On July 4, 2025, Institute for Research and Development in Teaching Profession for ASEAN (IRDTP) at Khon Kaen University hosted the opening ceremony for the 2025 KNUE-KKU UNITWIN Teacher Training Program for Quality Teacher Education, under the theme “AI for Teachers: Transforming Classrooms for the Future.” Ms. Natsamol Tanakulrungsarit, Vice President for Legal and Communications at Khon Kaen University, presided over the ceremony. She was joined by Prof. Dr. Younghoon Kim, Director of the UNESCO UNITWIN Program from Korea National University of Education (KNUE), and Assistant Professor Sakowduen Sathum, Deputy Director of IRDTP KKU. Distinguished speakers from South Korea, Japan, and Thailand, along with teachers and participants, attended the event at IRDTP, Khon Kaen University.

This training program builds upon the ongoing collaboration between KNUE and Khon Kaen University, which began in 2019 under the framework of the UNESCO UNITWIN Program. The initiative aims to enhance the capabilities of teachers and educational personnel in applying artificial intelligence technology to learning management and adapting their roles to the evolving landscape of 21st-century education.

Mrs. Natsamol Tanakulrungsarit stated that this project aligns with Khon Kaen University's 2025-2028 strategy, which focuses on educational development, fostering highly competent international personnel, driving research and innovation to address societal needs, and elevating the university's role on the global stage. She emphasized, “This project is not merely a training platform; it is a platform for collaboration, research, innovation development, and preparing 21st-century teachers, connecting with several key objectives of KKU’s strategy.”

Associate Professor Dr. Maitree Inprasitha, a high-performing researcher at IRDTP KKU, revealed that this project marks another significant step in the collaboration between KNUE and Khon Kaen University under the UNESCO-supported UNITWIN Program. He noted, “The integration of artificial intelligence content into teacher professional development through intensive lectures and workshops over three days provides a crucial opportunity to enhance new, up-to-date knowledge, exchange experiences, and develop a sustainable professional network.”

Assistant Professor Sakowduen Sathum, Deputy Director of IRDTP KKU, highlighted the program’s strong collaborative network, which includes six institutions: Korea National University of Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Souphanouvong University (Laos), Vietnam National University – University of Education, Mahidol University Kanchanaburi Campus, and the University of the Philippines.

She added, “This project aims to collectively form a network for improving the quality of teaching and learning and developing the teaching profession both domestically and internationally, aligning with UN SDGs 17 and 4.”

The training, held from July 4-6, 2025, covers interesting topics such as “Mathematical Thinking as a Foundation for AI in the Teacher Training Program,” “ORANGE Software for Educational Applications,” “Teachers Who Research with AI: Designing the Future of Mathematics Education,” “AI-Powered Scientific Visualization: Turning Complex Concepts into Clear Classroom Images,” “AI and Teachers’ Decision-Making: Defining the Boundaries of Appropriate Use,” and practical workshops on “Scanimation Unplugged Coding” and “Language for AI: Prompt to be prompt.” Experts from South Korea, Japan, and Thailand are serving as instructors.

SDG4: Quality Education | SDG17: Partnerships for the Goals.