In an atmosphere marked by warmth and a spirit of collaboration, H.E. Mr Juan Edgardo Angara, Secretary of Education of the Republic of the Philippines, who also serves as the President of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Council, undertook an official visit to Indonesia on 10 April 2025. This visit formed part of his tenure as President of the SEAMEO Council and served as a significant moment to reinforce regional cooperation in the fields of education and nutrition.

The visit commenced at the Academic Senate Meeting Room of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia (UI), Salemba, Central Jakarta, and was attended by 106 participants. Secretary Angara also visited the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Food and Nutrition (RECFON), which is hosted by Universitas Indonesia.

In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Dr. Ir. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU, Rector of Universitas Indonesia, extended a heartfelt greeting to the delegation. He highlighted UI’s strong commitment to improving human resources through nutritional sciences and education. “We want not only to implement excellent programs but also to make a big impact on the communities of Indonesia and Southeast Asia,” he said.

Representing the SEAMEO Secretariat, Datuk Dr. Habibah Abdul Rahim, Director of SEAMEO Secretariat, conveyed her appreciation for Indonesia’s continuous and active role in SEAMEO’s development. She recognized the consistent dedication of the seven SEAMEO Centres in Indonesia, stating, “So when asked which among these seven SEAMEO centres as the good ones, my answer would be they are all good”.

Photo Courtesy: Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Indonesia

Meanwhile, Madam Suharti, Secretary General of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education of the Republic of Indonesia, emphasized within the SEAMEO framework has resulted in concrete programs reaching millions of beneficiaries. “The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education of Indonesia is fully committed to advancing SEAMEO regional priorities. Under the leadership of Abdul Mu’ti, continue to make efforts to at least six of the seven SEAMEO priority areas,” she stated. She also noted national initiatives such as 13 years of education, the strengthening of character education, and programs for pregnant women and early childhood, all of which reflect Indonesia’s commitment to the SEAMEO Strategic Plan 2021–2030.

Photo Courtesy: Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Indonesia

In his address, H.E. Mr. Juan Edgardo Angara quoted an Indonesian proverb, “Bersatu kita teguh, bercerai kita runtuh” (United we stand, divided we fall), to illustrate the significance of solidarity and cooperation among Southeast Asian countries in facing global challenges such as the climate crisis and rapid technological developments. “Education stands as our frontline defense and our most powerful strategy for navigating the challenges in the region of Southeast Asia,” he emphasized.

Photo Courtesy: Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Indonesia

Following the exchange of souvenir, the directors of the seven SEAMEO Centres in Indonesia—BIOTROP, CECCEP, QITEP in Language, QITEP in Mathematics, QITEP in Science, RECFON, and SEAMOLEC—presented their flagship programs and collaborative initiatives with the Philippines in an interactive discussion session.

During this session, Dr. dr. Herqutanto, MPH, MARS, Sp.KKLP, Director of SEAMEO RECFON, delivered a presentation outlining RECFON’s programs, achievements, and collaborative efforts. He reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to becoming a hub of excellence in food and nutrition. “Our initial focus has been on school-based nutrition, later, when the model has been implemented and proven successful, we were thinking of expanding this to probably workers in consent or manufacturing something like that”.

Photo Courtesy: Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Indonesia

The event continued with a group photo session and a visit to the SEAMEO RECFON building in Salemba, Central Jakarta. There, Secretary Angara and his entourage toured the laboratories and small exhibition showcasing innovations and priority programs from each of the SEAMEO Centres in Indonesia. Each Centre highlighted its strategic role in fostering excellence and well-being in human resources through education and research, in line with its respective mandates.

This visit served as tangible evidence of the strengthening of regional cooperation in Southeast Asia and reflected a shared spirit of commitment to delivering practical solutions to challenges in education and public health. SEAMEO and its member countries remain steadfast in promoting cross-sector collaboration, sharing best practices, and enhancing synergy to ensure a healthier, smarter, and more competitive generation.

Photo Courtesy: Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Indonesia

 

This news was broadcasted by
SEAMEO RECFON
Knowledge Management and Policy Support Unit
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Website: www.seameo-recfon.org
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