KHON KAEN, THAILAND – Khon Kaen University’s Institute for Research and Development in Teaching Profession for ASEAN (IRDTP for ASEAN) has partnered with Southwest University in China to launch a professional development program aimed at preparing educators for future technologies. The initiative seeks to enhance the skills of teachers for the digital age and foster international academic cooperation between the two nations.

The "Teacher Capacity Enhancement Program: Cultivating Future Technology Talents" involved more than 100 participants. The group included faculty from Khon Kaen University and other major Thai institutions such as Naresuan, Thaksin, Mahasarakham, Burapha, Suan Dusit, and Chiang Mai universities, as well as teachers, educational supervisors, and school administrators from across Thailand.

The program is divided into three phases. The first phase, held from October 18-19, 2025, consisted of online and in-person lectures and workshops at Khon Kaen University. Sessions focused on the challenges and strategies for professional development among science teachers.

For the second phase, from October 26 to November 2, 2025, participants traveled to Southwest University in Chongqing, China, for intensive, hands-on training. The workshops covered topics such as STEM education, project-based learning, and innovative teaching methods. A key focus was on creating an Artificial Intelligence (AI) curriculum for primary and secondary schools, which included field studies at schools affiliated with Southwest University.

The third and final phase, scheduled for November 2025, will be conducted at Khon Kaen University and online, focusing on knowledge sharing, follow-up, and practical application of the training.

An official opening ceremony for the China-based training was held on October 27, 2025, at Southwest University. The university's Vice President, Associate Professor Zhao Yufang, welcomed the Thai delegation. In his address, Assistant Professor Dr. Phongthanat Sae-joo, Director of IRDTP for ASEAN, highlighted the importance of such collaborations in the technology era. In this first year of cooperation between IRDTP and Southwest University, we hope this program marks the beginning of continuous teacher development and serves as a platform to inspire Thai teachers to learn and grow internationally,Dr. Sae-joo stated.

The program has already facilitated a significant international exchange of knowledge and experience in teacher development. Participants have reportedly gained new skills in using digital technology for teaching and have developed innovative learning strategies for sustainable use in their schools.

The IRDTP for ASEAN affirmed its ongoing commitment to developing educational partnerships to improve teacher quality and support a learning society in the ASEAN region, aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal for Quality Education (SDG4)

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