• Today: October 15, 2026

Focus on skills contributing to greener economy

Minister of Education Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh, who is also the SEAMEO Council President, emphasised that preparing learners with the skills to contribute to a greener economy requires sustained cooperation among governments, education and training institutions, industry, communities, and development partners.

She delivered the remarks during the 37th Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation Regional Centre for Vocational and Technical Education and Training (SEAMEO VOCTECH) Governing Board Meeting in Brunei Darussalam.

The minister noted that SEAMEO VOCTECH’s Greening Education Readiness Index (GERI) will provide an evidence-based framework to assess the readiness of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions to integrate sustainability into education systems.

She said GERI would help institutions identify strengths and gaps, establish priorities, and monitor progress across curricula, teacher development, campus operations, governance, partnerships, and community engagement.

Developed by SEAMEO VOCTECH with support from GIZ-RECOTwin and partners, the initiative builds on experience gained from the Smart Education Readiness Index (SERI).

The GERI study brings together national researchers, TVET institutions, and regional partners across 11 SEAMEO member countries to generate evidence, good practices, and policy recommendations.

The minister encouraged participating institutions to utilise the findings to guide practical enhancements in teaching, campus operations, and industry engagement, noting that such initiatives demonstrate how regional cooperation converts shared commitments into tangible action.

Highlighting SEAMEO VOCTECH’s contributions during the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the minister noted that the centre conducted 32 training programmes and workshops reaching more than 1,100 participants.

Activities also encompassed research, innovation, knowledge management, regional partnerships, and institutional sustainability, including the reinforcement of SEA-VET.net. She also highlighted collaborative work with the Ministry of Education on Graduate Employment Studies, Employer Satisfaction Surveys, and digital readiness assessments under SERI.

These initiatives align with SEAMEO VOCTECH’s Seventh Five-Year Development Plan, themed ‘Inclusive TVET for a Green and Digital Future’. As the centre enters the third year of the plan, its focus on inclusivity, digitalisation, and sustainability complements national educational priorities, including the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) Digital Transformation Plan 2023-2027 and the Greening Education Plan 2025-2035 launched by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The minister extended congratulations to SEAMEO VOCTECH, GIZ-RECOTwin, ministries, and partners for advancing greener education.

The meeting officially opened with the launch of the GERI Framework and Assessment Tool, officiated by the minister. The ceremony was attended by foreign dignitaries, SEAMEO VOCTECH Governing Board members, the MoE officials, and strategic partners.

The annual gathering enables SEAMEO VOCTECH to deliberate on working papers, review accomplishments, and establish strategic directions. In conjunction with the proceedings, the centre will host a sharing session today themed ‘Future-Ready TVET in Southeast Asia: Leading the Twin Transition through Innovation, Inclusion, and Partnerships’. An appreciation dinner will follow, with Permanent Secretary (Higher Education) at the MoE Dr Haji Azman bin Ahmad attending as the guest of honour. – Lyna Mohamad

ABOVE & BELOW: Minister of Education Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh, who is also the SEAMEO Council President, speaks at the event; and the event in progress. PHOTO: YUSRIN JUNAIDI
PHOTO: YUSRIN JUNAIDI

 

SOURCE/AUTHOR : BORNEO BULLETIN/LYNA MOHAMAD

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