In a landmark discussion hosted by the Ambassador of the European Union (EU), Sujiro Seam, the EU, ASEAN and leading scholars from both regions came together to enhance cooperation in education and research.
The Partners’ Dialogue focused on the transformative impact of the Global Gateway strategy in ASEAN, emphasizing innovation, research collaboration, sustainable development, and the exchange of students and academics between the two regions.
Launched in 2021, the Global Gateway strategy aims to tackle the most pressing global challenges, from fighting climate change to improving health systems and boosting the competitiveness and security of global supply chains. Between 2021 and 2027, the EU and its Member States, together as Team Europe, committed to mobilizing at least EUR 10 billion (USD 10.9 billion) of investments for sustainable and high-quality projects in the ASEAN region, taking into account the needs of partner countries and ensuring lasting benefits for local communities.
Sujiro Seam, EU Ambassador to ASEAN, speaks on stage
“People-to-people connectivity and investment in education and research are key components of the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership,” Sujiro Seam, EU Ambassador to ASEAN, said. “Today in our Partners’ Dialogue, we celebrated the EU-ASEAN cooperation on education and research and explored avenues to further develop this cooperation in the context of the EU Global Gateway Strategy, working with partners for the betterment of our regions and their people” he added.
The EU-funded Erasmus Program and Horizon Europe are just two examples of successful collaboration in the field of higher education and research. Students, scholars, and universities in ASEAN benefited from the Erasmus program through student and scholar exchanges, postgraduate scholarships, and support for university partnerships.
In the field of research, Horizon Europe is the world’s biggest publicly funded multilateral research and innovation program. It offers researchers and innovators outside Europe the opportunity to participate in EU-funded collaborative research and innovation actions. It aims to tackle global challenges, including building green, digital, healthy and resilient societies.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/asean.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-07-29 12:19:362024-07-29 12:19:40European Union, ASEAN Boost Education, Research Ties through Global Gateway Strategy
The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation and VietJet Airline have agreed to enhance air transportation between Laos and Vietnam, which is expected to create up to 2,500 new jobs in the aviation sector.
The two sides signed an agreement on 11 July in Vientiane Capital, with VietJet set to collaborate with the Department of Civil Aviation of Laos on various aviation-related projects aimed at expanding air transport activities within Laos. The airline also plans to establish its Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) facilities in Laos, training the new workforce to meet international aviation standards.
This project aims to provide affordable flight options and high-quality air services for both Lao nationals and international tourists. Additionally, it is expected to promote socio-economic development, trade, tourism connectivity, and cultural exchange between Laos and its regional neighbors.
Meanwhile, Laos’ Department of Civil Aviation will support these efforts by providing administrative, legal, and facility assistance and coordinating with other agencies to ensure the project’s successful execution.
This collaboration is part of a broader strategic cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, as outlined in their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Strategic Cooperation in Transport for the 2016–2025 period.
Vietnam is currently one of Laos’ largest investors and trading partners, with 255 investment projects totaling USD 5.5 billion. These projects, primarily in the transport, tourism, science, and technology sectors, promote trade exchanges, sustainable development, and shared prosperity for Laos, Vietnam, and the wider region.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/vietjet.jpg337505Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-07-29 04:39:002024-07-17 16:40:59Laos, VietJet Sign Air Transport Agreement, Creating Over 2,000 Jobs
In a significant step towards inclusive education, the Lao Research Institute for Education Science (RIES) under the Ministry of Education and Sports, in partnership with the Australian government, organized a “Spoken Lao Program (SLP)” stakeholder forum on 11 July in Vientiane to improve Lao language learning and teaching.
The forum celebrated the program’s success, reflected on the outcomes of supporting non-Lao-speaking students, and strategized future expansions.
According to Uthid Thipmany, the deputy director of RIES, the Lao speaking program, designed to strengthen Lao language skills for Grade 1 students, has shown positive outcomes since its initial pilot in 2019. In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the program expanded to 21 districts with additional support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
During the trial phase, teaching was observed in 597 classrooms, with 1,424 teachers conducting weekly reflections, and 602 non-Lao speaking students participating in tests. Uthid reported that the students received Lao speaking lessons three times a week and improved their test scores by 20 percent.
Meanwhile, 94 percent of the teachers interviewed stated that these lessons significantly helped non-Lao speaking students learn the language faster and engage better in all subjects.
Uthid further highlighted the need for Lao speaking lessons to be available in every school where students require additional help with Lao language because it is not their main language at home. He also expressed optimism in continuing the collaboration to ensure all Grade 1 teachers receive the necessary training and resources for teaching Lao language lessons.
Vanessa Hegarty, First Secretary at the Australian Embassy, acknowledged Laos’ cultural diversity, noting that over 50 languages are spoken across the country. She highlighted that many children, especially in rural and remote areas, speak languages other than Lao when they start school, making the development of basic Lao language skills in primary school essential for their continued educational success.
The program is part of the Basic Education Quality and Access in Lao (BEQUAL) Project, led by the Lao government with support from the Australian government and USAID, focuses on improving learning outcomes for young people across the country, particularly those who are disadvantaged. It also emphasizes gender equality and inclusive education in all activities.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Laos-Australia-Collaborate-to-Support-Non-Lao-Speaking-Students.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-07-26 04:36:002024-07-17 16:38:13Laos, Australia Collaborate to Support Non-Lao Speaking Students
European Union, ASEAN Boost Education, Research Ties through Global Gateway Strategy
In a landmark discussion hosted by the Ambassador of the European Union (EU), Sujiro Seam, the EU, ASEAN and leading scholars from both regions came together to enhance cooperation in education and research.
