The Chair’s delegation visits Thailand

On 23 June 2023, the Chair’s delegation visited UNESCO’s Bangkok Office to discuss joint research on AI in education. Professor Huang Ronghuai invited Professor Wang Libing, Acting Director of UNESCO’s Asia-Pacific education bureau, to share research insights at the 2023 Global Smart Education Conference.

Professor Huang proposed joint social experiments on AI in education and an AI education community involving ten Thai universities. Professor Wang responded positively. Professor Huang also invited him to contribute as an expert and lecturer to a workshop for leaders of technical and vocational schools in Southeast Asian countries.

That afternoon, the delegation met Feng Junying, Education Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, and Wang Huan. They sought advice from the Embassy’s education team on deepening cooperation between educational institutions in the two countries.

The visit aimed to strengthen exchanges between the Chair and UNESCO’s Bangkok Office on AI in education and broaden areas of cooperation.

Nation-Building 2023 International Conference

On 21 June, Professor Huang Ronghuai, holder of the UNESCO Chair on AI in Education and Director of UNESCO’s International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education, attended the Nation-Building 2023 International Conference in Bangkok by invitation.

The conference addressed global trends, economic prosperity and sustainable development, exploring human-centred strategies for present and future nation-building. Its official programme listed representatives of the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus among opening and keynote contributors. UN Under-Secretary-General and ESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana contributed to the global trends session. Conference and Nation-Building Institute International (NBII) Chairman Professor Kriengsak Chareonwongsak joined government, academic and business representatives from several countries in the exchanges.

A dedicated session examined human-centred education systems that enable full human potential and civility. Professor Huang spoke on holistic education amid digital transformation, noting that digital technologies create opportunities for education while posing challenges for young people’s development. He called for cooperation across society, responsible technology use, effective digital literacy curricula, a healthier online environment and narrower education gaps between less-developed and developed areas. He stressed attention to algorithmic bias, educational equity and inclusion, and the role of digital moral and citizenship education in supporting young people’s healthy, holistic and individual development.

Visit to the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)

On 22 June, the delegation visited the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). Professor Huang met AIT President Professor Kazuo Yamamoto and other experts to discuss cooperation on AI in education and learn about preparations for the International Conference on Smart Learning Environments (ICSLE).

President Yamamoto outlined AIT’s development and transformation goals, including disciplinary reform and studies for smart campus development. He expressed interest in deeper cooperation with the Chair and Beijing Normal University.

Professor Huang reviewed cooperation among UNESCO’s rural education centre, BNU and AIT, introduced the Chair and invited AIT experts to the 2023 Global Smart Education Conference. President Yamamoto responded positively. Both sides saw opportunities to deepen China–Thailand exchanges and advance relevant research and industry development.

Visit to the SEAMEO Secretariat

On 23 June, the delegation visited the Secretariat of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO). Professor Huang met Director Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim and Deputy Director John Arnold SasiSiena to discuss cooperation on the 2023 Global Smart Education Conference and the Global Smart Education Network (GSENet), among other matters.