The 12th SEAMEO-University of Tsukuba Symposium, held on February 27, 2024, at the esteemed University of Tsukuba in Tokyo, Japan, marked a significant milestone in advancing educational cooperation and innovation in Southeast Asia. With a blend of offline and online participation, the symposium brought together 35 distinguished offline inviting participants and speakers, alongside hundreds of online participants via Webex and YouTube.
The symposium commenced with a momentous opening ceremony presided over by Mr Kojii Kitayama, Director of the International Affairs Division, representing MEXT (the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology), followed by a warm welcome address by Dr. Jun Ikeda, Vice President for Global Affairs at the University of Tsukuba, and remarks by Datuk Dr. Habibah Abdul Rahim, Director of the SEAMEO Secretariat. Dr. Sumardyono, Director of SEAQiM, and Dr. Adi Wijaya, Head of Professional Development Center for Educators of D.I. Yogyakarta Province, also participated in this symposium. The closing session featured heartfelt messages from Datuk Dr. Habibah Abdul Rahim and Prof. Dr. Masami Isoda, Director of CRICED at the University of Tsukuba.
Throughout the symposium, participants engaged in insightful discussions centred on AI in Education and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event featured seven-panel sessions, each comprising three distinguished speakers from SEAMEO units and esteemed partners such as EdTech Hub, UNESCO, IPST, TeachAI, Beijing Normal University, Stanford Institute, University of Chile, and others. These sessions delved into various aspects of leveraging AI technology to enhance educational practices and achieve sustainable development goals.
Additionally, three breakout sessions were explicitly organised for offline participants, focusing on AI integration, High Order Thinking Skills/21st Century Skills, and SDG implementation strategies. Notably, Dr. Sumardyono, Director of SEAQiM, and Dr. Adi Wijaya, Head of BBGP DIY, actively participated in all sessions, underscoring their commitment to staying at the forefront of educational innovation.
The symposium served as a platform for fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and exploring innovative approaches to addressing the evolving challenges in education. With diverse perspectives and expertise, the event underscored the importance of international cooperation in advancing educational excellence and promoting sustainable development in the Southeast Asian region and beyond.
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