The SEAMEO Regional Centre specialising in higher education and development
SEAMEO RIHED is the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Regional Centre specialising in higher education and development. We were first conceived as a Regional Institute for Higher Education Development (RIHED) in 1959 by UNESCO and the International Association of Universities (IAU) in collaboration with the Ford Foundation. The Institute was later re-established in 1993 under SEAMEO in Bangkok, Thailand, where we are currently hosted by the Royal Thai Government and continue to serve as the region's partner in higher education.
Objectives
As SEAMEO’s Regional Centre specialising in higher education and development, RIHED is mandated to:
- Assist Member Countries in fostering the efficiency and effectiveness of higher education in their respective countries, with a focus on policy and planning processes, administrative and management systems through profession training and policy-oriented research;
- Serve as the regional centre and clearing-house for higher education information and documentation, promoting the exchange and dissemination of information and research findings on higher education planning and management, both within and outside the region;
- Promote collaboration among Member Countries for establishing institutional linkages and to assist them in strengthening institution building and development.
Our Governing Board
The policy-making body of the Centre is the SEAMEO RIHED Governing Board, which comprises one representative from each SEAMEO Member Country.
Our Team
A small, international team of people passionate about higher education make up our team. Our current Centre Director is Dr. Romyen Kosaikanont.
Our Story
Why RIHED was conceived, how we have evolved since 1959 and our regional efforts and engagement as a SEAMEO Centre up to the present day.
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About SEAMEO
A regional Intergovernmental Organization established in 1965 to promote regional cooperation in education, science and culture. The SEAMEO Secretariat is located in Bangkok, Thailand, in the same building that houses the UNESCO Bangkok office.
PROMOTING
Sustainability
Our strategy is also closely aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Sustainable Development Goals 4, 5 and 17.