The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education of Thailand has joined forces with ASEAN Plus Three countries to enhance the quality of education at both the basic and higher levels, with the aim of increasing learning opportunities for all citizens.

The 14th ASEAN Plus Three Senior Officials Meeting on Education (14th SOM-ED+3) was held on August 24, 2024, at the Ballroom of Chang Arena Stadium in Buriram Province, Thailand. The meeting brought together senior officials from ASEAN Plus Three member countries, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand. Additionally, representatives from China, the Republic of Korea, and Japan attended, along with observers from Timor-Leste and representatives from the ASEAN Plus Three education partners, making for a total of approximately 90 participants.

The opening ceremony of the 14th ASEAN Plus Three Senior Officials Meeting on Education began at 09:00 AM. Mr. Suthep Kaengsanthia, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education of Thailand and Chairman of the meeting, highlighted the significance of this meeting. He emphasized that the meeting serves as a platform to discuss various issues aligned with the ASEAN Plus Three Education Work Plan for 2018-2025. The focus is on developing education as a crucial foundation for economic, social, and cultural development, as well as fostering cooperation and mutual understanding among ASEAN and ASEAN Plus Three member countries.

The opening ceremony of the 14th ASEAN Plus Three Senior Officials Meeting on Education commenced at 09:00 AM. Mr. Suthep Kaengsanthia, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education of Thailand and Chairman of the meeting, underscored the significance of this gathering. He highlighted that the meeting provides a vital platform for discussing issues aligned with the ASEAN Plus Three Education Work Plan for 2018-2025. The primary focus is on advancing education as a fundamental driver of economic, social, and cultural development, while also strengthening cooperation and fostering mutual understanding among ASEAN and ASEAN Plus Three member countries.

Furthermore, the Permanent Secretary emphasized the profound impact of digital technology on various aspects of life, including work, communication, and education. The rapid advancement of disruptive technologies has compelled ASEAN member countries to swiftly adapt and enhance teaching methods to align with the current demands of the world. This meeting thus underscores the strong commitment and collaborative efforts of all ASEAN Plus Three member countries, united in their mission to enhance educational standards, expand opportunities for ASEAN youth, and advance the future of education.Top of Form

During the meeting, Mr. Ekkaphab Phanthavong, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN, provided an update on the resolutions from the 13th ASEAN Plus Three Meeting on Education held in October 2023. He also reported on the current status of the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2021-2025 and the ASEAN Plus Three Action Plan on Education 2018-2025. Following this, the meeting opened the floor for ASEAN Plus Three to present their reports on the implementation of activities and projects under the ASEAN Plus Three Action Plan on Education as follows:

• Singapore reported on advancement in technical and vocational education achieved under the ASEAN Plus Three framework.
• Thailand updated the meeting on preparations for the 2nd ASEAN Regional Forum on the Future of Education, which is scheduled for October 2024.
• Japan detailed progress in education exchange and cooperation projects within the ASEAN Plus Three framework, including initiatives related to education for sustainable development.
• The People’s Republic of China presented updates on several key initiatives: the ASEAN-China Youth Leaders Scholarship Programme, “Building an Amicable Home Together: Vision and Action on ASEAN-China Education Cooperation and Development 2022-2030” project, the China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week Project, and the ASEAN-China Citizens Exchange Programme 2024.
• The Republic of Korea reported on the progress of the ASEAN Higher Education for Talents initiative, the allocation of scholarships for university lecturers in the Republic of Korea, and the ASEAN Cyber University Project.

Additionally, the SEAMEO Secretariat and the ASEAN University Network provided updates on the progress of activities related to the ASEAN Plus Three Action Plan.

The meeting also reviewed the progress of the Working Group on Student Mobility and Quality Assurance of Higher Education among ASEAN Plus Three countries noting the implementation of the ASEAN Plus Three Joint Guidelines for New Forms of Mobility in Higher Education. Additionally, the meeting jointly considered the draft of the Joint Statement of ASEAN Plus Three Education Ministers, which will be presented for endorsement at the ASEAN Plus Three Education Ministers Meeting scheduled for August 26, 2024.

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