The Partners’ Dialogue focused on the transformative impact of the Global Gateway strategy in ASEAN, emphasizing innovation, research collaboration, sustainable development, and the exchange of students and academics between the two regions.
Launched in 2021, the Global Gateway strategy aims to tackle the most pressing global challenges, from fighting climate change to improving health systems and boosting the competitiveness and security of global supply chains. Between 2021 and 2027, the EU and its Member States, together as Team Europe, committed to mobilizing at least EUR 10 billion (USD 10.9 billion) of investments for sustainable and high-quality projects in the ASEAN region, taking into account the needs of partner countries and ensuring lasting benefits for local communities.
“People-to-people connectivity and investment in education and research are key components of the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership,” Sujiro Seam, EU Ambassador to ASEAN, said. “Today in our Partners’ Dialogue, we celebrated the EU-ASEAN cooperation on education and research and explored avenues to further develop this cooperation in the context of the EU Global Gateway Strategy, working with partners for the betterment of our regions and their people” he added.
The EU-funded Erasmus Program and Horizon Europe are just two examples of successful collaboration in the field of higher education and research. Students, scholars, and universities in ASEAN benefited from the Erasmus program through student and scholar exchanges, postgraduate scholarships, and support for university partnerships.
In the field of research, Horizon Europe is the world’s biggest publicly funded multilateral research and innovation program. It offers researchers and innovators outside Europe the opportunity to participate in EU-funded collaborative research and innovation actions. It aims to tackle global challenges, including building green, digital, healthy and resilient societies.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/07/17/european-union-asean-boost-education-research-ties-through-global-gateway-strategy/
Laos, VietJet Sign Air Transport Agreement, Creating Over 2,000 Jobs
The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation and VietJet Airline have agreed to enhance air transportation between Laos and Vietnam, which is expected to create up to 2,500 new jobs in the aviation sector.
The two sides signed an agreement on 11 July in Vientiane Capital, with VietJet set to collaborate with the Department of Civil Aviation of Laos on various aviation-related projects aimed at expanding air transport activities within Laos. The airline also plans to establish its Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) facilities in Laos, training the new workforce to meet international aviation standards.
This project aims to provide affordable flight options and high-quality air services for both Lao nationals and international tourists. Additionally, it is expected to promote socio-economic development, trade, tourism connectivity, and cultural exchange between Laos and its regional neighbors.
Meanwhile, Laos’ Department of Civil Aviation will support these efforts by providing administrative, legal, and facility assistance and coordinating with other agencies to ensure the project’s successful execution.
This collaboration is part of a broader strategic cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, as outlined in their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Strategic Cooperation in Transport for the 2016–2025 period.
Vietnam is currently one of Laos’ largest investors and trading partners, with 255 investment projects totaling USD 5.5 billion. These projects, primarily in the transport, tourism, science, and technology sectors, promote trade exchanges, sustainable development, and shared prosperity for Laos, Vietnam, and the wider region.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/07/16/laos-vietjet-sign-air-transport-agreement-creating-over-2500-jobs/
Laos, Australia Collaborate to Support Non-Lao Speaking Students
In a significant step towards inclusive education, the Lao Research Institute for Education Science (RIES) under the Ministry of Education and Sports, in partnership with the Australian government, organized a “Spoken Lao Program (SLP)” stakeholder forum on 11 July in Vientiane to improve Lao language learning and teaching.
The forum celebrated the program’s success, reflected on the outcomes of supporting non-Lao-speaking students, and strategized future expansions.
According to Uthid Thipmany, the deputy director of RIES, the Lao speaking program, designed to strengthen Lao language skills for Grade 1 students, has shown positive outcomes since its initial pilot in 2019. In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the program expanded to 21 districts with additional support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
During the trial phase, teaching was observed in 597 classrooms, with 1,424 teachers conducting weekly reflections, and 602 non-Lao speaking students participating in tests. Uthid reported that the students received Lao speaking lessons three times a week and improved their test scores by 20 percent.
Meanwhile, 94 percent of the teachers interviewed stated that these lessons significantly helped non-Lao speaking students learn the language faster and engage better in all subjects.
Uthid further highlighted the need for Lao speaking lessons to be available in every school where students require additional help with Lao language because it is not their main language at home. He also expressed optimism in continuing the collaboration to ensure all Grade 1 teachers receive the necessary training and resources for teaching Lao language lessons.
Vanessa Hegarty, First Secretary at the Australian Embassy, acknowledged Laos’ cultural diversity, noting that over 50 languages are spoken across the country. She highlighted that many children, especially in rural and remote areas, speak languages other than Lao when they start school, making the development of basic Lao language skills in primary school essential for their continued educational success.
The program is part of the Basic Education Quality and Access in Lao (BEQUAL) Project, led by the Lao government with support from the Australian government and USAID, focuses on improving learning outcomes for young people across the country, particularly those who are disadvantaged. It also emphasizes gender equality and inclusive education in all activities.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/07/15/laos-australia-collaborate-to-support-non-lao-speaking-students/