On June 18, 2025, a delegation from the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Technical Education Development (SEAMEO TED), led by Director Dr. Songheang Ai, paid an official visit to the ASEAN Secretariat and was warmly welcomed by H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN.
During the meeting, Dr. Ai presented a comprehensive overview of its recent achievements in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and regional collaboration. He highlighted that since its establishment in 2017, SEAMEO TED has been committed to supporting technical and vocational high schools/colleges/polytechnics, and relevant government agencies across the 11 SEAMEO member countries in terms of capacity-building programs, research and development, and public relations and partnership for TVET students, teachers, school management, and policy makers.
Among the center’s flagship initiative is the China–Southeast Asia Partnership Workshop, which has been successfully held twice and has become a key platform for regional knowledge exchange and industry-education integration. In addition, the China–ASEAN Technical Education Cooperation Platform (CATECP)—initiated by SEAMEO TED during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020—has grown steadily. By the end of 2024, 41 Chinese vocational institutions had shared over 300 courses through the platform, significantly enhancing regional digital resource sharing and inter-school cooperation.
After listening to the briefing, Secretary-General Dr. Kao noted that this was his first formal interaction with SEAMEO and expressed strong appreciation for TED’s contributions to regional educational development. He emphasized that ASEAN is currently implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, and all educational initiatives must align with its long-term development goals. Against this backdrop, he encouraged TED to focus on strategic emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and digital economy, and to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN member states and external partners in the development of digital infrastructure and human capacity.
The Secretary-General further stressed the importance of coordination, efficiency, and resource optimization in future collaborations between ASEAN and its partners, to avoid duplication and enhance impact. He encouraged SEAMEO TED to continue building flagship projects that could enhance the center’s credibility and visibility, attract more support, and ensure the long-term sustainability of its initiatives.
This visit marked the beginning of a deeper dialogue mechanism between SEAMEO TED and ASEAN Secretariat, laying a strong foundation for closer collaboration and high-quality development in the regional technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
