On July 4, 2025, the ASEAN Institute for Teacher Profession Research and Development at Khon Kaen University officially launched the 2025 KNUE-KKU UNITWIN Teacher Training Program for Quality Teacher Education under the theme “AI for Teachers: Transforming Classrooms for the Future.” The opening ceremony was presided over by Asst. Prof. Natthasamon Thanakulrangsarit, Vice President for Legal Affairs and Corporate Communication, and was attended by Prof. Dr. Younghoon Kim, Director of the UNESCO UNITWIN Program from Korea National University of Education, along with Asst. Prof. Sakawduan Sathum, Deputy Director of the ASEAN Institute. Distinguished speakers from South Korea, Japan, and Thailand joined the event, alongside teachers and participants at the ASEAN Institute, Khon Kaen University.
This training builds upon the long-standing collaboration between Korea National University of Education (KNUE) and Khon Kaen University, which began in 2019 under the framework of UNESCO’s UNITWIN Program. The initiative aims to enhance the capabilities of teachers and education personnel by equipping them with skills to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into classroom practices and adapt to the evolving landscape of 21st-century education.
Asst. Prof. Natthasamon Thanakulrangsarit noted that the project aligns closely with Khon Kaen University’s 2025–2028 strategic plan, which emphasizes educational advancement, development of globally competent professionals, impactful research and innovation, and the elevation of the university’s international presence. She stated, “This is not just a training program. It is a platform for collaboration, research, innovation, and preparing teachers for the 21st century — directly tied to KKU’s strategic priorities.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maitree Inprasits, a senior researcher at the ASEAN Institute, remarked that the program represents a significant step forward in the ongoing cooperation between KNUE and KKU under the UNESCO-supported UNITWIN framework. He highlighted the integration of AI content into professional teacher development through a series of intensive lectures and hands-on workshops over three days. These sessions offer participants a valuable opportunity to acquire new, relevant knowledge, share experiences, and foster long-term professional networks.
Asst. Prof. Sakawduan Sathum added that the program is backed by a strong partnership network spanning six countries. Partner institutions include Korea National University of Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Souphanouvong University in Laos, Vietnam National University – University of Education, Mahidol University (Kanchanaburi Campus), and the University of the Philippines. She emphasized that the program aims to foster collaborative efforts in advancing the quality of teaching and teacher development both locally and internationally, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).
Held from July 4 to 6, 2025, the training features a variety of forward-looking topics such as “Mathematical Thinking as a Foundation for AI in the Teacher Training Program,” “ORANGE Software for Educational Applications,” “Teachers Who Research with AI: Designing the Future of Mathematics Education,” “AI-Powered Scientific Visualization: Turning Complex Concepts into Clear Classroom Images,” and “AI and Teachers’ Decision-Making: Defining the Boundaries of Appropriate Use.” Practical workshops include sessions on “Scanimation Unplugged Coding” and “Language for AI: Prompt to be Prompt,” led by experts from Korea, Japan, and Thailand.
