From Director Desk

On March 27 2008, SEAMOLEC has recorded its historical event as it has conducted directorship turnover from Prof. Dr. Paulina Pannen to myself, Gatot Hari Priowirjanto. The officiation by Minister of National Education (MoNE), Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Bambang Sudibyo took place at the Ministry of National Education building, Jakarta.

The New SEAMEO Secretariat Director, Dr. Dato' Ahamad bin Sipon accompanied by SEAMEO Secretariat Deputy Director Program and Marketing, Dr. Wahdi S.A. Yudhi visited SEAMOLEC on January 24 2008. The occasion was indeed an introductory visit of Dr. Sipon as SEAMES Director. All staff members were gathered in the event presenting SEAMOLEC programs to Dr. Sipon.

SEAMOLEC has been honored to be visited by The Minister of National Education, Prof. Dr. Bambang Sudibyo on March 5 2008. During his visit, Prof. Sudibyo was giving his thoughts and advices for the betterment of SEAMOLEC. The most important thing mentioned by the minister was that SEAMOLEC need to be the world-class centre of Open and Distance Learning through cooperation with many institutions and also to support teacher development/training in Indonesia.

In relations with its 11th anniversary, SEAMOLEC conducted a one-day seminar entitled "Integration of Concepts and Values in Water Sanitation Management, Local Wisdom and Multicultural Perspectives into the Curriculum of Schools in Aceh: Alternative Curriculum Development". The seminar took place in Nangroe Aceh Darussalam on February 27 2008. It was one sub-activity under the Alternative Curriculum Development for Aceh which is funded by Deutsche Bank (2006-2008) under the umbrella of the program on HELP for Aceh and North Sumatera: SEAMEO Program on Rehabilitation of Education in Aceh and North Sumatera Post-Tsunami Earthquake.

SEAMOLEC is planning to add new institutions as its partners and implementing new projects as a future agenda. Over the past three years, SEAMOLEC has accomplished many things. Still, there will be many challenges ahead that need to be done by SEAMOLEC. I am hoping that SEAMOLEC will continually grow in the future by synergizing with other parties. With good networks and partnerships, SEAMOLEC envisioning to serve one million clients by the year 2010. It is indeed a big dream of which I am certain that SEAMOLEC will be able to achieve. In accordance to that, we definitely need your full support and collaboration to achieve this goal.

Dr. Ir. Gatot Hari Priowirjanto

Director