The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) is a regional intergovernmental organization established in 1965 among governments of Southeast Asian countries to promote regional cooperation in education, science and culture in the region.

As an organization that has continued to nurture human capacities and explored the peoples’ fullest potential, the SEAMEO maintains its work and aspirations for development with peoples of the region to make lives better in quality and equity in education, preventive health education, culture and tradition, information and communication technology, languages, poverty alleviation and agriculture and natural resources.

The organisation's highest policy-making body is the SEAMEO Council, which comprises the 11 Southeast Asian education ministers. The SEAMEO Secretariat is located in Bangkok, Thailand.

 

Brunei Darussalam Cambodia Indonesia Lao PDR
       
Malaysia Republic of the Union of Myanmar Philippines Singapore
       
 
Thailand Timor-Leste Socialist Republic of Vietnam  

 

Vision


SEAMEO envisions to become the leading organisation for enhancing understanding and cooperation in education, science, and culture and promoting sustainable human resources for a better quality of life in Southeast Asia and beyond.

 

Mission


SEAMEO aims to enhance regional understanding, cooperation and development, and unity of purpose  among member countries in education, culture, and science through promoting programme excellence, providing a platform for policy dialogues, and fostering leadership and collaboration with partners and stakeholders.

 

Motto


"Leading through Learning" 

 

SEAMEO Priority Areas (2021-2030)


Education

 

Science

 

Culture

 

SEAMEO Strategic Plan 2021-2030

 

Core Values of SEAMEO


The Core Values of SEAMEO are:

Attitudes
  • Respect for cultural diversity
  • Belief in people
  • Commitment
  • Passion for work
  • Flexibility
Characteristics
  • Integrity
  • Professionalism
  • Being collaborative
  • Being inclusive
Behaviours
  • Strives for excellence
  • Proactive
  • Service-oriented
  • Empowered

 

Core Competencies


SEAMEO prides itself in its technical and scientific expertise in various fields of specialisation, its strength in governance and management, partnership, networking and collaborative skills. It sets the pace in research, creativity and innovative programmes in education, science and culture in the region.

SEAMEO strives for excellence in the following Core Competencies:

  1. Communication, creativity, collaboration, and competitiveness
  2. Technical, scientific, and research expertise in specific areas of specialisation
  3. Flexibility and responsiveness to change
  4. Governance, management, and ability to capture the audience’s attention

STRATEGIC THEMES

  1. Regional leadership and international and global visibility
  2. Programme excellence and SDG relevance
  3. Strategic partnerships, stakeholder engagement, and linkages
  4. Digital transformation and rapid adaptation to change

STRATEGIC GOALS

  1. Work with ASEAN to ensure successful alignment
  2. Establish the SEAMEO brand by defining its role
  3. Continue supporting all the SEAMEO units region-wide
  4. Use international institutions’ efforts as programme benchmarks
  5. Make organisational visibility a priority

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

  1. Foster closer collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat
  2. Collaborate with partners to achieve the SDGs and the SEAMEO Education, Science, and Culture Agenda
  3. Strengthen the SEAMEO units and encourage national and regional development
  4. Expand and deepen collaborations with member countries and partner institutions
  5. Enhance networks and strategic partnerships

 

Funding


The Operational Budget for the SEAMEO Secretariat is underwritten by the Member Countries whereby the respective annual share is determined by the Asian Development Bank contribution index. The Operational Budget of the TROPMED Central Network likewise is equally shared by the SEAMEO Member Countries.

The Centres’ operational budget, capital and annually recurring costs of each Centre are underwritten by their host countries.

The Special Fund is a central fund administered by the SEAMEO Secretariat in order to support regular programmes and activities of SEAMEO Centres. Such programmes and activities include:

The SEAMEO Educational Development Fund (SEAMEO EDF) is the lifeblood of the Organization and has been established to serve as the central repository of gifts for SEAMEO to support the requirements of Special Funds and other Funds.

Other Funds have been established to support specific programmes and projects of various SEAMEO units which are not covered by the Operational and Special Funds.