SEAMEO QITEP in Science (SEAQIS) convened the 17th Governing Board Meeting (GBM) on 29 September 2026 at Voco Hotel Bandung, bringing together Governing Board Members and representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Timor-Leste. The meeting served as a platform to review SEAQIS’ programme achievements and future initiatives, while strengthening collaboration among SEAMEO Member Countries.
The meeting highlighted SEAQIS’ annual accomplishments and proposed programmes for Fiscal Year 2027/2028. Discussions covered professional development for teachers, STEM learning for early childhood education, climate change education, coding and artificial intelligence, and other initiatives responding to the evolving needs of education systems in Southeast Asia. The Governing Board Members also highlighted the importance of sustained support and collaboration to ensure that SEAQIS programmes contribute to meaningful and lasting improvements in education.
The meeting also discussed the continued development of regional STEM initiatives and opportunities to expand their reach across Member Countries. Particular attention was given to strengthening collaboration, sharing good practices, and ensuring that STEM learning resources and professional development programmes remain relevant to diverse educational contexts across Southeast Asia.
Another highlight of the meeting was the introduction of VeeBO, an AI-assisted platform developed by SEAQIS to support teacher professional development. Using video or audio classroom recordings, VeeBO provides structured feedback on teaching practices, with AI-assisted analysis validated by experienced facilitators. The Members also explored opportunities for contextualisation and potential collaboration with Cambodia, Philippines, Thailand, and Timor-Leste. The introduction of VeeBO reflects SEAQIS’ commitment to exploring responsible and innovative uses of technology to strengthen teacher development and enhance the quality of teaching and learning.
The 17th Governing Board Meeting reaffirmed the importance of strengthening regional cooperation, sustaining professional development, and expanding access to meaningful STEM learning across Southeast Asia. Through stronger partnerships, evidence-based programme development, sustained teacher support, and responsible innovation, SEAQIS continues to advance its role in supporting quality science and STEM education across the region.
Written by Salsabila Nadhifah
