20/07/2024

SEAMEO Center Directors Meeting 2024: Strengthening Regional Collaboration in Education

The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (SEAMEO) Center Directors Meeting (CDM) 2024 took place from July 17 to 18, 2024, at the S31 Sukhumvit Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. This annual event serves as a crucial platform for SEAMEO Centers to discuss strategic directions, share best practices, and enhance collaboration across the region.

*SEAMEO Center Directors and SEAMEO Secretariat Director, Datuk Dr. Habibah Abdul Rahim in SEAMEO CDM 2024 in Bangkok*

Purpose and Significance of CDM Meeting 2024

The SEAMEO CDM 2024 aims to strengthen regional collaboration by bringing together directors and representatives from SEAMEO Centers and affiliated networks. The meeting facilitates the sharing of insights and collaborative strategies to address common educational challenges. Participants reviewed progress on current SEAMEO initiatives and discuss new projects, ensuring alignment with regional educational goals. The meeting highlighted innovative approaches and best practices in education, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and learning.

Participants

The event was led by the SEAMEO Secretariat, with representatives from 26 SEAMEO Centers and Networks across 11 Southeast Asian countries. Associate member countries, including Morocco and Spain, along with affiliate organisations such as the British Council and the University of Tsukuba also attends the event. Long-term partners like EdTech Hub, Michigan State University, Teach for All, UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in Bangkok, and Welcome Trust was also present.

Day 1: July 17, 2024

The morning included parallel sessions, featuring discussions with Teach For All Global Institute, EdTech Hub, and Michigan State University (MSU) and an Inter-Center Collaboration (ICC) Workshop focusing on fostering collaborative projects among SEAMEO Centers.

*Dr. Le Thi My Ha, SEAMEO CELLL director attended SEAMEO CDM 2024 in Bangkok*

The CDM officially started in the afternoon with opening formalities, including remarks by Datuk Dr. Habibah Abdul Rahim, Director of SEAMEO Secretariat, and the introduction of participants. This is followed by presentations and discussions of 46 working papers from SEAMEO Centers, with a significant focus on AI technology development.

*SEAMEO CELLL members during the SEAMEO CDM 2024, next to SEAMEO CED from Laos and SEAMEO Qitep in Language from Indonesia*

Day 2: July 18, 2024

Networking Session

Day two began with a networking session where SEAMEO CELLL meets and discusses potential collaborations with five prominent organisations. These interactions highlight opportunities for partnerships and advancements in educational initiatives within Southeast Asia.

Michigan State University (MSU), established in 1855, is notable for its research center dedicated to lifelong learning. MSU’s Asia Hub connects 27 universities across the continent, promoting research collaboration and development opportunities. SEAMEO CELLL explores potential research partnerships and scholarships for Vietnamese students to study in the United States.

*Mr. Phuoc, Head of research and training department of SEAMEO CELLL during the meeting with Michigan State University*

Teach For All is a global network of organisations dedicated to expanding educational opportunities. The network includes educators from around the world, focusing on improving education systems. The session focuses on collaborative opportunities between SEAMEO CELLL and Teach For All, including initiatives to enhance English language proficiency and contribute to lifelong learning and global integration for Vietnamese students.

*Mr. Phuoc discussed with Mrs Anna Molero from Teach for all*

Kyungwoon University, located in South Korea, offers diverse academic programmes. SEAMEO CELLL disscussed opportunity of academic exchange programs, collaborative research, and potential scholarships for Vietnamese students in various fields, from aeronautical engineering to healthcare.

Mr. Phuoc discussed with Dr Ju-Young Chun Chief Director of Institute of International Affairs and Education and Dr Eun-Jin Lee Managing Director of International Exchange Programmes from Kyungwoon University

Global School Leaders has a network of 13,000 educators across three continents, specializing in training school leaders to enhance their leadership capabilities. SEAMEO CELLL and Global School Leaders discuss the need for leadership training for school administrators in Vietnam.

*Mr. Phuoc discussed with Ms Dewi Susanti Senior Director of Research Global School Leaders*

Labtech International provides innovative online courses featuring practical software for training on various mechanical and technical devices. SEAMEO CELLL explores the potential integration of Labtech’s online training programs into Vietnamese education systems to improve vocational skills and meet evolving job market demands.

The afternoon sessions continued with discussions on pressing issues, presentations from associate member countries and affiliate members, and sharing effective practices from SEAMEO Centers. The event concluded with remarks by Datuk Dr. Habibah Abdul Rahim and a wrap-up video.

*Dr. Habibah Abdul Rahim, director of SEAMEO Secretariat concluded the SEAMEO CDM 2024*

The SEAMEO CDM 2024 not only fostered a collaborative spirit among Southeast Asian nations but also paved the way for significant advancements in Vietnamese education, particularly in lifelong learning. By leveraging international expertise and innovative technologies, Vietnam stands to benefit from enhanced educational strategies, improved student outcomes, and a stronger alignment with global educational standards. This collaborative effort marks a significant step forward in achieving SEAMEO’s mission of promoting equitable and high-quality education in the region.