Director’s Message
Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Technical Education Development (SEAMEO TED) is a regional center supporting and identifying issues and challenges in technical education at secondary education level. With a strong financial support as a contribution for the region from the royal government of Cambodia, and technical support from the SEAMEO secretariat located in Bangkok, Thailand, SEAMEO TED has made it possible for technical education teachers, technical and vocational high school management, and supporting administrators to be raised technically and academically in terms of public relations and partnership, research and development, and technical education and training
This report highlights momentum of success and achievements of SEAMEO TED for fiscal year 2019/2020. A new trend transforms education from the traditional stream, called general education, to technical education stream to cater for school-to-work approach. To be productive right after, technical education at secondary education level plagues the region in a recent decade. This trend was originated from Germany,that has been implemented successfully as a dual system for secondary education level. This successful system was spread out to Japan, South Korea, China, etc. to meet the labor market needs.
Nowadays we live in a new era of Industry 4.0 enabling people to catch up with technology in order to survive and transform our daily lives. For example, internet of things, artificial intelligent, big data, industrial robotics, digital technology, 3D printing, and bio-chemical innovation are the things that people have to be aware of in terms of manufacturing and massive production. Most things will be done remotely to save time and workforce. In this regard, technical education plays an integral part in supporting people in up-skilling and communicating with robots. Technical education can make some jobs disappear and some other jobs emerge resulted from Industry 5.0. The connection between human and machine is so highly technological advancement.
I hope that the progress of SEAMEO TED can contribute to the advancement and betterment of technology, particularly for students. Finally, the school-to-work system for technical education will be plagued the region transforming youth to become a productive citizen at all costs.
| Director’s CV | |
|---|---|
| Songheang Ai, Ph.D | |
| Contact: (+855) 12-527-117 E-mail: song.heang@yahoo.com website: www.seameoted.org Resource Building #201, Preah Norodom Blvd, Sangkat Boeung Kengkang I, Khan Boeung Kengkang, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. | |
| Personal Data | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Khmer |
| Date of Birth | August 25, 1977 |
| Place of Birth | Kandal Province, Cambodia |
| Sex | Male |
| Height | 163 cm |
| Weight | 71 Kg |
| Academic Background | |
|---|---|
| February 2020-Present | Ph.D. in Human Resource Development (HRD) at Korea University of Technology and Education (KOREATECH),Cheonan City, South Korea |
| Oct. 1-18, 2015 | Diploma in Technical Education and Training in Japan Supported by JICA, Japan |
| Feb. 2014 – Jul. 2015 | Master’s Degree in Human Resource Development (HRD) and Management of Technology from Korea University of Technology and Education, Cheonan City, South Korea |
| Oct. 2013 – Nov. 2013 | Diploma in Development of Technical Education to Meet the Global Need from National Institute of Technical Teacher Training and Research, Chennai City, India |
| Aug. 2012 – Apr. 2013 | Certificate of A Capacity Building Program in Curriculum and Materials Development for Teaching English in Secondary Schools in Cambodia from South East Asian Minister of Education Organization-Regional Language Center (SEAMEORELC), Singapore |
| Oct. 1997 – Jul. 2001 | Bachelor’s Degree of Arts in Geography from Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
| Dec. 2001 – Sep. 2002 | Diploma in Pedagogical Methodology specialized in Geography, upper secondary school teacher, National Institute of Education, Cambodia |
| Nov. 1998 – Apr. 1999 | High diploma in Journalism and Computer Training, Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
| Jun. – Jul. 1998 | Diploma in Elections Reporting, Cambodia Communication Institute, Cambodia |
| Work Experiences | |
|---|---|
| 2021-Present | Alternate SOCA leader for Cambodia, ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Pillar: Coordinating and chairing some ASEAN senior-official meetings |
| March-August 2023 | Adjunct Professor at National Institute of Education (NIE) lecturing doctoral courses on “the Management of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)” |
| March 2020-Present | Director, South East Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Center for Technical Education Development (SEAMEO TED), Regional Office in Cambodia |
| September-November 2023 | Adjunct professor at National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Lecturing subject “Human Resource Management (HRM)” |
| November 2019-February 2020 | Adjunct professor at National Meanchey University, Banteay Mean Chey Province, Cambodia. Lecturing subject “Educational Psychology” |
| Sep. 2018-May 2019 | Lead developer of agro-industry processing curriculum at upper secondary level in Cambodia, funded by Czech Development Agency to MoEYS |
| December 2018-2024 | Lead officer in charge of organizational review and strategic plan development for National Institute of Education funded by ADB project |
