As the permanent secretariat of the Association of Southeast Asian Teacher Education Network (AsTEN), the Philippine Normal University (PNU) joined the Kasetsart University and Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia in a separate meeting with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Secretariat on March 24, 2023 and March 27, 2023, respectively.

Joining the AsTEN delegation from PNU are Mr. John Carlo M. Ramos, AsTEN Executive Director and Mr. Carl Josef B. Francisco, Technical Assistant. Meanwhile, Kasetsart University was represented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pattamavadi Lehmongkol, Dean, Faculty of Education and AsTEN Chair; Asst. Prof. Dr. Udomluk Koolsriroj, Associate Dean for International Affairs; Asst. Prof. Dr. Wandee Kasemsukpipat, Assistant Dean for International Affairs; and Asst. Prof. Dr. Pikun Ekwarangkoon, Vice Dean for Research and Academic Services. From Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), Prof. Dr. Fuad Abdul Hamied and Prof. Dr. Mohammad Ali were present.

During the March 24 meeting in Jakarta, the delegation met with Dr. Roger Y. Chao, Jr., Assistant Director of ASEAN Education, Youth and Sports Division (EYSD). The meeting focused on the need to advance discussions and efforts in teacher education at the regional level, particularly in the areas of digital transformation, inclusive education, foundational learning, and teacher competency development as research priorities for AsTEN. During the meeting, Prof. Dr. Fuad Abdul Hamied and Prof. Dr. Mohammad Ali, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia introduced AsTEN’s efforts in creating quality assurance standards for teacher education programs in the region.

On March 27, the AsTEN delegation visited the SEAMEO Secretariat in Bangkok to consult and discuss collaboration opportunities. The delegation was received by its outgoing Director, Dr. Ethel Agnes P. Valenzuela and its incoming Director, Datuk Dr. Habibah Abdul Rahim. SEAMEO introduced their education, science, and culture agenda as well as their ongoing projects in the region, expressing interest in collaborating with AsTEN and its member institutions in the future.

The AsTEN delegation’s meetings with ASEAN and SEAMEO Secretariats set the groundwork for future collaborations that can contribute to further enrich a skilled and competent teaching workforce in the region.