ICT Mahidol professor served as a keynote speaker at the “2024 SEAMEO Inter-Regional Research Symposium (IRRS)”

On November 20, 2024, Professor Dr. Peter Haddawy, Mahidol Global Talent Professor of Computer Science at the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, Mahidol University (ICT Mahidol), served as a keynote speaker at the “2024 SEAMEO Inter-Regional Research Symposium (IRRS).” The symposium held under the theme “Transforming Higher Education: Towards Sustainable Development,” was organized by SEAMEO RIHED, in collaboration with Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) and higher education networks from ASEAN, Europe, and other regions.

The event commenced with a welcome address by Prof. Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, as well as Mr. Supachai Jaismut, Assistant Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation. The symposium took place at The Sukosol Hotel, Bangkok.

During the event, Professor Dr. Peter Haddawy delivered a keynote lecture titled “Navigating Digital Transformation in Higher Education.” His talk was attended by 200 participants, including the Deputy Minister of Higher Education of Thailand, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education of Thailand, Director General of Higher Education of Cambodia, Director General of Higher Education of Lao PDR, and the Center Director of SEAMEO-RIHED.  The talk addressed the impact of AI on higher education and the job market and how higher education can effectively respond to the changing environment.

The 2024 SEAMEO Inter-Regional Research Symposium (IRRS), held from November 20–22, 2024, served as a pivotal platform for leaders, policymakers, academics, educators, and researchers in the higher education sector to engage in dialogue and shape collaborative efforts for a sustainable future in higher education. Key activities included:

• Policy discussions on regional higher education.
• Keynote addresses on three critical themes:

1. 1. Lifelong Learning and Flexible Learning Pathways.
   2. Digital Sustainability.
   3. Climate Action.

• Presentations of innovations and impactful research advancing sustainable development in the aforementioned themes.
• Workshops by partner organizations, fostering knowledge exchange and tracking progress in the higher education sector.

This symposium underscored the commitment to advancing education, research, and development in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).