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I. Background

The SEAMEO Jasper Research Award has been awarded annually since its establishment in 1990 with the support of the Government of Canada. This means that as of 2024, the award has been given 11 times since the award has been given every three (3) years since its establishment. The recent awardees were:

  1. 2021/2022 SEAMEO-Jasper Research Award, Dr Sally Baricaua Gutierez (Phillipines)
  2. 2018/2019 SEAMEO-Jasper Research Award, Prof Dr Faaizah Binti Shahbodin (Malaysia)
  3. 2015/2016 SEAMEO-Jasper Research Award, Mr Amando Perfecto Dela Cruz Molin (Philippines)

The 12th SEAMEO-Jasper Research Award aims to continue encourage young scholars to pursue research on a relevant theme on social development in Southeast Asia and facilitate continued interaction and knowledge-sharing among Southeast Asian and Canadian researchers.

The SEAMEO Jasper Research Award provided significant benefits to both Canada and Southeast Asia. The award enhanced diplomatic and educational ties between Canada and Southeast Asian countries, fostering stronger bilateral relations. It has also allowed Canada to showcase its expertise in various research fields, contributing to the global academic community and promoting Canadian research standards and methodologies. Canadian researchers had the opportunities to collaborate with Southeast Asian counterparts, leading to joint research projects and publications that can address global challenges. Canadian educational institutions also benefited from increased visibility and prestige, potentially attracting more international students and researchers to Canada.

Meanwhile the award also supported the development of research capacities in Southeast Asian countries by providing resources and opportunities for local researchers to advance their studies. Southeast Asian researchers gained access to Canadian expertise and advanced research techniques, enhancing the quality and impact of their work. The collaborative nature of the award encouraged innovation and the application of new ideas and technologies to address regional challenges in Southeast Asia. The research funded by the award focused on issues pertinent to Southeast Asia, such as environmental sustainability, education, and health, leading to practical solutions that benefit the region.

Overall, the SEAMEO Jasper Research Award serves as a bridge between Canada and Southeast Asia, promoting mutual growth, understanding, and cooperation in the realm of research and education.

 

II. Theme: Engaging Minority and Indigenous Communities in Southeast Asia

The theme for the SEAMEO-Jasper Research Award 2024/2025 is Engaging Minority and Indigenous Communities in Southeast Asia”.

The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization is a regional intergovernmental organization that seeks to promote regional cooperation in education, science and culture in the region. It aims to nurture human capacities and potential to enhance social development in the region, improving the quality of life for people in Southeast Asia. Due to this, the countries in Southeast Asia continue to make efforts to improve the quality of education, science, and culture, as well as striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals from the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This requires various programs and innovations to adapt to a constantly changing world, such as engaging with minorities and indigenous communities in order to ensure social development and progress without leaving anyone behind, in line with the transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

According to the UNHCR, the term “minority” is recognized as an ethnic, religious linguistic or cultural group, as well as other characteristics like gender identity, who are fewer in number than the rest of the population, and whose members share a common identity and rights. Similarly, no single definition of ‘indigenous’ people has been agreed upon, though they also tend to not be dominant in the socio-economic and politic spheres of their countries as compared to majorities, similar to minorities. Both minorities and indigenous people are often discriminated against and marginalized, facing multiple issues from forced displacement to human rights violations.

Due to this, the engagement of minority and indigenous communities in Southeast Asia is crucial for fostering inclusive development, preserving cultural heritage, and ensuring social justice. This theme focuses on the strategies, challenges, and opportunities for effectively involving these communities in various aspects of societal progress. Promoting inclusion in policy making and education, preserving and promoting cultural heritage, empowering minorities and indigenous communities through skills training and economic opportunities, and addressing issues of discrimination and social inequality are some of the issues that requires serious attention. Key topics that could also be addressed include the role of governance and policies in protecting the rights of minorities and indigenous communities, impacts of education and capacity building and integrating indigenous knowledge systems into mainstream education. By focusing on these areas, the theme of engaging minority and indigenous communities in Southeast Asia aims to create a more inclusive, respectful and sustainable future for all. 

The SEAMEO-Jasper Research Award 2024/2025 therefore recognizes research investigating how minorities and indigenous communities in Southeast Asia can be engaged in order to enhance social development and quality of life in the region. The award distinguishes studies that explore concepts, traditional or innovative models and best practices on academic and research in addressing engagement of minority and indigenous communities in Southeast Asia. Likewise, research studies may include investigations or documented cases on policies and practical strategies towards minority and indigenous communities’ engagement in the region.

