SEAQIS demonstrated its continued commitment to advancing cross-border collaboration in science education by participating in the Higher Education Internationalisation Capacity Enhancement Workshop, held in Beijing, China, from 23–24 July 2025. The event was organised by the China–Foreign Cultural Exchange Centre and Harbour International Education Technology Co., Ltd. under the China Centre for International People-to-People Exchange, Ministry of Education, as part of China’s national initiative to cultivate globally engaged talents.
The two-day forum brought together over 170 participants from more than 100 institutions across various countries. Representing SEAQIS, Rizwan Darmawan, Head of the Partnership and Publication Division, took part in the forum alongside a number of distinguished speakers, including Pu Yuepu, Director of the Expert Steering Committee of the High-level International Talent Training Innovation and Practice Project and former Vice President of Southeast University; Zhao Yuchi, Executive Director of the UNESCO International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education; and Michelle Laurice Aguas, Project Officer of SEAMEO Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts (SPAFA).
Speaking in the session “How Higher Education Institutions Could Effectively Seek Approaches to Partner with International Organisations”, Rizwan outlined strategic opportunities for collaboration between Chinese universities and regional bodies such as the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (SEAMEO). The SEAMEO 7 Priority Areas, spanning education, science, and culture, were introduced, along with the thematic strengths of the 26 SEAMEO Centres across the region. The importance of recognising the diversity of national contexts and institutional expertise was emphasised as a key foundation for building long-term and meaningful partnerships.
Examples of SEAQIS’ concrete collaboration with Chinese institutions were also shared, including partnerships with science museums and universities, as well as the Centre’s active involvement in the Belt and Road International Science Education Consortium (BRISEC). These collaborations have resulted in various impactful initiatives, such as student STEM competitions, international maker camps, internship programmes, and teacher training workshops.
As part of the forum’s activities, Rizwan Darmawan was interviewed by Jiemian News, a leading Chinese media outlet. In the interview, he spoke about how recent technological developments have accelerated the shift toward integrated digital education models. SEAQIS’ efforts in contextualising STEM education to address real-world challenges were also highlighted, along with the need for continuous upskilling of science teachers in response to emerging technologies such as AI and automation. To this end, the
importance of cross-country collaboration was emphasised as a key strategy to ensure no region is left behind in adapting to global transformations. Through this international forum, SEAQIS strengthened its role as a regional leader in science education collaboration, promoting a culturally responsive and partnership-driven approach to future-ready education.
Writer: Rizwan Darmawan
