Growing links with Southeast Asia

Cambridge Partnership for Education is now a UK-ASEAN Business Council (UKABC) partner. UKABC helps identify opportunities for collaboration in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Cambridge has worked in the Asia Pacific region for more than 140 years. The global publishing and assessment organisation, part of the University of Cambridge, has local offices in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore,Thailand and Vietnam, and supports governments and organisations across the region to develop their education systems. Recent work has included introducing efficient, high-quality textbook development and supporting digital strategy in Thailand, and collaborating with the Vietnam Education Publishing House on textbooks and digital education projects. In 2016, Cambridge signed an agreement with the Ministry of Education in Malaysia to deliver a five-year programme of consultancy services to raise the standard of English language learning, teaching and assessment. In 2019, Cambridge signed a Memorandum of Collaboration with the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training, extended in March 2021, to work together on English language teaching and assessments around the country.

The UK recently became ASEAN’s first new dialogue partner in 25 years, which diplomatic leads described as providing ‘a platform for enhanced UK-ASEAN cooperation, driving sustainable, inclusive and resilient economic growth’. As a UKABC partner, Cambridge will be involved in the expanding programme of UK-ASEAN events and discussions, developing key connections to continue to support existing Ministry partners and develop new relationships around education reform from every angle.  

Our growing network in Southeast Asia will help us provide our valued partners in the region the very best support to further develop inclusive education systems that equip the next generation with the skills they need to thrive. Education plays an important role in driving forward sustainable economic growth, and we’re looking forward to bringing it to the fore of renewed UK-ASEAN collaboration as a UKABC partner.” Annie Michailidou, Head of Global Engagement, Cambridge Partnership for Education.