On 10–11 July 2026, the Institute for Research and Development in Teaching Profession for ASEAN (IRDTP) at Khon Kaen University (KKU) partnered with the Korea National University of Education (KNUE), Republic of Korea, to organise the “2026 KNUE-KKU Teacher Training Program for Quality Teacher Education”. Held under the theme “From AI Integration to Educational Impact: Empowering Teachers for Smart Classrooms”, the workshop convened at the IRDTP Building, Khon Kaen University.

At the opening ceremony, Asst. Prof. Pongthanach Sae-joo, Ph.D., Director of the IRDTP, delivered the opening remarks, formally inaugurating the event. Prof. Young-Hoon Kim, Ph.D., Director of the KNUE-UNESCO UNITWIN Programme, then gave a welcoming address highlighting the enduring partnership between Khon Kaen University and KNUE.

Asst. Prof. Pongthanach Sae-joo, Ph.D. stated:

“This year’s programme marks another significant milestone in the collaboration between our two institutions. Beyond teacher professional development, we have integrated training with collaborative research, combining capacity building with evidence-based research. Our goal is not only to enhance the professional learning experience of our participants but also to generate valuable knowledge that will contribute to the ongoing improvement of teacher education curricula and future educational development.”

The training programme featured lectures and workshops led by prominent educational specialists, researchers, and technology experts from both South Korea and Thailand. The event aimed to build a collaborative network to improve instructional quality and teacher professionalism. It focused on enhancing digital competencies and integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into teaching, preparing educators to navigate change in the modern classroom.  The initiative is divided into two phases:

• Phase 1 (10–11 July 2026): Focused on promoting equitable professional development and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration through knowledge-sharing sessions delivered by international and local experts to teachers and educational personnel nationwide.
• Phase 2 (19 September 2026): Will involve follow-up sessions and reflection, allowing participants to share their classroom experiences with AI. These sessions will feature in-depth, subject-specific focus groups in Mathematics, Language, Science, and Computing.

• WORKSHOP 1: Machine Learning as a Learning Tool: Designing Problem Situations
  to Develop Learners’ Thinking Skills
  ● Asst. Prof. Dr. Narumon Changsri Assistant Director of Research and Innovation
  Development, Institute for Research and Development in Teaching Profession for
  ASEAN, Khon Kaen University
  ● Asst. Prof. Nisakorn Boonsena, Ph.D.
  ● Chanika Senawongsa, Ph.D.
  ● Jitlada Jaikla, Ph.D.

  WORKSHOP 2: AI-Powered Collaborative Reflection for Teachers
  ● Asst. Prof. Amonrat Manoban
  ● Asst. Prof. Dr. Watchara Suyara Assistant Director of International Affairs and
  Corporate Communications, Institute for Research and Development in Teaching
  Profession for ASEAN, Khon Kaen University
  ● Asst. Prof. Phatchara Phantharakphong, Ph.D.
  ● Asst. Prof. Benjaporn Laowongsee, Ph.D.
  ● Asst. Prof. Sukhontarat Soythongdee
  ● Asst. Prof. Nareenard Klinhom
  ● Asst. Prof. Arunee Sangsuwan, Ph.D.

  WORKSHOP 3: Creative Sci-Teaching with AI & Simulation
  ● Asst. Prof. Dr. Romklao Jantharasee Assistant Director of Professional Development
  and Academic Services
  ● Asst. Prof. Dr. Jiradawan Hantula
  ● Asst. Prof. Arunee Sangsuwan, Ph.D.

  WORKSHOP 4: How AI gen AI under Ethic & Policy
  ● Asst. Prof. Dr. Phongthanat Sae-joo Director of Institute for Research and
  Development in Teaching Profession for ASEAN, and lecturer in the Department of
  Computer Education, Faculty of Education, Khon Kaen University
  ● Suphachoke Sonsilphong, Ph.D., lecturer in the Master of Science Program in
  Health Data Science and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University

This initiative is part of an ongoing collaboration between the IRDTP at Khon Kaen University and the Korea National University of Education (KNUE), which has been sustained through the UNESCO-KNUE UNITWIN Programme since 2019. Supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), this annual programme features academic conferences and training workshops designed to enhance teaching methodologies and drive joint research. It serves as a crucial step in elevating Thai teacher education to meet future global transformations, supporting lifelong learning opportunities (SDG 4) and fostering global partnerships for sustainable development (SDG 17). The event attracted more than 82 participating teachers and educational personnel.

The workshop featured several distinguished academic presentations, including:

• “AI and Future Education: Cultivating Teacher Capabilities Reclaiming Narrative Agency in AI-mediated Era” by Prof. Young-Hoon Kim, Ph.D. (Department of Geography Education and Director of the KNUE-UNESCO UNITWIN Programme, KNUE).
• “Beyond the Tool: Mediation and Learner-Centered Modeling in the Age of AI” by Assoc. Prof. Jihyun Hwang, Ph.D. (Department of Mathematics Education, KNUE).
• “Open Class as a Microsystem for Mathematical Thinking in the AI Era” by Assoc. Prof. Maitree Inprasitha, Ph.D. (High-Performance Researcher, IRDTP, KKU).