The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) aims to develop, maintain and continuously strengthen capacities in STEM education, serving as regional knowledge repository and creator through high-quality research in STEM education both in Thailand and within the SEAMEO region in a way that builds evidences of good practices, experiments and demonstrates pragmatic solutions, and guides effective policy formulation and capacity building of policymakers, professionals, and practitioners. These guiding statements were established as a result of identified STEM challenges in Southeast Asia.

These challenges include limited policy attention and collaboration amongst different ministries, which also encompasses inadequate financial resources to promote STEM education. This lack of evidence-based attitudes which started from the ground up, resulted in non-comprehensive curriculums and teaching materials, including insufficient qualified educational personnel.

Particularly, the regional issues that SEAMEO STEM-ED pinpointed comprise of

Concern on PISA scores, with a need to improve Science & Mathematics performance for students.
Sustainable Development to move away from resource-intensive to a more balanced paradigm of development.
Need for Science & Technology expertise to escape the middle-income trap through an upgrade of equipment and improved skilled workforce.

The SEAMEO STEM-ED Centre started operations as of November 1st, 2019, and had since began its mission of uplifting the capacity and capabilities of STEM Education in the Southeast Asian region. With the assistance of our widespread networks, including member and affiliate countries, public and private institutions, or even non-profit educational influencers, SEAMEO STEM-ED affirm its commitment to the advancement of STEM education.