H E Dr Jaime C Laya

SEAMEC President's Official Visits to SEAMEO Units 1985

His Excellency Dr Jaime C Laya, Minister of Education, Culture and Sports of the Republic of the Philippines, made official visits to the various SEAMEO units in the region during 1985, in his capacity as President of SEAMEC.

During his visit to Singapore, 21-23 April 1985, he called on His Excellency Dr Tony Tan Keng Wan, then Minister for Finance, and Minister for Education and Minister for Health, at the Ministry of Finance. He also met with His Excellency Dr Tay Eng Soon, Minister of State (Education) and Minister of State (Communications and Information). The SEAMEC President delivered the opening address at the RELC Regional Seminar on Language Across the Curriculum, met with the Director, the Administrative and professional staff of RELC and toured the training and research facilities at the Centre.

During the period 22-25 July 1985, His Excellency visited Indonesia and called on His Excellency Professor Dr J B Sumarlin, then Minister of Education and Culture, a.i., of the Republic of Indonesia. The SEAMEC President visited the SPAFA Sub-Centres, SEAMEO TROPMED National Centre, and SEAMEO BIOTROP where he also delivered the opening address at the SEAMEO BIOTROP Regional Symposium on Practical Measures for Preventing and Controlling Fish Diseases.

After his visit to Indonesia, His Excellency wrote me a letter of appreciation, stating that the visits to Singapore and Indonesia had been illuminating and that he would endorse such visits to future Presidents of SEAMEC. He further stated that the discussions with officials of the Centres and Projects were all informative as well as inspiring to him.

The SEAMEC President's visit to Malaysia was from 18 to 21 November 1985. His Excellency made courtesy calls on His Excellency Datuk Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi, Minister of Education, and His Excellency Datuk Dr Sulaiman bin Haji Daud, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Malaysia. He visited the TROPMED National Centre in Kuala Lumpur and RECSAM at Glugor, Penang.

His Excellency visited Thailand from 21 to 25 November 1985, during which period he made courtesy calls on His Excellency General Prem Tinsulanonda, Prime Minister of Thailand, and His Excellency Mr Chuan Leekpai, Minister of Education, Thailand.

Visits were made to the SPAFA Sub-Centre of Thailand, SEAMEO TROPMED National Centre of Thailand, the SEAMEO SPAFA Coordinating Unit, the SEAMEO TROPMED Central Office, and SEAMEO Secretariat.

On the last day of His Excellency' visit to Thailand, he inaugurated the 8th High Officials Meeting in Bangkok. In his address at the Opening Ceremony, His Excellency referred to his visits of the SEAMEO units that had just been completed, and stated that from the range of activities covering the vital areas in education, it was evident that SEAMEO has high potential for further strengthening cooperation in human resource development which will contribute towards social and economic development in the Member Countries and towards the promotion of peace and mutual understanding in the region.

The Organization is indebted to His Excellency for giving his time to tour the various Centres and Projects, and inspiring them with his personal interest and encouragement.


His Excellency's cultural tour to the National Museum and the Grand Palace during his visit to Thailand, accompanied by Professor Dr Adul Wichiencharoen, SEAMEO Secretariat Director.