A. Background

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.

 

Programme-At-A-Glance

Time (GMT+9 Tsukuba, Japan)

6 Feb 2025

7 Feb 2025

Mostly AM
  • Opening Ceremony
  • Let’s try Problem-based Learning
  • Problem-based Learning Approaches in the Era of AI and Data Sciences
  • Challenges and Opportunities - Use of AI and Emerging Tech for Problem-based Learning
  • Breakout Two: Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Problem-based Learning;
    SEA-Teacher Session;
    Educational research presentations by Indonesian educators

PM
  • Resource Allocation for Effective Problem-based Learning – with Focus on Low Resource and Marginalised Settings.
  • Breakout One: Evaluating Problem-based Learning
  • Adjusting Learners and Educators to Problem-based Learning
  • Networking Session
  • Closing

 

B. Theme Description and Objectives

“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: 

  1. Provide a platform to discuss practical challenges of and solutions to the implementation of problem-based learning in the ever-growing presence of AI and data sciences;   
  2. Consolidate the recommendations, best practices, and ways forward.

 

C. Participants

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. 

 

D. Registration

The symposium is free of charge. However, pre-registration is required for all participants by 5 February 2025.

Link and QR Code for Registration
https://link.seameo.org/13SEAMEO-UT/RegisParticipants 

 

E. Expected Outputs
  • Consolidated presentations of speakers for the SEAMEO-UT Journal of Southeast Asian Education.
  • A summary report of the symposium. 
  • SEAMEO-UT Journal 2024 (TBC)

 

F. Full Paper Submission (Optional for Speakers)

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.

 

G. Certificate

The e-Certificate will be provided and generated by the SEAMEO Secretariat as follows:

  • “Certificate of Appreciation” will be provided to the Speakers.
  • “Certificate of Participation” will be provided to all participants who attend the Symposium and complete the Certificate Validation and Assessment Form at the end of each day.

 

H. Provisional Programme/Agenda

One link for joining all live sessions of the 13th SEAMEO-UT Symposium

YouTube https://link.seameo.org/13SEAMEO-UT/Live/YT

Facebook https://link.seameo.org/13SEAMEO-UT/Live/FB

 

DAY 1: Thursday, 6 February 2025

Opening Ceremony
MC:
Ms Chunkan Benchaporn
Programme Assistant
SEAMEO Secretariat

SEAMEO Colours

  • Welcome Remarks by
    Dr Jun Ikeda
    Vice President for Global Affairs
    University of Tsukuba 
  • Remarks by
    Datuk Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim
    Director
    SEAMEO Secretariat
    Thailand
  • Remarks by
    Mr Koji Kitayama
    Deputy Assistant Minister / Director International Affairs Division
    Minister’s Secretariat
    Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Japan
Session 1: Let’s try Problem-based Learning
Led by:
Mr Garry Pawitandra Poluan
Learning Innovation and Information Specialist
SEAMEO Secretariat
Session 2: Problem-based Learning Approaches in the Era of AI and Data Sciences
Moderator:
Mr Garry Pawitandra Poluan
Learning Innovation and Information Specialist
SEAMEO Secretariat
  • Dr Azman bin Jusoh
    Centre Director
    SEAMEO Regional Centre for Education in Science and Mathematics (RECSAM)
    (online)
  • Dr Kritsachai Somsaman
    Centre Director
    SEAMEO Regional Centre for Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Education (STEM-ED)
  • Dr Mariko Gakiya
    Visiting Professor
    Kyoto University
    (online)
  • Dr Hiromi Mochiyama
    Professor, Institute of Systems and Information Engineering
    University of Tsukuba, Malaysia/Japan
    (online)

Session 3: Resource Allocation for Effective Problem-based Learning – with Focus on Low Resource and Marginalised Settings.
Moderator:
Dr Kamaleswaran Jayarajah
Research, Evaluation, and Assessment Specialist
SEAMEO Secretariat
  • Mdm Jamilah binti Kadir
    Centre Director
    SEAMEO Regional Centre for Special Educational Needs (SEN)
  • Mr Takeshi Matsuyama
    Group Director for Basic Education, Human Development Dept.
    Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
  • Prof Masami Isoda
    Director of CRICED
    University of Tsukuba
    Japan
Introduction to Breakout One Session
Breakout One: Evaluating Problem-based Learning

  • Group A:
    Defining success in Problem-based Learning
    Led by:
    Ms Le Thi Thuy Duong
    Centre Director
    SEAMEO Regional Training Centre (RETRAC)

  • Group B:
    Measuring Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
    Led by:
    Dr Paryono
    Deputy Director Professional Affairs and Research Specialist
    SEAMEO Regional Centre for Vocational and Technical Education and Training (VOCTECH)

  • Group C:
    Longitudinal Studies and Impact Assessment
    Led by:
    Dr Arif Hidayat
    Center for Excellence of Lesson and Learning Studies, Indonesia University of Education (UPI);
    President of Indonesia Association of Lesson Study




  • Group D: Level 4 Podcast
    Online participants: Feedback Mechanisms and Student Engagement
    Main speaker:
    Dr Kamaleswaran Jayarajah
    Research, Evaluation, and Assessment Specialist
    SEAMEO Secretariat

