seaqilNews 2/XV/June–August 2023

Special Report
Message from Director
GREETINGS FROM THE ACTING 14th Anniversary of SEAMEO QITEP:
CENTRE DIRECTOR Momentum to Strengthen Education
Dear our respected readers,
Advancement in Southeast Asia

In the second half of 2023, we have made many

The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education
improvements to fulfil our commitment to
Organization (SEAMEO) Regional Centre for Quality
enhancing the quality of language teachers and
Improvement for Teacher and Education Personnel
education personnel. Additionally, we have several
(QITEP) in Language, Mathematics and Science
milestones to celebrate from June to August 2023,
celebrated its 14th anniversary (13/7) with teachers
including the 14th anniversary of SEAMEO QITEP in and education personnel through an International
Language (SEAQIL). Seminar themed “Enhancing Literacy-Numeracy
To commemorate our anniversary, we organized through Digital & STEAM Education in Southeast
a collaborative seminar with SEAMEO QITEP in Asia.”
Science and SEAMEO QITEP in Mathematics. The Acting Secretary of Directory of Principals,
Despite all challenges we faced, SEAQIL has initiated School Supervisors and Education Personnel for
innovative programmes such as the SEA Language the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and
Club to advance language education in Southeast Technology (MoECRT), Praptono, who also serves as
Asia. the Directorate General of Teachers and Education
Furthermore, to establish and strengthen our Personnel’s (Seditjen GTK) Acting Secretary officially
linkages, we have initiated collaborations with launched the event.
continue to page 2
prospective institutions. In August, SEAQIL warmly
welcomed back the students of the Certified What’s in this edition?
Internship and Independent Study Programmes 14th Anniversary of SEAMEO QITEP: Momentum to Strengthen
(MSIB) Batch 5. Education Advancement in Southeast Asia.................................. 1
Exploring Collaboration on Publication with Rakyat Merdeka,
Stay updated with the latest information and One of the Online Mass Media in Indonesia................................. 3
become a part of our activities by visiting SEAQIL’s SEAQIL’s SEA Language Club Programme Strengthens ASEAN
website and social media. Collaboration........................................................................................... 3

Thank you and happy reading! SEAQIL's MSIB Students Encourages The Development of
Literacy Work in Schools Through Mutual Cooperation.......... 4
R.Dian Dia-an Muniroh The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology
Acting Director (MoECRT) Facilitates more than 36,000 Internship Students in
Reputable Companies.......................................................................... 5
Editorial Board SEAQIL welcomed internship students from Universitas Islam
Advisor: R.Dian Dia-an Muniroh Negeri Malang (UNISMA) PK-KM Programme Internship
Editor-In-Chief: Misbah Fikrianto Students..................................................................................................... 5
Deputy Editor: M Masrur Ridwan
Editor: Estiningsih Suprandini, Qisty Meisya N. SEAQIL Welcomed the Lecturers from State University of
Graphic Designer: Riko Rachmat S.
Malang (UM) on Lecturer Internship Programme...................... 6
SEAMEO QITEP in Language
Jalan Gardu, Srengseng Sawah, Jagakarsa SEAQIL and the Students of Certi ed Internship and
Jakarta Selatan 12640, Indonesia Independent Study Programmes (MSIB) Batch IV Esncourage
Tel: +62 21 7888 4106 Public to Increase Digital Literacy Insights................................... 7
Fax: +62 21 7888 4073
Copyright ©2022 SEAMEO QITEP in Language Enhancing the Competency of Elementary School Teachers
through Mathematics Learning Lesson Study............................. 7

