Held on 3-4 July 2025 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, the SEAMEO Centres Policy Research Network (CPRN) Summit 2025. Themed “Building Bridges to a Sustainable Future: Inclusive Collaboration and Innovation,” this year’s Summit brought together a dynamic mix of researchers, policymakers, and education stakeholders who are working to develop evidence-based and inclusive strategies for regional development. Organised by SEAMEO VOCTECH for the second time and conducted back-to-back with the 53rd SEAMEO Council Conference, the Summit continued to serve as a collaborative platform to address the region’s most pressing challenges in education, science, and culture.

The Summit opened with thought-provoking keynote presentations from global and regional experts, each offering unique insights into transforming education systems to be more inclusive, resilient, and forward-looking:

• Mr Tony McAleavy, Chief Education & Skills Officer, Education Development Trust (UK), emphasised the importance of metacognition and learning strategies in ensuring quality education for all learners.
• Dr Eva Maria C Cutiongco-de La Paz, Executive Director, National Institutes of Health (Philippines), showcased how evidence-based research shapes national health policies and laws, demonstrating strong interlinkages between education, science, and public health.
• Mr Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills, OECD, presented key findings from PISA 2022, highlighting the importance of robust data in improving learning outcomes globally.
• Dr Margarita Pavlova, Research Fellow, UNEVOC Centre, Hong Kong & Visiting Professor, UTHM (Malaysia), shared regional insights on the green transition in Southeast Asia, with a focus on how Greening TVET can drive innovation and community engagement.

A total of 36 policy research papers were presented—20 in education, 10 in science, and 6 in culture—reflecting the diversity and depth of regional research efforts. While the overall theme of the Summit was “Building Bridges to a Sustainable Future: Inclusive Collaboration and Innovation,” the BRIDGE framework was introduced as a guiding lens to categorise and connect the diverse topics presented:

• B – Bridging inclusion and equity for every learner
• R – Re-defining and re-aligning TVET greening skills for future workforce readiness
• I – Integration of AI, immersive learning, and adaptive platforms
• D – Digital transformation in education
• G – Growing cultural heritage through education
• E – Empowering science, health, nutrition, and lifelong learning

The BRIDGE framework served as a useful lens for organising the dialogue, allowing each research area to connect back to the region’s shared aspirations for sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation. The Summit featured a rich array of compelling topics and discussions. Below is a curated selection of highlights and presentation excerpts that capture the spirit and substance of the event.

How is artificial intelligence transforming the professional landscape for adult educators in Brunei Darussalam? In this insightful presentation, Dr Adeline Goh Yuen Sze and Mr Sumardi Haji Abdul Hamid examine the evolving role of adult educators amid the rise of AI, drawing on findings from a multi-country ASEM research initiative.

The study reveals that over 70% of adult educators in Brunei are already using AI tools to enhance productivity and job satisfaction. However, more than 80% express an urgent need for professional development to build confidence, ensure ethical practices, and maximise the potential of AI in teaching and learning.

Beyond usage statistics, the research delves into key challenges such as workload concerns, institutional support gaps, and anxieties about the future of the profession. The presenters advocate for targeted training, inclusive policy design, and collaborative implementation approaches to ensure AI serves as a tool for empowerment rather than disruption.

Click here to download the full presentation and explore how AI is shaping the future of adult education in Brunei.

By 2035, over 13% of Brunei’s population will be aged 65 and above, raising urgent questions about healthcare, policy, and social preparedness. Yet ageing remains a low-priority issue in national discourse. In this compelling presentation, Dr Asmah Husaini, Assistant Professor at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), shares findings from an institutional study examining how UBD’s academic, research, and leadership communities can contribute meaningfully to national ageing strategies.

The study, based on interviews and content analysis, reveals key barriers—fragmented initiatives, curriculum gaps, and limited cross-sector collaboration. Dr Husaini outlines a forward-thinking framework calling for curriculum reform, targeted research clusters, and stronger partnerships among government, academia, and civil society.

This presentation offers valuable insights for educators, policymakers, researchers, and advocates working towards inclusive and sustainable ageing solutions in Brunei and the region.

Click here to download the presentation and explore how higher education can drive Brunei’s transition to an age-friendly nation.

Kampong Ayer—often called the "Venice of the East"—is the world's largest water village and one of Brunei Darussalam’s most distinctive cultural treasures. In this engaging presentation, Dr Shafi Noor Islam from Universiti Brunei Darussalam explores the village’s rich history, unique traditional architecture, and evolving identity in the face of modernisation.

Through comparative analysis of architectural styles, fieldwork using GIS and drone technologies, and insights into community livelihood, Dr Islam addresses pressing concerns: the loss of cultural identity, shrinking settlements, and environmental degradation. He further highlights how cultural tourism and education can serve as powerful tools for conserving Kampong Ayer’s tangible and intangible heritage—paving the way for its nomination as Brunei’s first UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

Click here to download the presentation and learn how tourism, architecture, and awareness can preserve one of Southeast Asia’s most iconic living heritage sites.

How are Southeast Asian countries tackling school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV), promoting mental health, and ensuring digital safety in education? In this important regional study, Dr Hani Yulindrasari and Chrisant Raisha, in collaboration with UNICEF EAPRO, provide an in-depth mapping of gender-related policies and programmes across the region.

Drawing from policy reviews, national consultations, and school-level data from 10 countries, the presentation offers evidence-based insights on what is working, where the gaps lie, and how countries can move toward more gender-transformative and inclusive education systems. It highlights best practices, challenges in implementation, and offers key recommendations on harmonising policy frameworks, strengthening monitoring systems, and scaling up cross-border collaboration.

Click here to download the presentation and learn how Southeast Asia is advancing equality, protection, and empowerment for girls in and through education.

The CPRN Summit 2025 not only showcased impactful research but also encouraged deeper partnerships and knowledge sharing across SEAMEO member countries. With an emphasis on inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability, the ideas and initiatives discussed hold the potential to shape actionable policies that can support long-term progress in the region.

The CPRN Summit will be hosted by SEAMEO CECCEP in Bandung, Indonesia in 2026. We look forward to another enriching gathering of researchers, educators, and policymakers to continue advancing collaborative research and innovation across Southeast Asia. Further details will be shared in due course—stay tuned and see you in Bandung!

Dr Vina Adriany, Centre Director of SEAMEO CECCEP, officially confirms SEAMEO CECCEP as the host of the next CPRN Summit in 2026, to be held in Bandung, Indonesia.

Dr Vina Adriany, Centre Director of SEAMEO CECCEP, officially confirms SEAMEO CECCEP as the host of the next CPRN Summit in 2026, to be held in Bandung, Indonesia.