 

III. Thematic Strands

Research studies may cover one or more areas as follows:

  1. Promoting inclusion in policy making and education;
  2. Preserving and promoting cultural heritage;
  3. Empowering minorities and indigenous communities through skills training and economic opportunities; and
  4. Addressing issues of discrimination and social inequality

 

IV. Eligible Applicants
  1. A national of a SEAMEO Member Country*
  2. Holder of advanced degree
  3. Not more than 45 years of age at the time of application
  4. Not currently associated with or employed by any of the SEAMEO Centers/Networks or SEAMEO Secretariat
  5. Not previously received any awards organized by SEAMEO Secretariat
  6. For studies/projects conducted by a team of researchers, only one author will be eligible for nomination. The submission should include a written note from the co-author(s) waiving any claim to the Award, in case the research is selected; and a statement indicating the nominee’s level of responsibility (in percentage) for the research work
  7. Physically fit to travel; certification by a competent physician may be requested before travelling

* SEAMEO Member Countries include: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam

 

V. Eligible Research Entries
  1. The research must be a completed research study/project conducted in Southeast Asia (covering one country or more in the Southeast Asia region) relating to the identified theme for the Award.
  2. The research study/project must have been completed between 2020-2024.
  3. All submissions, including photo captions and other materials, must be in English.
  4. All research entries conducted for graduate/post‐graduate theses or doctoral dissertations will not be accepted.
  5. Research entries from previous winners of the SEAMEO‐Jasper Research Award and other SEAMEO Awards will not be accepted.
  6. A research entry should comprise:
    1. The 20-page summary of the research paper
    2. a one-page abstract of the research paper
    3. Complete research paper
  1. Research entry should have the following essential sections:
    1. Introduction (including rationale, statement of the problem, research objectives)
    2. Methodology
    3. Results and Discussions
    4. Conclusions and Recommendations
    5. References
    6. Appendices

 

VI. Award Selection Process

This year the selection will be comprised of two stages:

  1. Review

    SEAMEO officials will review the submitted entries. Only shortlisted papers that pass this primary review will be submitted to experts’ review.
  1. Selection

    A selection committee composed of representatives from relevant international organizations and SEAMEO shall conduct the final review of the qualified applications. Selection will be based on the research report’s quality and relevance to the theme mainly on how minorities and indigenous communities in Southeast Asia can be engaged in order to enhance social development and quality of life in the region.

 

VII. Benefits to SEAMEO-Jasper Research Awardee
  1. The winner of the SEAMEO‐Jasper Research Award will be awarded a Plaque of Recognition at the 48th SEAMEO High Officials Meeting.
  2. The SEAMEO‐Jasper Research Award winner will receive a travel fellowship to Canada or to any two (2) of the SEAMEO Member Countries to disseminate the results of winning research to Canadian embassies in Southeast Asia/relevant education/research institutions.
  3. The fellowship includes 7‐day travel expenses to Canada/Southeast Asian countries (including travel time). However, the fellow must be responsible for costs related to immigration, such as passport and visa, which occur before the visit. The fellowship will include assistance by the SEAMEO Secretariat in travel and meeting arrangements. The fellowship visit shall be done within twelve months from the date of the winner's announcement.

 

VIII. Submission of Research Entries

Candidates are expected to submit one set of the electronic files of the following:

  1. Completed application form
  2. A 20-page summary of the research paper (including rationale statement of the problem, objectives, methodology, results, discussions, conclusions and recommendations; and references/appendices)
  3. A one-page abstract of the research paper
  4. Complete research paper

Electronic submissions must reach the SEAMEO Secretariat on or before 31 December 2024.
The research submissions should be marked and addressed to the SEAMEO-Jasper Research Award: seameojasper-research@seameo.org

 

IX. Important Dates


Activities Schedule
  • Call for Entries

19 August 2024

  • Period for submission of entries

19 August to 31 December 2024

  • Deadline for entry submission

31 December 2024

  • Entry evaluation and shortlisting

15 April 2025

  • External Evaluation

15 May 2025

  • Announcement of Winner on SEAMEO Website

October 2025

  • Awarding Ceremony at 48th SEAMEO High Officials Meeting

November 2025

 

X. Ways Forward for SEAMEO-Jasper Research Award

With multiple years of the implementation of the SEAMEO-Jasper Research Award, it is crucial to look at the impact and reach of the winning research proposals throughout the years. In line with this, we are proposing the following:

  1. Online Forum on Effective Practices from Previous SEAMEO-Jasper Research Award Winners – Deciding on a theme, SEAMEO and Canada will co-organize an online forum where previous SEAMEO-Jasper Research Award winners will share the gains of their projects after the grant. This will showcase the impact of the SEAMEO-Jasper Research Award in Southeast Asia and how it bolstered partnerships with Canada.
  1. Publication of Effective Practices from SEAMEO-Jasper Research Award Winners – We can compile the papers and effective practices and develop a publication containing details from the research and guidance on possible contextualization of the research. This publication can be referred to by Ministries, schools, and institutions which would further scale up the impact and reach of the SEAMEO-Jasper Research Award winners.

 

XI. Contact Person

For further information, please contact:
Dr Kamaleswaran Jayarajah
Research, Evaluation and Assessment Specialist
SEAMEO Secretariat
Bangkok, Thailand
Email: seameojasper-research@seameo.org

Ms Chunkan Benchaporn
Programme Assistant
SEAMEO Secretariat
Bangkok, Thailand
Email: seameojasper-research@seameo.org