Primarily, the briefing presented to the diplomatic corps in Thailand "SEAMEO College", a brand new project of SEAMEO that introduces a platform for high-level discussions on forward-looking issues and concerns that will help prepare Southeast Asia for the challenges of the future, and support ASEAN community. SEAMEO College consists of a series of forums and research and development activities.

Following the unanimous decision of the 11 SEAMEO education ministers to pursue greater and more focused dialogues through SEAMEO College, the project was launched during the 47th SEAMEO Council Conference on 20 March 2013 in Hanoi, Vietnam which was attended by the SEAMEO Education Ministers, representatives from SEAMEO Associate and Affiliate Members, international organizations, the diplomatic community in Vietnam, and the media.

The briefing for the diplomatic community in Thailand was attended by representatives from 20 countries including the SEAMEO Member Countries and Associate Member Countries. Other invited countries include the United States, Japan, and Republic of Korea. The European Union and some UN agencies and international organizations attended the briefing including UNESCO, UNICEF and the World Bank. Centre Directors and officials of some SEAMEO Centres came to assist the SEAMEO Secretariat in the conduct of the meeting.

The briefing also featured the work and priorities of SEAMEO on education, science and culture. Key projects of SEAMEO Centres were presented as well as the impact of these projects to Southeast Asia.

SEAMEO panel presents the work of SEAMEO on education, science and culture with particular focus on SEAMEO College as a new flagship project of SEAMEO. The panel consists of (from left to right) Dr Tinsiri Siribodhi, Deputy Director for Administration and Communication, SEAMEO Secretariat; Prof Dr Pratap Singhasivanon, Secretary-General, SEAMEO Tropical Medicine and Public Health Network; Dr M R Rujaya Abhakorn, Centre Director, SEAMEO Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts; and Dr Witaya Jeradechakul, Director, SEAMEO Secretariat

SEAMEO College will highlight three key issues, namely, bridging regional divides such as disparities in education and skills attainment, creating a common space in education such as harmonizing regional frameworks for common standards in education, and social needs and market demand signaling systems for technical manpower such as changing labor demand in Southeast Asia. The SEAMEO College will also include a focus on the Millennium Development Goals and the Post-2015 Education Agenda.

The first cycle of SEAMEO College will take place from third quarter of 2013 to third quarter of 2015 with support from Asian Development Bank. Activities will be organized and held in major cities in SEAMEO Member Countries as well as other countries.

Representatives from different embassies in Thailand browse through the materials during the briefing.

Media representatives in Thailand gather more information on SEAMEO College from Dr Witaya Jeradechakul, Director of SEAMEO Secretariat. after the diplomatic briefing