RECSAM 50th Anniversary Coffee Table Book

110 Assoc. Prof. Dr Miles Barker Hamilton, New Zealand I’ve returned to RECSAM many times since my fi rst beguiling visit in March 1994. Then, for four delicious weeks, I worked with twelve current staff members. Each day, enthusiastically and with wonderful good humour, we together pursued matters of science teaching pedagogy and science education research. The nostalgic memories of my fi rst group at RECSAM linger: the panache of Ms Teresita, the admirable wisdom of Mr Hong, the whimsy of Mr Michael Liau, the gentle appreciation of Dr Adriana, the buring intensity of Dr Vantipa. The gracious lifestyle of RECSAM in those early days was a delight. Maybe admirable intentions were sometimes not always ful fi lled, but RESCAM’S overall ambience was outstandingly stimulating for the mind, and a healing balm for the spirit. On my many subsequent visits, I have witnessed RESCAM’s admirably more cosmopolitan, digital and sophisticated ambience - but RECSAM will always be a special place I treasure. Dr. Jack Holbrook Visiting Professor and PhD Supervisor in Science Education, University of Tartu, Estonia Past President and Executive Secretary, ICASE May I offer my congratulations to RECSAM on attaining 50 years of promoting science and technology education. This is a major achievement for a centre serving SEAMEO countries and guiding science and mathematics educators coming from countries with many diverse languages andbackgrounds. I havebeen involved with RECSAM over the years, mainly as the Executive Secretary of ICASE (International Council of Associations for Science Education). ICASE and RECSAM held an Asian regional conference in 1986, followed by initiatives to enhance scienti fi c and technological literacy worldwide. leading to a trainer of trainers manual. This acted as a trigger for 21 st century initiatives. RECSAM has formed a solid base for future developments to enhance worldwide developments in science and mathematics education for the 21 st century – a necessity in the face of ever developing social change and technological advancements. Professor Beverly J. Ferrucci Professor of Mathematics Keene State College, Keene NH, USA I extend my heartiest congratulations to SEAMEO RECSAM for fi ve decades of successfully enhancing the mathematics, science, and technology education in Southeast Asia. Particularly, one has to admire the work of RECSAM Specialists, Associates, and Directors who have had, and continue to have, such a positive impact on policy makers, administrators, teachers, and other educators in Southeast Asia and around the world. I am especially grateful to RECSAM for providing me with the opportunity to interact with the outstanding members of the Science and Mathematics Training Programme Division and the Research and Development Division during my time at the Penang Campus in 2015. The hospitality and professionalism of the Science andMathematics people and the entire RECSAM community have left a profoundly positive impression on me. Warmest congratulations for these well-deserved 50 years of success and I wish SEAMEO RECSAM continued success for many more half centuries to come.