seaqilNews 2/XII/March–May 2022 1

Partnership

continued from page 1

“We at Ditjen GTK appreciate the initiative to Furthermore, Praptono emphasizing that due
organise this seminar and firmly support the to reading and numeracy being the primary
Language Science and Mathematics programmes competencies of students, SEAMEO should play a
run by SEAMEO QITEP.” Praptono stated that more significant role in developing the six qualities
“We are prepared to support SEAMEO’s priority outlined in the Pancasila Student Profile. Praptono
programmes, which are a joint contribution to expects that Indonesian educators will continue
advancing education, especially in Southeast Asia.” to collaborate and learn from best practices used
throughout Southeast Asia.
Speaking about literacy and numeracy, which is
also the seminar’s subject, in the framework of After the meeting, Praptono expressed his gratitude
the National Assessment (AN) is unquestionably for SEAMEO QITEP’s assistance in boosting the
inextricably linked to character development, calibre of educators and other educational staff,
according to Praptono. Because changes happen so quality in Indonesia. “SEAMEO QITEP in Language,
quickly, Praptono said, “we need a breakthrough. Mathematics and Science becomes 14 today. In
We can no longer specifically prepare our children delivering services to educators in the Southeast
with just one skill.” Asian region, maybe SEAMEO QITEP would be at
the forefront,” he said.
According to Praptono, students need to make
quick adjustments, possess strong critical thinking For information, Mr. Rachmadi Widiharto, Director
abilities and excel in communication skills. They General of Primary Schools, served as the seminar’s
could do this while adjusting to the rapid pace of keynote speaker. As part of the panel discussion,
the changing times, increasing their contribution to SEAMEO QITEP will feature speakers including
society. MORITA Mamoru (The Japan Foundation Jakarta),
specializing in language education, Assoc. Prof. Dr
Praptono emphasizes that our children’s learning
Ir Allan L. White (University of Western Sydney),
achievements must align with the Pancasila
specializing in mathematics education and Hasbi
Student Profile. They should exhibit qualities such
Asyadiq (CEO & Founder of Assemblr Teknologi
as belief in God Almighty, independence, critical
Indonesia), specializing in science and technology
thinking skills, creativity, collaboration and a global
education. (MR)
perspective.

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 Partnership

Exploring Collaboration on Publication with Rakyat Merdeka,

One of the Online Mass Media in Indonesia

Establishing and strengthening networking with Thai Language and Culture”. Implementation of the
the mass media is needed to convey information SEALC program will take place between August 1
about SEAQIL’s policy, programmes and activities. and September 22, 2023.
Moreover, through the mass media, SEAQIL has an
Head of the National Agency for Language
opportunity to reach a wider target audience. Thus,
SEAQIL’s team (M. Masrur Ridwan and Estiningsih Development and Cultivation, Ministry of
Suprandini) conducted meeting with Rakyat Education, Culture, Research and Technology
Merdeka, one of the online mass media in Indonesia (MoECRT), Prof E. Aminudin Aziz, PhD solemnly
at Rakyat Merdeka’s office in Jakarta (6/6). opened the SEALC programme and conveyed the
message of Minister of Education and Culture,
The team was received by the Editor-in-Chief of Nadiem Anwar Makarim. He said the Minister really
Rakyat Merdeka (Sarif Hidayat) and an editorial appreciated the innovation and regeneration
team (Muhamad Rusmadi). This meeting aimed to program because it showed Indonesia’s efforts to
introduce SEAQIL’s programmes and activities in strengthen cooperation among ASEAN countries
enhancing the quality of language teachers. SEAQIL that have been declared for decades. The Minister
also discussed the potential collaboration between congratulated all participating delegates, organizers
SEAQIL and Rakyat Merdeka for the necessary and members of the Board of Directors of SEAQIL
publications, including news reports on SEAQIL’s and partner organizations for implementing the
programs and activities or the publication for SEALC program. This program is expected not only
specific content. (QS) to teach and learn Indonesian and Thai but also
other Southeast Asian languages.
SEAQIL’s SEA Language Club
Furthermore, Prof E. Aminudin Aziz, PhD shared the
Programme Strengthens ASEAN
experience of the National Agency for Language
Collaboration Development and Cultivation in teaching
Indonesian to people whose mother tongue is
Supporting Indonesia’s 2023 ASEAN Chairmanship,
not Indonesian. “Currently, we serve 154 active
SEAMEO QITEP in Language (SEAQIL) launched
participants worldwide. Our data shows that we
the Southeast Asia Language Club (SEALC), an
have 428 partner institutions and Indonesian
innovative programme that provides “Online
is taught in 52 countries. This initiative has the
Training to Improve Knowledge of Indonesian and