    Guest interview:
    Mr Brian Gitau
    EEE Student, Strathmore University
    Founder, TIQO

Session 4: Adjusting Learners and Educators to Problem-based Learning
Moderator:
Dr Nakao Nomura
Regional Director for Southeast Asia and Taiwan, Bureau of Global Initiatives
University of Tsukuba
  • Dr Daniel Suryadarma
    Senior Research Economist
    Asian Development Bank (ADB) Institute
  • Prof Vina Adriany
    Centre Director
    SEAMEO Regional Centre for Early Childhood Care Education and Parenting (CECCEP)
  • Mr Takeaki Nakahara
    CEO
    Teach For Japan
  • Dr Sherlyne Almonte-Acosta
    Senior Education Specialist
    SEAMEO Regional Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology (INNOTECH)

 

 

DAY 2: Friday, 7 February 2025

Recap of Day 1
Mr John Arnold Siena
Deputy Director for Programme and Development
SEAMEO Secretariat
Session 5: Challenges and Opportunities - Use of AI and Emerging Tech for Problem-based Learning
Moderator:
Mr Ahmad Heikhal bin Amir Hamzah
Manager, Strategic Planning & Communication Division
SEAMEO Regional Centre for Special Educational Needs (SEN)
  • Prof Alison Clark-Wilson
    UCL Institute of Education
  • Mr Alex Groms
    International Business Department Manager
    Artec Co., Ltd.
Introduction to Breakout Two and Parallel Sessions

Breakout Two:
Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Problem-based Learning;
SEA-Teacher Session;
Educational research presentations by Indonesian educators

 Lessons learned from the SEA-Teacher programme with special focus on the pilot case in Japan
On-site, and interested online participants		 Educational research presentations by Indonesian educators
On-site, and interested online participants
Facilitator:
Ms Nao Ishihara
CRICED Secretary-officer
Bureau of Global Initiatives
University of Tsukuba

Led by:
Dr Arif Hidayat
Center for Excellence of Lesson and Learning Studies, Indonesia University of Education (UPI);
President of Indonesia Association of Lesson Study.

  • Group A: Education - Integrating the Education for Sustainable Development into problem-based learning scenarios.
    Led by:
    Ms Piyapa Su-angavatin
    Programme Officer
    SEAMEO Regional Centre for Sufficiency Economy Philosophy for Sustainability (SEPS)

  • Dr Nakao Nomura
    Regional Director for Southeast Asia and Taiwan, Bureau of Global Initiatives
    University of Tsukuba
   

  • Group B: Culture - Incorporating diverse perspectives and cultural contexts into problem-based learning.
    Led by:
    Dr Brian Arieska Pranata
    Centre Director
    SEAMEO Regional Center for Quality Improvement of Teachers and Education Personnel (QITEP) in Language (SEAQIL)
  • Dr Yoshikazu Tatemoto
    University of Tsukuba Affiliated Senior High School at Sakado
   
  • Group C: Science – Discussion on the connection between science and problem-based learning.
    Led by:
    Dr Glenn Gregorio
    Centre Director
    SEAMEO Regional Centre for
    Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEAMEO SEARCA)
  • Mr Kenichi Yoshida
    University of Tsukuba Affiliated Senior High School at Sakado
    







  • Group D - Level 4 Podcast
    Online participants: Case Studies of Interdisciplinary Collaboration – exploring challenges in implementing interdisciplinary collaboration
    Main speaker:
    Dr Kamaleswaran Jayarajah
    Research, Evaluation, and Assessment Specialist
    SEAMEO Secretariat

    Guest interview:
    Dr Tun Lwin
    Project Officer
    SEAMEO Secretariat
  • Panel session among the inbound students to Japan
  • Panel session among the outbound students from Japan
  • QA session
    
Closing Session
  • Closing Message by
    Datuk Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim
    Director
    SEAMEO Secretariat
    Thailand
  • Ways Forward and Closing Message by
    Prof Masami Isoda
    Director of CRICED
    University of Tsukuba
    Japan
Networking Session

I. Back-to-back Event

There will be two optional visits to the Affiliated Elementary School of University of Tsukuba on 8 and 9 February 2025. These visits are open only to on-site participants who register specifically for the visit(s).

 

J. More Information

13th SEAMEO-University of Tsukuba Symposium

 

K. Focal Persons
  • Co-managed by SEAMEO Secretariat and CRICED, University of Tsukuba, Japan
    • SEAMEO Secretariat, Bangkok, Thailand:
      Datuk Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim, Director
    • CRICED, University of Tsukuba, Japan
      Prof Dr Masami Isoda, Director, CRICED
  • Coordinators  
    • SEAMEO Secretariat, Bangkok, Thailand:
      Mr Garry Pawitandra Poluan, Learning Innovation and Information Specialist
    • CRICED, University of Tsukuba, Japan:
      Ms Nao Ishihara, CRICED Secretary-officer

 

L. Contact
  • For more information, please contact:
    • SEAMEO Secretariat, Bangkok, Thailand.
      Mr Garry Pawitandra Poluan, Learning Innovation and Information Specialist (webinar@seameo.org).