Yogyakarta, Indonesia — July 10–11, 2025 SEAMEO QITEP in Mathematics (SEAQiM) hosted the “International Seminar on Mathematics Teaching and Learning Innovation: “Strengthening Numeracy through Joyful and Meaningful Mathematics Learning”, at the Ki Hajar Dewantara Hall, BBGTK Yogyakarta. This flagship event became a celebratory platform for sharing best practices, exchanging innovative teaching strategies, and recognising outstanding educators committed to transforming mathematics education.
The seminar followed an intensive Finalists’ Workshop held from 7–9 July 2025 and concluded with the awarding of the prestigious Sam Ratulangi Awards 2025 to three categories teachers at the primary, junior, and senior high school levels.
The event opened with keynote addresses from leading experts in mathematics education across the region. Prof. Dr. Ariyadi Wijaya from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta. He emphasized the importance of embedding numeracy in meaningful contexts, while Assoc. Prof. Tien-Trung Nguyen from Vietnam National University explored the role of real-world contexts in lesson design. On the second day, Dr. Tan Liang Soon of the Academy of Singapore Teachers delivered insights on adapting mathematics assessments for the age of AI. Each session was followed by a lively and engaging Q&A, highlighting the shared enthusiasm from the entire participants for educational transformation.
The heart of the seminar was the presentation of innovative teaching models by the nine SEA-MTLM finalists, who had demonstrated exceptional creativity and impact in their classrooms. They were the three best Southeast Asia Mathematics Teaching and Learning Models selected from each level. Exsaris Januar (Malaysia), Wilis Putri Hapsari (Indonesia), and Đào Thị Hồng Quyên (Vietnam) for Primary School Level. Jayvee P. Orejola, Jhan Glend S. C. (Philippines), and Arie Wibowo (Indonesia) for Junior High School Level. And Euis Nurdiana, Syakti Perdana S., and Yuli Mulyana (Indonesia) for Senior High School Level. These sessions showcased concrete, replicable strategies to make mathematics more joyful, contextual, and accessible for Southeast Asian learners.
The event’s highlight was the Sam Ratulangi Award Ceremony, where SEAQiM honoured three teachers for their exemplary contributions to mathematics education. Ms. Wilis Putri Hapsari from SD Negeri Bojong Baru, Indonesia, received the Sam Ratulangi Award for Primary School Level for her model titled “The Garden of Numbers: Growing Data, Growing Minds”. Her use of Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) by integrating gardening, observation, and graphing enabled students to learn data literacy naturally through their environment, turning nature into a living classroom.
For the Junior High School Levels, Mr. Jayvee P. Orejola from Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science, Philippines, awarded through his model, “Theoretical Probability Using ICT,” demonstrated how technology enhances student engagement and understanding of abstract concepts. Meanwhile, for Senior High School Levels, Mr. Syakti Perdana Ardiyansah from BINUS SCHOOL Bekasi, Indonesia was the winner through the “Modelling Glacier Retreat Through Differentiation with Google Earth Data,” merging environmental awareness with mathematical modelling, an inspiring example of connecting calculus to real-world global issues. Their achievements reflect the heart of the SEA-MTLM initiative, transforming classrooms into spaces of joy, inquiry, and purposeful learning.
SEAQiM Centre Director, Dr. Sri Wulandari Danoebroto, expressed her heartfelt appreciation to all participants, saying, “This seminar not only honours the spirit of innovation in teaching and learning but also reminds us of the transformative power of joyful learning. Mathematics should be meaningful, and this event is showing us how.”
As SEAQiM continues to lead regional efforts in strengthening numeracy and mathematics learning, the 2025 seminar reinforced the Centre’s unwavering commitment to teacher development, educational excellence, and collaborative growth throughout Southeast Asia.
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