Pooling the Strengths of China and ASEAN to Discuss Rural Development and Educational Transformation —Forum on “Smart Villages and Education for Rural Transformation” Successfully Held
Release time：2025-09-04
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On the afternoon of August 19, the Parallel Forum on Smart Villages and Rural Education Transformation of the 2025 Global Smart Education Conference was successfully held at Beijing Normal University. Nearly one hundred participants attended onsite, including policymakers, representatives from universities, international organizations, vocational and technical schools, industry, and frontline teachers from China, eleven Southeast Asian countries, and several African countries and regions. Together, they explored key issues such as the future vision of smart villages and pathways for rural education transformation, opportunities, challenges, and innovative solutions in leveraging digital technology to empower rural education, international experiences in the digital transformation of technical and vocational education to promote sustainable rural development, and the opportunities and challenges of rural STEM education. The forum was co-organized by the UNESCO International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education (INRULED) and the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Technical Education Development (SEAMEO TED), with support from the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Sufficiency Economy Philosophy for Sustainability (SEAMEO SEPS) and the SEAMEO Regional Centre for STEM Education (SEAMEO STEM-ED).
During the keynote session, Ms. Duriya Amatavivat, Director of the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Sufficiency Economy Philosophy for Sustainability (SEAMEO SEPS), elaborated on the core concepts of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. She emphasized the importance of the three principles—moderation, reasonableness, and prudence—in driving economic, environmental, and social transformation in rural areas. She explored ways to integrate this philosophy into educational practice to guide education policies and curriculum design, thereby better serving rural development. She also introduced the Centre’s key work and achievements in capacity building, research and knowledge production, community engagement, and cross-regional cooperation, showcasing its practical experience in advancing rural education and sustainable development.
Prof. Liu Ji, from the School of Education at Shaanxi Normal University, focused on the critical role of rural populations and countries of the Global South in achieving the Sustainable Development Agenda. Through an analysis of global urban–rural learning data, he highlighted that both rural “stock” populations and “flow” populations face a shortage of quality learning opportunities in the digital era. He proposed the initiative of “digital solutions to digital problems”, aiming to improve educational access and learning quality for rural populations through digital means and effectively enhance learning outcomes.
Ms. Duriya Amatavivat, Director of the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Sufficiency Economy Philosophy for Sustainability (SEAMEO SEPS)
Prof. Liu Ji, from the School of Education at Shaanxi Normal University
During the case report session, Dr. Morn Kritsachai Somsaman, Director of the SEAMEO Regional Centre for STEM Education (SEAMEO STEM-ED), shared the main learning challenges faced by several rural primary schools in Chiang Mai, Nong Khai, and Bangkok, Thailand. These challenges include low student motivation, skills training overly focused on current industry demands, and underutilization of learning resources. He introduced innovative practices in context-specific rural STEM education that leverage local environments and resources, incorporate design thinking, and actively involve parents and communities, thereby enhancing students’ learning interest and engagement.
Dr. LU Yao, Vice Dean of the International College at Yunnan Agricultural University, introduced Yunnan Province’s key role in agricultural cooperation with Southeast Asian countries and shared innovative practices in green and smart agriculture in the context of smart villages. She also elaborated on the projects carried out by the China–ASEAN Education and Training Centre in capacity building, and how these initiatives support the advancement of rural education and regional development.
Dr. Nithiananthini Kumarawel, Deputy Director of the Educational Resources and Technology Division at the Ministry of Education, Malaysia, shared Malaysia’s policy initiatives and practical experiences in promoting educational digital transformation and cultivating digitally fluent students. She focused in particular on the opportunities and challenges presented by AI-enabled classrooms, as well as how related initiatives contribute to enhancing students’ digital literacy and innovative capabilities.
Ms. TIAN Yanli, Principal of Tianzigexinglong Experimental Primary School in Guizhou, shared the school’s transformation journey, which, under the leadership of founder Mr. Xiao Shijian, evolved from early volunteer-supported education programs into an independently operated school. Through concrete examples, Ms. Tian vividly demonstrated how the school integrates technology with local education innovations, practicing the educational philosophy of “making technology come alive”, thereby offering a replicable model for rural education.
Mr. Morn Kritsachai Somsaman, Director of the SEAMEO Regional Centre for STEM Education (SEAMEO STEM-ED)
Dr. LU Yao, Vice Dean of the International College at Yunnan Agricultural University
Dr. Nithiananthini Kumarawel, Deputy Director of the Educational Resources and Technology Division at the Ministry of Education, Malaysia
Ms. TIAN Yanli, Principal of Tianzige Xinglong Experimental Primary School, Guizhou Province, China
During the roundtable discussion, senior education officials and representatives from Southeast Asian countries exchanged insights on rural sustainable development through vocational and technical education. Participants included Mr. Muhammad Fandy Osman, Senior Education Officer at Brunei Polytechnic; Mr. Chin Sam Ath, Deputy Director of Policy at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, Cambodia; Mr. Eka Nurhidayat, Director of Cooperation Affairs at Universitas Majalengka, Indonesia; Ts. Khairil Azhar Bin Mohd Nor, Principal of ILP Community College, Malaysia; Ms. Karen B. Cue, Director of Local and International Affairs, Philippines; and five national representatives from the SEAMEO Workshop for Principals of Vocational Education Institutions. From multiple perspectives—including policy-making, academic cooperation, community engagement, and partnerships—they shared mechanisms and innovative approaches for advancing rural sustainable development through vocational and technical education. The discussion also explored international experiences in the digital transformation of vocational education, as well as the opportunities and challenges of digital and green transitions in this sector.
Panel discussion
As one of the thematic forums of the Global Smart Education Conference, this forum not only deepened cutting-edge thinking on rural education development in the context of digital transformation but also inspired participants to explore practical approaches to educational equity and inclusion. By bringing together diverse perspectives and innovative solutions, the forum promoted the enhancement of innovation and adaptability within education systems, providing actionable directions and feasible solutions to address the complex challenges of the digital era and accelerate the transformation and sustainable development of rural education.The forum was co-chaired by Dr. ZHAO Yuchi, Executive Director, UNESCO INRULED; Mr. Khat Prumsochetra, Deputy Director, SEAMEO TED; and Dr. QI Xinjian, Assistant Director, UNESCO INRULED.
Dr. ZHAO Yuchi, Executive Director, UNESCO INRULED Mr. Khat Prumsochetra, Deputy Director, SEAMEO TED Dr. QI Xinjian, Assistant Director, UNESCO INRULED
