GPE KIX Grows Regional Education Cooperation in South Asia
The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) recently hosted a landmark three-day constituency meeting in Vietnam that brought together GPE focal points from 36 countries across the Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Central Asia and North Africa regions. The meeting provided these GPE partner countries a platform to share experiences, discuss education sector challenges and enhance networks and coordination among constituency members to address shared challenges and develop stronger education solutions.
The GPE KIX team was represented by Sangay Jamtsho, Senior Program Officer for GPE KIX at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC); Jose Luis Canelhas, Coordinator of the KIX Eastern Europe, Middle East, North Africa, Asia and Pacific (EMAP) Hub; and Aditi Desai, EMAP Knowledge Lead for the Southeast Asia subregion.
"During the sessions, we presented our work on GPE KIX projects and Hub activities in the EMAP region to GPE focal persons while also gathering valuable feedback on how GPE KIX can support strengthening national education systems,” noted Sangay. “Discussions focused on enhancing connections between GPE KIX activities and the region's education transformation priorities and looking into opportunities to establish stronger ties with national institutions for greater impact of GPE KIX initiatives."
The presentations were well-received by attendees, with several GPE focal persons familiar with GPE KIX activities sharing positive experiences about the program's contributions to their countries' education systems.
Mr. Tshewang Dorji, Senior Planning Officer and GPE Focal Point for Bhutan at the Policy & Planning Division, Ministry of Education & Skills Development, stated:
"The KIX Hub and Project activities are, in my opinion, very beneficial and important for Bhutan. They benefit us in establishing a link between local policy implementation and education research, which is currently lagging in Bhutan."
Mr. Tshewang Dorji, Senior Planning Officer and GPE Focal Point for Bhutan
Similarly, Aishath Hassan, Education Development Professional and GPE Partner Country Focal Point for Maldives at the Policy Planning & Research Division, Ministry of Education, highlighted the program's impact:
"GPE KIX work in the Maldives has led to a number of policy uptake opportunities. Many stem from the data and evidence gathered during learning cycles, which have influenced policy decisions. In addition, Rapid Customised Country Support training has helped create awareness and increase practical application of 21st-century skills amongst the staff of National Institute of Education (NIE)."
Aishath Hassan, Education Development Professional and GPE Partner Country Focal Point for Maldives
Newly appointed focal persons and representatives from countries recently joining GPE also expressed appreciation for GPE KIX's activities and look forward to engaging in GPE KIX initiatives while taking full advantage of the opportunities on offer.
The visit was also an opportunity to highlight GPE KIX's growing impact in Vietnam, reflected through several research initiatives:
- Hanoi National University of Education and RMIT University Vietnam are collaborating on a groundbreaking project, Empowering early childhood teachers to foster high-quality learning using a scalable technology-driven professional development initiative, to empower early childhood teachers through technology-driven professional development. The initiative addresses low STEM competencies among early childhood educators using the innovative STEMsmart model, which integrates artificial intelligence to make STEM learning accessible while addressing gender equality and inclusion concerns.
- Mekong Development Research Institute leads Bouncing Back and Beyond: Understanding and Building Education Systems Resilience in South and Southeast Asia. This project is part of the GPE KIX Observatory on Education System Resilience initiative and will generate and mobilize evidence for innovative resilience strategies for 14 countries in South and Southeast Asia. It will identify potential future disruptions, their possible effects on education, and generate policy recommendations.
- The Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences implemented the Impact of Gender and Inclusive Pedagogies on Students’ Participation and Learning Achievement at Secondary School During the Pandemic and Beyond in Vietnam. This experimental project introduced evidence-based, gender-focused teacher professional development to enhance teacher competency and improve student outcomes. This was a collaborative project that was implemented in four other countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Timor-Leste).
These initiatives demonstrate how GPE KIX continues transforming education through various approaches, prioritizing equity, inclusion, and quality learning outcomes in Vietnam's diverse educational landscape.
