Since its inception as an Affiliate Member of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) in 2009, the University of Tsukuba (UT) of Japan has been one of the most active Affiliate Members of SEAMEO. Through collaboration with the Center for Research on International Cooperation in Educational Development (CRICED) and Faculty of Education of UT, various teacher development programmes have been developed, particularly in Science, Mathematics, and Teacher Education, along with professional and student exchange programmes that have benefited teachers and students in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Over a period of ten years, the SEAMEO-UT Symposium has been organised annually with themes according to the needs of and emerging issues in teacher education between Japan and Southeast Asia. The 12th SEAMEO-UT Symposium, themed “Challenges and Ways Forward in the Era of Generative AI with Reflection on 25 Years of 21st Century Education”, was supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) Japan and successfully conducted on 27-28 February 2024 in hybrid on-site and online. Approximately 19,500 participated through the SEAMEO Secretariat livestream channels. Registrants originated from all 11 SEAMEO Member Countries, China, India, Japan, and as far as El Salvador, Hungary, Kenya, the United States, and Uzbekistan, totalling to approximately 50 countries.
As a continuation, and in response to the rapidly growing innovations in education, the SEAMEO Secretariat in collaboration with UT and supported by MEXT Japan will organise the 13th SEAMEO-University of Tsukuba Symposium on 6-7 February 2025.
The 13th Symposium will address the needs of Japan and the Southeast Asian region via the timely theme of “Transforming Education to Problem-based Learning in the Era of AI and Data Sciences.”
The 13th Symposium will be organised in hybrid mode, whereby some participants will be participating face-to-face at the UT campus in Tokyo, Japan, and others participate online through the SEAMEO Secretariat’s Youtube and Facebook livestreams.
“Transforming Education to Problem-based Learning in the Era of AI and Data Sciences”
Problem-based learning is an instructional methodology that emphasises active learning through the exploration of real-world problems, fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and self-directed learning among students. In today's rapidly evolving landscape, characterized by the rise of artificial intelligence and data sciences, problem-based learning is more crucial than ever. It equips learners with the skills necessary to navigate complex challenges and apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations. It therefore also supports in preparing learners for the demands of modern workplaces. This symposium shall delve into innovative strategies for implementing and evaluating problem-based learning, explore effective resource allocation, and highlight the use of emerging technologies to enhance the problem-based learning experience, among others. It shall reimagine education to meet the needs of a data-driven future.
The objectives of the Symposium are to:
The symposium is open to university Presidents/Vice Presidents, Deans, Heads of Departments, Lecturers/Teachers, Researchers, Educators, and Ministry Officials from Southeast Asian countries, Japan, and beyond.
The symposium is free of charge. However, pre-registration is required for all participants by 5 February 2025.
The SEAMEO Secretariat and the University of Tsukuba plan to publish the papers presented at the 13th SEAMEO-University of Tsukuba Symposium in the Journal of Southeast Asian Education. Please submit to chanika@seameo.org, cc kamaleswaran@seameo.org. Deadline for submission is 7 March 2025 (Bangkok time - GMT+7). Honorarium will be provided for those whose submission is selected for publication.
13th SEAMEO-University of Tsukuba Symposium
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