WHAT IS SEAMEO?
The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO)
The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) is a chartered regional intergovernmental organisation established in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 30, 1965. SEAMEO aims to promote cooperation among Southeast Asian nations and operates in the felds of education, science, and culture to be a force of human fourishing; to maintain justice and the rule of law; and preserve fundamental freedom.
SEAMEO’s highest policy making body is the SEAMEO Council, which is comprised of members from 11 Southeast Asian countries: (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam).
SEAMEO also heads 25 other regional centres and one network, including the SEAMEO Secretariat (SEAMES, located in Bangkok, Thailand).
CENTRE PROFILE
The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for STEM Education
The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for STEM Education (SEAMEO STEM-ED) is a part of SEAMEO’s 26 specialist institutions, established on May 8, 2019, with the goals of pioneering, developing, and strengthening the capacities of Southeast Asian STEM education.
The Centre serves as a regional knowledge centre for education personnel and embodies a strong commitment to elevating regional education standards through research, experiments, education resources development, and policy advocacy.
- Addressing PISA scores and the needs to elevate Science and Mathematics performances.
- Moving towards sustainable development.
- Pioneering skilled workforce to break away from middle-income trap.
The SEAMEO STEM-ED Centre started operation on November 1st, 2019, and began its mission of uplifting the capacity and capabilities of STEM Education in the Southeast Asian region. With the assistance of our widespread networks (e.g., SEAMEO member countries and SEAMEO affiliate countries, public and private institutions), SEAMEO STEM-ED affirms our commitment to advancing STEM education and bettering human livelihood in the region.
STEM-ED Centre’s Definition of STEM Education
STEM education is a teaching and learning approach that emphasises the connections among–or the integration of–knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM education addresses problems faced by communities, as well as larger global issues that require a skilled workforce and knowledgeable citizens (who can apply these skills and knowledge) to develop solutions.
More on STEM education standards here.
Message from SEAMEO STEM-ED Centre Director
Dr Kritsachai Somsaman
Over the past year, SEAMEO STEM-ED has remained committed to its mission of strengthening STEM Education across our region. We have actively engaged with various partners from around the world, recognising the importance of international cooperation in enhancing educational practices and empowering our future generations.
Our centre has been actively involved in diverse research projects and programmes, focusing on innovative approaches to promote STEM learning. Two noteworthy initiatives include the development of computational thinking using coloring books and fostering critical thinking through picture books. These creative methods have proven to be effective in engaging students and igniting their curiosity and making learning a joyful experience.
One of our key priorities has been providing extensive Teacher Professional Development to equip educators with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in STEM Education. We believe that well-trained teachers are catalysts for change and play a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. Furthermore, we have been championing project-based learning in classrooms to encourage students’ active participation and problem-solving abilities. By integrating real-world challenges into the learning process, we aim to foster a generation of young minds who are not only academically competent, but also adept at applying their knowledge in practical scenarios.
In our pursuit of excellence, we have actively collected data on the status of STEM Education in all our member countries. Identifying the gaps and needs within our education systems has enabled us to provide targeted and suitable support to each member country. Additionally, this data has allowed us to generate policy recommendations that can lead to informed decision-making at both national and regional levels.
As we move forward, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering partnerships, sharing knowledge, and developing innovative programmes to enhance STEM Education across Southeast Asia and beyond. Together, we can inspire the next generation of thinkers, problem-solvers, and leaders who will shape a brighter tomorrow.