10th Anniversary of the Southeast Asian Teacher Education Network

On September 17, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (USSH VNUHCM) participated in the 10th anniversary celebration of the Southeast Asian Teacher Education Network (AsTEN) in Manila, Philippines. The event saw the presence of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan, President of USSH and AsTEN, alongside former presidents and representatives from member institutions across Southeast Asia.

In her opening address, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan, extended a warm welcome to the attendees, whose presence, she said, underscored the significant milestones AsTEN has achieved in becoming a dynamic and adaptive educational network within the ASEAN region. As President of AsTEN, she expressed her deep appreciation to Dr. Ester Ogena, the network’s founder, for her visionary leadership in its early years. She also thanked member universities for their ongoing dedication to shaping the minds and character of students, urging continued collaboration to ensure AsTEN's growth and success in the future.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan, delivering remarks at the celebration

A highlight of the celebration was the signing of a partnership agreement between the AsTEN Teacher Education Quality Assurance Agency (ATQA) and the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP), representing a major step in enhancing the quality of teacher education within AsTEN.

Representatives signing the cooperation agreement

The anniversary also featured a scientific forum focused on educational quality and AsTEN’s leadership in teacher training amid the rapid advancement of technology and societal shifts. Current and past AsTEN presidents emphasized the network’s pioneering spirit, its readiness to embrace technological innovations, and its proactive approach to addressing emerging challenges. Discussions also covered the complex global environment, described as VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) and BANI (brittle, anxious, non-linear, incomprehensible), and the implications for higher education. Speakers called for a renewed focus on developing future educators with strong critical thinking skills, global perspectives, technological fluency, social-emotional intelligence, adaptability, and resilience.

Forum discussions during the anniversary celebration

Attendees taking a commemorative group photo

The 10th anniversary celebration of AsTEN was both a reflection on past achievements and a forward-looking event, setting the stage for a new decade of progress, collaboration, and continued success for the network.

Translation by THAI TUONG