Government agreements between the United Kingdom and Peru and this has given 4global a unique perspective on the intricate nature of programme delivery within this novel governance structure and high profile stakeholders. This experience has allowed 4global to develop an unrivalled strategic advisory capability for Governments, cities and public entities which allows them to offer maximum support to the KOULU programme in the delivery of its stakeholder management and communications scope. www.4global.com