Following up on the High Officials Meeting on “SEA-TVET: Working Together towards Harmonization and Internationalization” organized on 23-26 August 2015 in Chiangmai, Thailand, it is important to have a collective effort at the institutional and industrial level by way of formalizing a consortium. This consortium will be the avenue to operationalise SEA-TVET activities in order to achieve its goals: (1) to leverage the standard and competency of TVET in Southeast Asia through internationalisation and harmonisation; (2) to promote and develop the curriculum harmonisation, and internationalisation of study programmes through lecturer/student exchange, joint research programmes and industrial linkages; and (3) to create a sustainable networking platform among TVET leaders and institutions in Southeast Asia and industry, as well as other related development agencies.
SEA-TVET Consortium comprises Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in SEAMEO Member Countries that agree to work together in harmonising and internationalising their programmes through curriculum harmonisation, students and staff exchange, and industrial attachment, and resource sharing.
This consortium is formed to secure commitment from participating institutions and industries to work together towards achieving the following objectives:
The main activities under SEA-TVET consortium are (1) students exchange, (2) staff exchange, (3) industrial attachment for students, (4) industrial attachment for staff, (5) sharing expertise and resources, and (6) research collaboration.
Students’ exchange will be performed by TVET institutions. The number and the duration will be decided by participating schools, colleges, and polytechnics. Ideally, the minimum duration for students’ exchange is 6 months or one year, but considering various school capacity an institution may have shorter duration of student exchange. The details of implementing student exchange, such as harmonising curriculum for possible matriculation and recognition, arranging the student travel, and prepare pre-departure programme can be found in Part 3, 4, and 5.
To have staff exchange, the participating schools must discuss the arrangement, such as identifying and selecting subject teachers, assignments given during the exchange, the duration, and cost sharing.
Industrial Attachment is part of students and staff exchange. The host institution will identify and communicate with participating industries regarding the number of students and staff that can be accommodated for industrial attachment
Sharing best resources/practices and to generate new/innovative ideas through research collaboration
2.1. Priority Industry Areas
For the first three year round, TVET High Officials identified the following 4 industry areas:
The above list does not mean that TVET institutions cannot collaborate in other areas; as long as partners are available and willing to collaborate they can pursue student or staff exchange, including the industrial attachment.
2.2. Status of Memberships
Once a TVET institution (a secondary TVET school, a technical and vocational college, or a polytechnic) joins the consortium by completing the application form, it has the status as probationary membership that offer the opportunity to network with other members and identify relevant partners to carry out activities referring to the above paragraph. In order to be a full member, an institution must be committed in having student and staff exchange, including the industrial attachment.
To be a full member, a TVET institution must be committed to achieve the consortium objectives by way of participating in SEA-TVET meetings and workshops, facilitating at least 5 (five) students exchange annually with other international partner-schools, colleges, or polytechnics and to assist industrial attachment for the overseas students to participating industries located nearby.
2.3. Governance
TVET institutions, secondary and postsecondary (colleges and polytechnics), are the members of the consortium. SEAMEO Secretariat, SEAMEO VOCTECH, SEAMEO SEAMOLEC, and other relevant SEAMEO Centres and other partners will offer assistance in monitoring and coordinating SEA-TVET consortium activities.
2.4. Benefits from SEA-TVET Consortium
2.4.1 Benefits for Countries
Through SEA-TVET consortium, a country will benefit from having better TVET institutions that have the capacity to continuously upgrade the quality of their TVET staff and are able to prepare a well-rounded TVET graduates by way students’ and staff’s exchange overseas, including industrial attachment and other activities covered under the consortium.
2.4.2 Benefits for TVET Institutions
Secondary TVET schools, vocational and technical colleges, and polytechnics that participated in SEA-TVET consortium will gain benefits through networking, learning from good practices of other institutions in the region, and having the opportunity to partner with various institutions for students’ and staff’s exchange overseas, including industrial attachment and other activities covered under the consortium.
2.4.3 Benefits for Students
From student exchange and industrial attachment overseas, the students will learn not only the technical-know-how, but also the experience living and “working” abroad that enable them to learn new language/s, cultures, and other regional experiences.
2.4.4 Benefits for Teachers
Teachers who participate in staff exchange will be benefited from the institution abroad in the area covered during the exchange, besides also having the experience living and “working” abroad, and regional networking with other teachers in the region.
Teachers who work in the host institution will serve as mentors and will experience in serving international students.
2.4.5 Benefits for Industries
By having student and staff exchange, including industrial attachment, students and staff will be more knowledgeable about the industrial requirements that enable them to perform jobs in multi-cultural working environment that eventually will enhance the performance of the industry.
Please see more details in the SEA-TVET Consortium Guidebook