September 27, 2023 — SEAMEO STEM-ED and its affiliated SEAMEO Centres paid a formal courtesy visit to Thailand's Ministry of Education (MOE). Dr. Kritsachai Somsaman, Director of SEAMEO STEM-ED Centre, and other delegations met with the newly appointed Minister, Police General Permpoon Chidchob, to discuss updates on flagship initiatives. This meeting was held to explore ambitious goals to advance Thai education and presence on the international scene.

Considered the first official meeting among SEAMEO Centres and the current Minister, SEAMEO STEM-ED’s head, Dr. Somsaman, expounded upon the Centre’s goal of pioneering national STEM education, focusing on the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) ─ by equipping both educators and learners with succinct knowledge and skills to thrive in the global competition. Dr. Somsaman also provided examples of flagship programs and courses the Centre initiated together with distinguished international agencies (e.g., UNESCO and Code.org), where they highly emphasize 21st-century skills and critical thinking capabilities.

Other SEAMEO Centres attending this courtesy event include SEAMEO Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts (SEAMEO SPAFA), SEAMEO Regional Institute for Higher Education Development (SEAMEO RIHED), SEAMEO Regional Centre for Sufficiency Economy Philosophy for Sustainability (SEAMEO SEPS), SEAMEO Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO INNOTECH), SEAMEO Regional Centre for Tropical Medicine (TROPMED), and SEAMEO TROPMED Network.