10th SEAMEO - University of Tsukuba Symposium

BACKGROUND

For almost two years the COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented conditions in all areas of social life and changed the educational landscape globally.

Since the start of the pandemic in the month of March 2020 till today, the teachers had gone through a process of transformation of their teaching styles through adopting the online mode of teaching with putting extra efforts and hard work. Due to this total and abrupt change, teachers faced several vicissitudes: using new technology for teaching, tutoring, and motivating students from a distance; significant technology-mediated learning, implementing instruction with technology, and effective communication in virtual environments. Yet, most of the teachers began to provide educational care in a virtual mode without experience and prior training for this challenge.

After the reopening of the educational institutions in a ‘new normal’ setting, they are keeping both online and physical classes schedule side by side for the safety of students, giving extra time to cover up the syllabus. Adaptations and innovations were required at the university and teacher training institution to prepare the teachers to cope with the challenges. The year 2022 still poses many challenges for education due to the prolonged impact of COVID-19.

In addition, the year of 2022 marks the 20th Anniversary of the Center for Research on International Cooperation in Educational Development (CRICED) – the University of Tsukuba (UT) – one of the most active SEAMEO Affiliate Members since 2011.

OBJECTIVES

In response to this current challenging situation of COVID-19 pandemic, the SEAMEO Secretariat in collaboration with the University of Tsukuba and supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Japan will convene the 10th SEAMEO-University of Tsukuba (UT) Symposium on 10-12 February 2022.

Objectives of the 10th SEAMEO-UT Symposium:

1. Provide a platform to showcase the best practices of teacher education and training in responding to the pandemic and school closures in the region;
2. Identify opportunities and challenges faced by teacher education and training institutions in Southeast Asia during the pandemic period; and
3. Consolidate the policy changes and ways forward for “New Normal” in teacher education and training institutions.

Under the sub theme ‘Reimagining Teacher Education and Training in the New Normal Post-COVID-19,’ this symposium intends to cover issues surrounding, but not limited to:

1. Pre-service teacher education: Before, during, and after COVID-19.
2. In-service teacher training: Before, during, and after COVID-19.
3. The policies, tools, and strategies that could be suggested to policymakers to improve pre-service and in-service teacher education/training in the New Normal way of life.
4. The contribution of education stakeholders in shaping pre-service and in-service teacher education/training practices in Southeast Asia and beyond in the post COVID-19.

The 10th SEAMEO-University of Tsukuba Symposium will be convened as a part of the CRICED 20 Years Anniversary Events.

CRICED 20 Years Anniversary Events: back to back with the 10th SEAMEO-UT Symposium