| Jun. 2017-Jun. 2019 | Coordinator and interpreter for the project on Capacity Building for Developing the In-Service Teacher Training Program, funded by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports (MoEYS) |
| Feb. 2016-2019 | Part-time administrative and coordinating officer at Technology Transfer Institute (TTI), Korea University of Technology and Education (KOREATECH) in charge of building international networks of KOICA-funded project implementation in Technical and Vocational Education, and Training (TVET) field for developing countries |
| August 2018-March 2020 | Deputy Director for Department of Vocational Orientation, Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports in charge of research and TVET curriculum development |
| 2015-2018 | Deputy Chief of Bureau for Vocational Training, Department of Vocational Orientation, Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports in charge of training and development |
| Feb. 2014-Oct. 2015 | Coordinator for the project on Developing Technical Education at Upper Secondary Level in Cambodia, Funded by KOICA to MoEYS. Translating English textbooks of Mechanics, Electricity, Electronics, Agriculture, and Accounting and Management of grade 10, 11, and 12 into Khmer versions for general and technical high schools for Cambodia |
| Sep. 2010 – 2015 | Technical officer at the Department of Vocational Orientation, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), Cambodia |
| Oct. 2002 – Sep. 2010 | Teacher of Geography, History, and English Language at Cambodia-Japan Friendship High School, Prey Veng Province, Cambodia |
| Sep. 2006 – Jul 2011 | Teacher of Social Studies, and Civic and Health Education from grade 7 to 12 at ELT Elementary and Secondary School, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The instructional medium is English. (Part-time job) |
| Sep. 2006 – Jul 2014 | Earth science teacher in grade 12 at Pannhasastra International School, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The instructional medium is English. (Part-time job) |
| May. 2008 – Feb. 2009 | Junior expert for ECOSORN project funded by European Union (EU). The project encompassed the development of teaching aid documentaries from grade 7 to 10 at the Department of Curriculum Development, Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport, Cambodia. The textbooks were about Agricultural Land Use Safeguards. (Contingent Worker) |
| Research Articles/Papers | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ai, S., Lim, S-Y., & Kim, Y-H. (2019). A qualitative study on the competence of Cambodian migrant workers: A narrative study on Cambodian migrant workers’ competency acquisition in Korea. The Journal of Vocational Education Research, 38(1), 65-96 |
| 2 | Ai, S. (2015). A comparative study on the TVET curriculum at upper secondary level in Cambodia with other 4 Asian countries. Academia.edu |
| 3 | Ai, S. (2019). Graduate’ teamwork skills boil over in Cambodia. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Multidisciplinary Academic Research. Bali, Indonesia. Access: https://apiar.org.au/conference-paper/graduates-teamwork-skillsboil-over-in-cambodia/ |
| 4 | Rath, S., Ai, S., Taing, S., Un, V., & Arponen, J. (2017). Pilot project underway in 4 schools: Plans to make career education compulsory; pre-service for teachers; and focus on student skills development and reducing dropout rates. In Proceedings of the 8th ICCDPP International Symposium 2017. Seoul, South Korea. |
| 5 | Ai., S. (2018). Cambodia education system 2018 [Web blog in Korean language]. Available at http://www.kice.re.kr/boardCnts/view.do?boardID=1500205&boardSeq=5030896&lev=0&m=030207&searchType=S&statusYN=W&page=2&s=kice#contents |
| 6 | Ai, S. (2014). My experiences in India (1st place paper competition award). In Proceedings of Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Program (ITEC) Paper Competition Forum. Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
| 7 | Ai, S. (2013). Trend in technical education in Cambodia. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Technical Education Development. Coimbatore City, Tamil Nadu State, Republic of India. |
| 8 | Ai, S., & Tim, V. (2021). Assessing the quality of distance learning delivery for technical education students during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in general and technical high schools in Cambodia. Journal of Southeast Asian Education, 1(1), 161-176 |
| 9 | Ai, S. (2022). Assessing the curriculum implementation effectiveness at general and technical high schools in Cambodia. Paper presented at SEAMEO-University of Tsukuba Symposium (Online) for Panel 3: Pre-Service Teacher Education and InService Teacher Training: Response to COVID-19 for TVET and Higher Education on February 10-12, 2022. |
| 10 | Ai, S. (2019). Exploring the competency components for technical and vocational education teachers in Cambodia through a qualitative approach [Ph.D Dissertation]. Retrieved from https://seameoted.org/resource/ |
| 11 | Ai, S., Tim, V., & Voeun, R. (2023). ICT skills needs assessment for technical education teacher in the 11 SEAMEO member countries. TVET @Asia, 20, 1-18. |
| 12 | Ai, S. (2023). Exploring effective classroom climate factors for technical education in the 11 SEAMEO member countries. 4 Paper presented at SEAMEO Center Policy Research Network Conference in Penang, Malaysia on March 6-9, 2023 |
| Books/Book Chapters | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ai, S., et al,. (2008). Agricultural land use safeguards for grade 7 [Khmer Language]. Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports |
