On Monday, 18 April 2022, Singapore’s Minister for Education and current President of the SEAMEO Council (SEAMEC), H E Mr Chan Chun Sing, made the first virtual visit to the Philippines, to meet with H E Dr Leonor Magtolis Briones, Secretary of Education from the Department of Education of the Philippines, and representatives from SEAMEO INNOTECH and SEAMEO SEARCA. This virtual visit is part of the SEAMEC Presidency activities including visits to SEAMEO Centres around the region to discuss opportunities for collaboration.  

The SEAMEC President and Vice President H E Dr Leonor Magtolis Briones, Secretary of Education, Department of Education engaged in a discussion on education issues and challenges faced by both countries and the region.

H E Mr Chan Chun Sing highlighted the importance for students in the region to stay connected and encouraged more exchange programmes between Singapore and other SEAMEO Member countries.

H E Mr Chan Chun Sing
Minister of Education, Singapore
SEAMEO Council President 

H E Dr Leonor Magtolis Briones
Secretary, Department of Education, Philippines
SEAMEO Council Vice President 

Following the ministerial discussion were presentations by two SEAMEO Centres in the Philippines, SEAMEO INNOTECH and SEAMEO SEARCA. Mr Benito E Benoza, Manager, Knowledge Management and Network Office and Officer-in-Charge in SEAMEO INNOTECH, presented on the Centre’s 10th Five Year Development Plan, and shared some organisational updates on Capacity Building, Educational Research and Innovation, Knowledge Management and Innovation Sharing, Staff Health and Wellness Support Activities. There were opportunities for collaboration in various areas such as in cooperation support services in third country programs, knowledge sharing and Skills Future programmes with Singaporean educational institutions and other non-state players involved in education.

Dr Glenn B Gregorio, Centre Director SEAMEO SEARCA, introduced three core programmes of the Centre under the theme ATTAIN- Accelerating Transformation Through Agricultural Innovation: Education and Collective Learning (ECL), Research and Thought Leadership (RTL), and Emerging Innovation for Growth (EIG) Department. H E Mr Chan Chun Sing expressed his appreciation to the two Centres for their good work and their drive to continuously provide innovative programmes to SEAMEO member countries over the years. His Excellency also acknowledged the tremendous potential for cross-country and cross-centre learning and collaboration to address and tackle mutual challenges.

Mr Benito E Benoza
Manager, Knowledge Management and Network Office
and Officer-in-Charge
SEAMEO INNOTECH

Dr Glenn B Gregorio
Centre Director
SEAMEO SEARCA

To conclude the fruitful discussion, Dr Ethel Agnes Pascua-Valenzuela, Director of the SEAMEO Secretariat, presented the synthesis of the session with key take-aways for further action.  H E Dr Leonor Magtolis Briones was delighted and thankful that Philippines had been selected as the first destination of the virtual SEAMEC President Visit and hoped to be able to host the face-to-face visit in the near future. Her Excellency commented that the discussion had been remarkably stimulating and impressive and looked forward to further exchange of ideas from Singapore and other SEAMEO Member countries. Likewise, H E Mr Chan Chun Sing conveyed his gratitude for the hospitality of Department of Education of the Philippines, as well as the dedication of the SEAMEO Secretariat, SEAMEO INNOTECH and SEAMEO SEARCA in organising the meaningful programme which, despite being virtual, brought the authentic feelings with insightful sharing and discussion.

Dr Ethel Agnes Pascua-Valenzuela
Director
SEAMEO Secretariat