seaqilNews 3/XIII/June–August 2022 3

Capacity Building

potential to not only form cooperation between Southeast Asian countries. It involves language
countries but more importantly, friendship within experts and facilitators from Chulalongkorn
the ASEAN community,” said Aminudin. University, BIPA instructors from the University of
Indonesia and BIPA facilitators from the Indonesia
The SEALC program receives full support from the
University of Education. The SEALC program is
Rector of Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), based on research conducted by SEAQIL and UPI
Prof M. Solehuddin and the Dean of the Faculty of on Language Policy and Language Education
Arts at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, Assoc. in Southeast Asia, with nearly 5,000 young
Prof Suradech Chotiudompant, PhD. Solehuddin respondents from 11 Southeast Asian countries,
emphasizes the role of language in building revealing Indonesian and Thai as the most preferred
meaningful relationships and promoting harmony languages among the younger generation in the
in diverse communities, such as those in Asia. He region. (MR)
believes the training will deepen appreciation for
linguistic beauty and cultural diversity in Indonesia SEAQIL's MSIB Students Encourages
and Thailand. The Development of Literacy Work in
Suradech expresses gratitude for Chulalongkorn Schools Through Mutual Cooperation
University’s involvement in the transformative
SEALC programme and hopes it will strengthen
relationships and unity through language. Acting
Director of SEAQIL, Ms R. Dian Dia-an Muniroh,
PhD., highlights the program’s pillars, including
Indonesia’s role as ASEAN 2023 chair and alignment
with the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint
2025. The programmes commitment is to promote
language and literacy among future educators in
Southeast Asia and enhance participants’ global
competence.
SEAMEO QITEP in Language (SEAQIL) held an
appreciation peak for the 4th batch of Certified
Internship and Independent Study Programmes
(MSIB) as well as the School Literacy Club (SLC)
programme (21/6). Various parties, including the
Director of Teachers for Secondary and Special
Education at the Ministry of Education, Culture,
Research and Technology (MoECRT), Putra Asga
Elevri, MSi, warmly welcomed this event.
Asga expressed his appreciation to SEAQIL for its
efforts in integrating MSIB and promoting literacy
in schools. He highlighted the importance of
collaboration and the development of competencies
among teachers, students and school principals.
According to him, collaborative learning, such as
that carried out through literacy club, can be an
According to the report of Deputy Director for
integral part of the educational process. Putra Asga
Programme, Esra Nelvi M. Siagian, MM., MEd.,
also emphasised the significance of educational
the SEALC programme includes 71 participants
development through cooperation between
from eight Southeast Asian countries and six non- schools and learning communities (Kombel).

4 seaqilNews 3/XIII/June–August 2022

 Internship

In addition, Misbah explained that in the 4th batch of techniques were used to choose the students. They
MSIB, SEAQIL successfully engaged 48 students as will participate the internships or independent
literacy assistants and 12 students responsible for study activities at 222 agencies and businesses in
overseeing literacy publications. They completed various industries.
internships from 16 February to 30 June 2023,
covering 13 provinces across Indonesia. SEAQIL welcomed internship
School Literacy Club programme aimed to revive students from Universitas Islam
the spirit of literacy throughout Indonesia and Negeri Malang (UNISMA)
support the National Literacy Movement policy PK-KM Programme Internship
of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research Students
and Technology (MoECRT). It was conducted
in 23 schools across 13 provinces, involving 49
supervising teachers and 1,521 students. The SCL
programme has produced 79 short stories, 82
journalistic pieces and 229 storytelling works in
various formats, including books, audio and video.

