Bangkok: The Council of Education, in collaboration with 15 agencies, organized the Thailand International Conference on Education Research: ThaiCER 2025, under the theme 'The Education for the Future.' This significant event aimed to address the pressing need for education systems worldwide to adapt to challenges such as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, climate change, demographic shifts, and social inequality.
According to Thai News Agency, the Office of the Secretary of the Education Council (OEC), along with co-hosts including UNICEF Thailand, the Equitable Education Fund, and several agencies under the Ministry of Education, spearheaded the conference. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prawit Erawan, Secretary-General of the National Education Council, emphasized the importance of using research data to guide educational transformation efforts. He pointed out that the lack of research-driven policymaking could hinder effective direction in education.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prawit highlighted that the seminar aligns with Thailand's 20-year education strategic plan, known as the National Education Plan 2017-2036. This plan aims to develop the country into a knowledge-based society, focusing on sustainable development, resilience, and competitiveness, aligned with the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. The conference serves as a platform for gathering information and exchanging knowledge, which is crucial for informed policymaking.
He further noted that ThaiCER 2025 seeks to learn from international experiences to evaluate educational policy implementation through research. With participation from organizations like the OECD, the conference aims to elevate the quality of educational research in Thailand. Additionally, the recent establishment of the Thailand Education Research Association (TEA), in collaboration with the Office of the Higher Education Commission (OHEC) and the Equitable Education Fund (EEF), represents a critical step towards joining the World Education Research Association (WERA).
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prawit stated that research is vital in educational policymaking, emphasizing the need for high standards in research. Thailand's potential inclusion in WERA would provide a platform for comparing standards and supporting Thai researchers. This development is crucial for the OHEC, as quality policy should stem from quality research.