ACC Participating in the 48th SEAMEO Council Conference

On 6-9 May 2015, the 48th Council Conference of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEC 48) was held in Chonburi, Thailand, with more than 200 participations from 18 countries. Among the participants were Education Ministers, high-level education officials from 11 SEAMEO Member States, 8 Associate Members, 3 Affiliate Members, 21 regional centres, representatives from international organizations and development partners. Mr. Tri Purnajaya, Director of Education Culture and Tourism Division (ECTD) of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), Ms. Sun Xuejing, Education Officer, participated in the Conference upon invitation.

At the Conference, the Thai Minister of Education, H.E. Admiral Narong Pipatanasai was elected as the new SEAMEO President (2015-2017). In his speech, he highlighted that this year’s conference, which also marks the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of SEAMEO, was a contribution and commitment of regional leaders in support of the ASEAN Community building process, which would be realized by the end of 2015. Education Ministers discussed the role of SEAMEO in boosting regional cooperation in education, science and culture, and endorsed the SEAMEO Council Conference Statement. The Conference also decided to approve China Education Association for International Exchanges (CEAIE) to join in SEAMEO as the fourth Affiliate Member.

During the Conference, representatives from ACC met with high-level officials from ASEAN countries and international organizations to promote ACC’s work. ACC's participation was very useful to better understand ASEAN's priorities and interests in the field of education. They also held a meeting with the new Director of SEAMEO Secretariat, Dr. Gatot H. Priowirjanto, and several officials from SEAMEO centres. Both sides agreed to renew the MoU between SEAMEO and ACC to continue their collaboration, to co-host activities during the 8th China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week (CAECW), as well as to deepen cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Network and TVET exchanges.