| 2 | Ai, S., et al,. (2008). Agricultural land use safeguards for grade 8 [Khmer Language]. Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports |
| 3 | Ai, S., et al,. (2008). Agricultural land use safeguards for grade 9 [Khmer Language]. Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports |
| 4 | Ai, S., et al,. (2008). Agricultural land use safeguards for grade 10 [Khmer Language]. Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports |
| 5 | Ai, S., & So, C. B. (2013). Masonry processing for secondary school students [Khmer Language]. Phnom Penh, Cambodia: World Education |
| Consultancy Work | |
|---|---|
| 1 | National Employment Service Specialist Developing a “Manual on Employment Services for TVET Institutes in Cambodia” as an intermittent work for 20 days from 15th September 2021 to 15th February 2022 under the sponsorship of International Labor Organization (ILO) |
| 2 | Lead Consultant to develop a research study titled “Exploring Effective School-Based Management Factors at General and Technical High Schools in Cambodia” funded financially by the Australian Government from May to December 2022. |
| 3 | Other projects funded by partners as a ghost author |
| Honorable Attainments | |
|---|---|
| July 2023-Jan 2024 | National Employment Service Specialist Developing a “Manual on Employment Services for TVET Institutes in Cambodia” as an intermittent work for 20 days from 15th September 2021 to 15th February 2022 under the sponsorship of International Labor Organization (ILO) |
| September 2022 | Academic Board Member of East Asia University of Management (EAMU) |
| 31 May 2022 | Guest Speaker at the Workshop on “Cambodia’s Contribution to ASEAN Since Its Inception in 1999” for ASEAN SocioCultural Community Pillar (ASCC) at Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh Hotel, Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
| 28-30 March 2022 | Guest Speaker at Center Policy Research Network Summit 2022, Malaysia (Online). Research Study Titles: 1) ICT Needs Assessment for Technical Education Teachers in the SEAMEO Country Members; and 2) Exploring Effective Classroom Climate for Technical Education in the SEAMEO Country Members. |
| 10 February 2022 | Guest Speaker at 10th SEAMEO-University of Tsukuba Symposium. Research Study Titled: Assessing the Curriculum Implementation Effectiveness at General and Technical High Schools in Cambodia. |
| 28 January 2022 | Keynote Speaker at International Webinar on school Food Environment and Dietary Behavior among School Children and Adolescents in Southeast Asia |
| November 4-5, 2021 | Guest speaker at ASEAN+3 HRD Forum. The paper titled “Employment and Technical Education Reform in Cambodia” |
| December 2020-December 2025 | Standing member of China-ASEAN Vocational Education Research Center |
| April 28-29, 2021 | Guest speaker at SEAMEO Congress 2021: Transforming Southeast Asian Education, Science and Culture in the Digital Age. The topic titled “Assessing the Distance Learning Delivery Quality for Technical Education Students during the Covid-19 Pandemic Outbreak at General and Technical High Schools inCambodia” at the session of SEAMEO center presentation. |
| February 11, 2021 | Panelist and guest speaker at SEAMEO-The University of Tsukuba Symposium IX (Online). Theme: Resilience for Global Citizenship. Presentation Topic: Cambodian Response to COVID-19. |
| December 12, 2020 | Keynote speaker at 2020 China-ASEAN Vocational Education Development Forum (Online), Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P.R. China, Paper title: Trend in Technical Education in the ASEAN Region |
| November 15, 2013 | Guest speaker at the International Conference on Technical Education Development at the Jansons Institute of Technology, Coimbatore City, Tamil Nadu State, Republic of India. Paper title: Trend in Technical Education in Cambodia |
| June 22-23 June, 2019 | Best Paper Award Titled Graduate’ teamwork skills boil over in Cambodia. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Multidisciplinary Academic Research. Bali, Indonesia. |
| December 11-12, 2019 | Guest speaker at the International Seminar on Vocational Skills Development under the Framework of Belt and Road Initiatives, which was held in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China |
| December 2012 | Participation certificate of the 15th UNESCO-APEID International Conference in Jakarta, Indonesia |
| Sep. 2010 | Completion Certificate in Pannasastra International School Teacher Training Program, Cambodia |
| April 2009 | Bronze Award of Service from English Language Training Institute, Cambodia |
| October 2018 | Participation Certificate of Workshop on Technical Education Development in Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China |
| October 2018 | Participation Certificate of ASEAN-Australia Infrastructure Skills Dialogue in Melbourne City, Australia |
| Hobbies | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Playing table tennis, swimming, relaxing at the beach, and working out |
| 2 | Reading books, and doing research |
| 3 | Watching and listening to BBC and CNN news |
| 4 | Innovating something novice and knowledge acquisition |
| Language | ||
|---|---|---|
| English | Good comprehension | |
| French | Basic comprehension | |
| References | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | H.E Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, Kingdom of Cambodia. Email: hangnaron@yahoo.com | |
| 2 | Dr. Ethel Agnes P. Valenzuela, Director of SEAMEO Secretariat, Bangkok, Thailand. Email: ethel@seameo.org | |