Educational Centers in ASEAN Countries and Their Implications for Thai Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

          The purposes of this article are as follows: 1) to explore educational centers in the member countries of ASEAN and their missions and 2) to explore their implications for Thai higher education institutions. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is established in 1967 as a regional intergovernmental organization with members comprising 10 countries in Southeast Asia, namely, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.  The three main purposes of the establishment of ASEAN are to promote cooperation among member countries in 1) politics and security, 2) economy, and 3) socio-culture.  Prior to the establishment of ASEAN, the Southeast Asian countries signed an agreement to establish the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO, 1965). The main purpose of this organization is to promote regional cooperation in education, science, and culture.  Under the agreement, each of the SEAMEO member countries is responsible to set up and manage at least one educational center. At present, there are 26 educational centers in the member countries all of which must have their names starting with SEAMEO. Of these 26 centers, six centers have programs and activities specifically relevant for higher education institutions in member countries.  These centers are the following: INNOCH, RECSAM, RELC, RIHED, SEARCA, and TROPMED.  They are explored and described in more details.