The 52nd SEAMEO Council Conference was held from 8-10 February 2023 at Edsa Shangri-la Hotel, Manila, Philippines.
Present at this important biennial regional meeting on education were the Ministers of Education of the SEAMEO-member countries (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam). SEAMEO SPAFA Director, Mr Khemchat Thepchai, was also in attendance representing the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts (SEAMEO SPAFA).
During the meeting, Her Excellency Sara Z Duterte, Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines and Secretary of Education began her 2-year term (2023-2025) as SEAMEO Council President, assuming the role from her predecessor, His Excellency Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Education, Singapore. It is also during this meeting that a Service Awardee from each of the SEAMEO Centres across Southeast Asia is recognized for their outstanding service as chosen by their peers.
SEAMEO SPAFA wishes to congratulate Mr Prapai Meejit, the SEAMEO Service Award 2022/2023 recipient from SEAMEO SPAFA who received his Service Award plaque from H.E. Duterte. Mr Meejit has been working at SEAMEO SPAFA as Driver I since 2nd April 1997. He goes beyond the call of duty, such as assisting with building maintenance, and always with a jovial demeanour. SEAMEO SPAFA thanks Mr Meejit for his 26 years (approx.) of dedication and service to SEAMEO SPAFA.