The Ministry of Education, Culture,

Research and Technology (MoECRT)
Facilitates more than 36,000
Internship Students in Reputable
Companies SEAMEO QITEP in Language (SEAQIL) welcomed
intern students and lecturers from the Indonesian
Language and Literature Education Study
Programme, UNISMA at the SEAQIL office (28/8). This
internship is one of the activities of the Competition
Programme Independent Campus (PK-KM) and
will be followed by two UNISMA students for four
months, from August to December 2023.
SEAQIL Deputy Director of Administration, Dr
Misbah Fikrianto, MM., MSi. He expressed his
gratitude to UNISMA for the trust and good
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and cooperation in supporting SEAQIL's internship
Technology (MoECT) will again organize the Certified programme. Misbah hoped that the cooperation
Internship and Independent Study Programmes between SEAQIL and UNISMA will not stop with the
(MSIB). On Monday (14/8), Indonesian MoECRT internship but will continue with other cooperation
held the 5th batch of the MSIB National Onboarding activities in the future.
Programme. This program allows students to gain “We hope that simultaneously with this internship
work experience and various practical knowledge process or in the future or its continuation, there is a
and skills from the industrial sector. good cooperation activity that can be carried out,”
More than 36,000 undergraduate and diploma Misbah said.
students from over 800 colleges in Indonesia will In her speech, the PIC of the UNISMA Student Activity
participate in the 5th batch of the MSIB programme, Program for the PKKM Grant of The Indonesian
which begins in August. A multitude of selection MoECRT, Dr Ari Ambarwati, MPd, expressed her

seaqilNews 3/XIII/June–August 2022 5

Internship

happiness to attend the SEAQIL office and that For information, the welcome ceremony was
the internship could be realised Ari stated that the attended by SEAQIL’s Deputy Director of
Indonesian Language Study Program at UNISMA Administration, Dr Misbah Fikrianto, MM, MSi,
had been identified as a centre of excellence, so SEAQIL’s department heads and staff, Dr Ari
the study programme is sending its students to do Ambarwati, MPd. (PIC of UNISMA’s Secrecy Activity
internships at SEAQIL. Program for the PKKM Grant of Kemdikbudristek),
Layli Hidayati, MPd, Itznaniyah Umie Murniatie,
Ari Ambarwati then stated his expectation that
MPd and 2 interns M. Ryan Firmansyah and M. Imam
students can learn a lot from SEAQIL. “We hope that
Ghozali Fajar Septian. (QS)
the students can really absorb the good practices
at SEAQIL.”

SEAQIL Welcomed the Lecturers from State University of Malang (UM) on

Lecturer Internship Programme

SEAMEO QITEP in Language (SEAQIL) welcomed this collaborative internship conducted research
lecturers from the Faculty of Literature at the and development-related internships under the
Universitas Negeri Malang (UM) to the SEAQIL office R&D Division of the Program.
(7/8). The internship is one of the collaborative The Deputy Director for Administration at SEAQIL,
activities between SEAQIL and UM. Four lecturers Dr Misbah Fikrianto, MM., MSi, expressed his
conducted the internships for 5 days from from 7 to happiness for the cooperation that exists with the
11 August 2023. The four lecturers who carried out Faculty of Literature at UM. (QS)

6 seaqilNews 3/XIII/June–August 2022

 Internship

SEAQIL and the Students of Certified consumers of the information they receive and this
Internship and Independent Study ability is needed as a bridge between information
needs and the need for good educational
Programmes (MSIB) Batch IV information.
Esncourage Public to Increase Digital
Aulia Maulida, the webinar’s coordinator, further
Literacy Insights
explained that MSIB students collaborating with
SEAQIL seized the opportunity presented by
National Awakening Day to transform it into a
large-scale discussion on digital literacy. “We hope
this webinar can increase participants’ knowledge
of digital literacy and its applications in the field of
education, as well as their level of understanding.”
In this webinar, SEAQIL also invited three university
MSIB studenst as panellists: Gina Sonia from
Universitas Indonesia, Muhammad Kautsar from
In celebration of National Awakening Day, SEAMEO Universitas Syiah Kuala and Michael Swarestho
QITEP in Language (SEAQIL) and MSIB batch IV Radegalis from the Universitas Pancasila. The topics
students held a webinar with the theme “Digital discussed by the speakers included strengthening
Literacy and Utilization of Digital Media for digital literacy to nurture a smart young generation
Learning” (7/6) online through the Zoom platform in the technology era, audio-based digital literacy
and SEAQIL YouTube channel. and video.

