SEAMEO QITEP in Science (SEAQIS) along with UNESCO held an online meeting on 31 March 2026 to explore collaboration in advancing STEM education. The meeting served as a strategic platform to identify potential areas of partnership in strengthening STEM education at regional and global levels.
During the meeting, SEAQIS presented its STEM programme, focusing on strengthening teacher capacity, developing learning resources, and promoting innovation in science education across the region through various training, conferences, and regional initiatives. In line with this, the Section for Basic Science, Research, Innovation, and Engineering, UNESCO shared its global initiatives connecting science clubs worldwide to promote hands-on STEM learning, emphasising youth engagement, capacity building, and access to resources through digital platforms, training programmes, mentorship, and international collaboration. Both parties highlighted their commitment to advancing STEM education through capacity building, resource development, and collaborative learning.
Building on this alignment, SEAQIS and UNESCO explored several potential areas for collaboration. SEAQIS expressed its readiness to support the development of UNESCO’s digital learning platform by contributing a range of learning resources and knowledge products that have been developed through its programmes. In addition, SEAQIS conveyed its commitment to supporting the implementation and expansion of the UNESCO Science Clubs Network, particularly in strengthening its presence across the Southeast Asian region. Both institutions are also currently coordinating the proposed implementation of a Train-the-Trainers programme in the Asia-Pacific region, planned for 2027, as part of their joint efforts to enhance capacity building and foster sustainable collaboration in STEM education.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continue discussions and explore concrete collaboration opportunities. By leveraging their respective strengths, SEAQIS and UNESCO aim to create a more sustainable and impactful advancements in STEM education across the region and beyond.
Written by Salsabila Nadhifah
