14th Anniversary Celebration of SEAMEO QITEP in Mathematics, Science, and Language Commemorated with Grand Events

Jakarta, Indonesia – SEAMEO QITEP in Mathematics, Science, and Language marked its 14th anniversary with grand events. The celebrations began with the highly anticipated International Seminar on Enhancing Literacy-Numeracy Through Digital & STEAM Education in Southeast Asia. The seminar, held on 13 July 2023 in hybrid mode, took place onsite at the Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (MoECRT) building in Jakarta and was broadcasted online via Zoom and YouTube channels.

The seminar attracted an impressive number of participants, with over 500 attendees onsite and joining through the online platforms. The event brought together educators, policymakers, and experts from Southeast Asia to share knowledge and insights on leveraging digital technology and STEAM education to enhance literacy and numeracy skills.

Esteemed invited speakers, including Morita Mamoru from The Japan Foundation, Jakarta; Hasbi Asyadiq, the CEO and Founder of PT Assemblr Teknologi Indonesia; and Prof. Allan White from the University of Western Sydney, Australia, shared their expertise at the seminar. They focused on leveraging digital and STEAM education to enhance literacy and numeracy in Southeast Asia. The participants were thoroughly impressed by their presentations and strongly supported the urgent need for such initiatives.

The keynote speaker for the seminar was Dr Rachmadi Widdiharto, Director of Teacher and Education Personnel for Primary Education of  MoECRT highlighted the importance of the SEAMEO QITEP centres in advancing education and expressed his gratitude for their continuous contributions to the field.

The opening ceremony witnessed the virtual presence of the Deputy Director for the Programme and Development of SEAMEO Secretariat, John Arnold Sasi Siena who congratulated the three SEAMEO QITEP centres on their 14th anniversary. The Deputy Director emphasized these centres’ crucial role in enhancing teacher capacity in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

A significant highlight of the opening ceremony was the symbolic cutting of a cone-shaped tumpeng, representing the auspicious anniversary celebration and the bright future ahead. Dr Praptono, Secretary of the Directorate General of Teacher and Education Personnel, officially declared the event open, expressing high hopes for the continued support of the three QITEP centres in implementing the “Merdeka Belajar” (emancipated learning) program initiated by the MoECRT.

In conjunction with the celebration, the exhibition, held back to back-with the seminar, provided attendees with a unique opportunity to explore interactive workshops, flagship programs, and exciting activities.

The exhibition featured the active participation of esteemed SEAMEO centres, including SEAMEO BIOTROP, SEAMOLEC, RECFON, and the three QITEP centres. BBGP-DIY, BBGP-JABAR, and Padepokan SEAQiS also participated in the event. Each booth at the exhibition offered visitors mini-workshops, flagship program presentations, gifts, interactive quizzes, and engaging activities.

Among the various booths, the one belonging to SEAQiM attracted many visitors due to its diverse offerings. In addition to informative leaflets and bulletins, SEAQiM provided mini-workshops, challenging activities, and hands-on experiences. One particular highlight was the display of 18 selected photos from the Mathematics Photo Contest 2023. These photos, carefully chosen from 400 submissions, showcased the captivating beauty of mathematics in nature through stunning visuals.

Ms Dhiva, one of the visitors, expressed her delight at the SEAQiM booth, stating, “I am happy to visit this booth because I can explore activities like the jumping frog, magic card tricks, and Mondrian. Although they seemed challenging initially, the committee explained them well, and now I can easily understand them. I hope I can apply these concepts to my students.”

SEAQiM presented various hands-on activities to enhance mathematical understanding and engagement. Visitors could participate in activities such as the jumping frog challenge, magic card tricks, Mondrian-inspired geometric art, Hanoi Tower puzzle, and modelling 2D-3D shape cubes. Door prizes and quizzes further added to the excitement and interaction at the booth.

Ms Uki Rahmawati, a member of the SEAQiM team, expressed her satisfaction with the positive response from visitors, stating, “I am happy that all visitors enjoyed their time at our booth. My team and I worked diligently to prepare an engaging and informative experience, and seeing the visitors’ enthusiasm is rewarding.”

The anniversary celebration of SEAMEO QITEP in Mathematics, Science, and Language is a testament to these centres’ dedication and commitment to education development. It is a momentous occasion that brings together experts and stakeholders to collaborate in creating transformative educational experiences for teachers and students across Southeast Asia.

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