Thailand’s Participation in AQRF Committee Meeting and the 11th ADB International Education and Skills Forum
On December 2, 2025, the Philippine Qualifications Framework National Coordinating Council (PQF-NCC) organized the Opening Event of the ASEAN Qualifications Referencing Framework Committee Meeting with the theme “Shaping Future-Ready Qualifications: Connecting Skills, Competencies, and Occupations for Lifelong Learning in ASEAN”. For Thailand’s representation in the ASEAN Qualifications Referencing Framework Committee (AQRFC), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prawit Erawan, Secretary-General of the Office of the Education Council, Ministry of Education, assigned Dr. Kanjana Hongrat, Director of the National Qualifications Framework Bureau, to attend the meeting as Thailand’s delegate and speaker. She contributed to the exchange of knowledge on qualifications frameworks, workforce skills development, and investment directions for human capital development in the Asia-Pacific region. The meeting was held at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Headquarters in Manila, Republic of the Philippines.
Dr. Kanjana participated in the panel discussion on “National Experiences in Referencing and Reform: Building Blocks of the AQRF: Lessons from ASEAN Member States” alongside AQRF committee members from the Philippines, Malaysia, Negara Brunei Darussalam, and Cambodia.
Additionally, representing Thailand, Dr. Siripan Choomnoom, member of Thailand’s NQF Committee, joined the panel discussion on Global and Regional Perspectives towards Qualifications Frameworks in a Time of Transformation. Asst. Prof. Dr. Suvaluk Asavasanti, ADB Advisor, together with representatives from the Office of the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO), also attended the meeting. The event was warmly welcomed and supported with information by Ms. Kochakorn Khattapan Acidre, Centre Deputy Director, SEAMEO-INNOTECH.
Thailand has advanced the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) under the NQF Committee, with key lessons learned including: 1) Driving workforce development that responds to the realities of working life; 2) Indicating the levels of AQRF and NQF on qualification certificates, using the registration and accreditation system under the National Qualifications Framework (NQF Dashboard) as a key mechanism; 3) Utilizing the credit bank system as a major mechanism for flexible learning development; 4) Developing essential management systems for the credit bank system; 5) Introducing micro-credentials into curriculum development and implementing them through digital platforms.
In addition, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) organized the 11th ADB International Education and Skills Forum: Applying a Fresh Lens to Unlock the Power of Human Capital from December 3–5, 2025. The forum brought together more than 300 government officials, policy makers, academics, private sector leaders, international organizations, and experts from more than 40 countries across Asia and the Pacific to discuss emerging trends and strategic reforms in education and skills development. The aim was to strengthen education systems and jointly identify global challenges in key areas of education and training development, such as: 1) Technological transitions; 2) Promoting green skills for sustainable growth; 3) The role of education and training in employment for future key industries, e.g., elderly healthcare, smart agriculture, eco-friendly transportation systems, clean energy, and hydropower; 4) Establishing new partnerships for investment in education from early childhood to upper secondary levels; 5) Allocating resources and investments to strengthen vocational education and training focused on employability and competitiveness; 6) Developing education and research systems to foster future innovations through science and technology.