The webinar aimed to provide insights into digital Through this webinar, SEAQIL aimed to encourage
literacy and the use of social media for learning, participants to use and access technology wisely,
such as Spotify, Instagram and YouTube. think critically when facing problems, communicate
effectively, collaborate in teams, cultivate a reading
Acting Director, Ms R. Dian Dia-an Muniroh PhD
culture and learn to create their own works. Digital
in her speech explained that this webinar is an
literacy will contribute to a society with a critical
initiative to support the development and use of
and creative mindset and outlook.
digital media in learning among students, university
students and language teachers.
Enhancing the Competency of
“By attending the discussion sessions and sharing Elementary School Teachers through
practical advice in this webinar, participants will
Mathematics Learning Lesson Study
receive a better understanding of the strategies and
tools that can enhance digital literacy and enable
SEAMEO QITEP in Mathematics (SEAQIM)
the effective utilization of digital media in learning,”
collaborated with BBGP DI Yogyakarta, The Centre
said Dian.
for Research on International Cooperation in
In the MSIB activity report, Deputy Director for Educational Development (CRICED) at the University
Administration, Dr Misbah Fikrianto, explained of Tsukuba, Japan, SEAMEO QITEP in Language
how digital literature can serve as a social tool to (SEAQIL), SEAMEO Regional Open Learning Center
help students succeed in their studies. Through (SEAMOLEC) and Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
digital summaries, students can focus not only on (UPI) to organize activities aimed at “Enhancing
learning the material but also engage in creative the Competency of Elementary School Teachers
processes using information technology. Misbah through Mathematics Learning Lesson Study”
also emphasized to optimize the benefits of digital across three Indonesian provincesi, .e., DKI Jakarta
literacy so that the general public can be critical and DI Yogyakarta on 24 and 25 August 2023.

seaqilNews 3/XIII/June–August 2022 7

SEAMEO News

The activity saw the participation of 200 attendees children. This is in line with the Pancasila student
in person, including elementary school students profile,” added Rachmadi.
from grades 1 and 2, teachers accompanying
Dr Sumardyono, the Director of SEAMEO QITEP in
the students, observers from elementary school
Mathematics (SEAQIM), mentioned that research
teaching institutions, SD IKM schools, SEAQIM
on this subject had begun some time ago. The
observers, elementary school supervisors in Jakarta,
initial step involved translating a Japanese learning
as well as observers from universities and the
book (Gakko Tosho) into Indonesian, guiding
Indonesian Lesson Study Association.
mathematics teachers, presenting the book’s
Dr Rachmadi Widdiharto, MA, Director of Teachers results and testing it with students.
for Primary Education, officially inaugurated
Expanding on his earlier statement, Sumardyono
the Elementary School Teacher Competency
expressed his desire for this activity to provide
Improvement activity through Lesson Study in
positive and lasting benefits for mathematics
Mathematics. In his opening remarks, Rachmadi
teachers in elementary schools as well as for
Widdiharto expressed his appreciation for the
practitioners and researchers. Sumardyono stated,
efforts in organizing this activity and expressed
“We hope that this activity will have a sustainable
his hope that collaboration within this ecosystem
impact, benefiting not only teachers who play a
would continue to develop. Rachmadi also
crucial role in the education of our elementary school
emphasized that the Ministry of Education and
children, particularly in the field of mathematics,
Culture, particularly through the Directorate
but also practitioners and researchers.”
General of Teachers and Education Personnel (GTK),
is dedicated to improving the quality of education. During this activity, SEAQIM also invited teachers
He stated, “Through Directorate General of Teachers and mathematics experts from Japan, namely
and Education Personnel, The Ministry of Education Morimoto sensei, Ono sensei and Prof. Masami
and Culture always strives to enhance the quality of Isoda (CRICED Director at the University of Tsukuba,
education.” Japan). These Japanese mathematics teachers
provided interactive lessons to 1st and 2nd grade
“Critical thinking, creativity, independence,
elementary school students on shape games for
teamwork, faith, belief in God Almighty and global
constructing flat shapes and repeated addition
diversity should be encouraged. Let’s respect,
exercises. Additionally, they explained how to
optimize the growth and development of our
develop thinking skills in mathematics. (QS)
8 seaqilNews 3/XIII/June–August 2022