The Institute for Research and Development in Teaching Profession for ASEAN, Khon Kaen University (IRDTP KKU), in collaboration with Southwest University, People’s Republic of China, successfully organised the “Teacher Capacity Enhancement Programme: Cultivating Future Technology Talents.” The initiative aimed to enhance the capabilities of Thai teachers and educational personnel, preparing them for the digital era, and to promote international academic cooperation between Thailand and China.
The capacity enhancement of teachers and educational personnel was structured into three distinct phases:
**Phase 1: 18–19 October 2025**
This phase involved special lectures and physical and online workshops held at Khon Kaen University. The focus was on “promoting experiences, challenges, and development approaches for science teachers in the modern era.”
**Phase 2: 26 October – 2 November 2025**
Participants travelled to Chongqing, People’s Republic of China, for in-depth workshops at Southwest University. The sessions included lectures and practical activities on key topics such as STEM and Project-based Learning (PBL) education, science inquiry and innovative teaching, the creation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) curriculum for primary and secondary schools, and field studies at schools affiliated with Southwest University.
**Phase 3: 15 November 2025 and 23 November 2025**
This stage focused on knowledge exchange, follow-up, and practical application, held at Khon Kaen University and via online platforms.
On 27 October 2025, during Phase 2, the Thai delegation arrived at Southwest University. They were honoured by the presence of Associate Professor Zhao Yufang, Vice President of Southwest University, who delivered a welcoming address to the Thai participants. The delegation of teachers and educational personnel was led by Assistant Professor Phongthanut Saeju, Director of the Institute for Research and Development in Teaching Profession for ASEAN, Khon Kaen University, accompanied by Khon Kaen University faculty members.
The learning outcomes from the first two phases were further developed during the two sessions of Phase 3. The first session, held on 15 November 2025, involved participants jointly discussing and drafting new lesson plans. The second session, on 23 November 2025, provided a platform for participants from across the nation to present their newly developed teaching and learning plans, leveraging their training experiences in STEM, Project-based Learning, scientific inquiry processes, and the design of AI curricula for primary and secondary levels.
Assistant Professor Dr. Phongthanut Sae-ju, Director of IRDTP KKU, alongside Khon Kaen University executives and faculty members, served as group facilitators, providing close consultation. Participating KKU faculty included:
- Assistant Professor Dr.Romklao Jantrasee, Assistant Director for Professional Development and Academic Services, IRDTP KKU, and Lecturer in Science Education, Faculty of Education, KKU.
- Assistant Professor Dr.Jiradawan Hantula, Lecturer in Science Education, Faculty of Education, KKU.
- Assistant Professor Dr.Arunee Sangsuwan, Lecturer in Science Education, Faculty of Education, KKU.
- Assistant Professor Dr.Chaiyapong Rueangsuwan, Lecturer in Physics, Faculty of Science, KKU.
- Dr. Narueporn Wuttipun, Lecturer in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, Faculty of Education, KKU.
Furthermore, the programme was honoured to receive in-depth suggestions from Professor Jun Zhang from Southwest University, People’s Republic of China, and Professor George Zhou from the University of Windsor, Canada, which substantially enhanced the quality of the lesson plans.
The closing ceremony was formally held on 23 November 2025, with over 100 participants in total. Assistant Professor Dr.Phongthanut Sae-ju delivered the concluding remarks, summarising the overall results of the programme. He stressed the vital importance of Thai-Chinese cooperation in elevating the quality of Thai teachers to meet the challenges of the digital world.
Throughout the duration of the programme, participants developed new perspectives and enhanced their digital-era teaching skills in areas including STEM, Project-based Learning, and AI curriculum design. The profound exchange of experiences with experts from both Thailand and China ensures that the acquired knowledge can be sustainably and practically applied to raise the standard of instruction within the Thai educational context.
The Institute for Research and Development in Teaching Profession for ASEAN, Khon Kaen University, is committed to supporting sustainable partnerships (SDG17) and enhancing teacher quality to create a learning society across the ASEAN region (SDG4). This collaborative programme is anticipated to continue in 2026.
