RECSAM 50th Anniversary Coffee Table Book

112 Prof. Masami Isoda Director of CRICED (Center for Research on International Cooperation in Educational Development) University of Tsukuba, Tokyo, Japan Since 1954, Japan has strongly supported the development of Southeast Asia. RECSAM has been supported by JICA. In 1982, Mr. Atsushi Kubota, an Elementary Teacher of UT, had worked as a JICA specialist in RECSAM. I visited RECSAM 20 years ago for the Asian Technology Conference in Mathematics in 1997 at University Science Malaysia (USM). Then, I have become the frequent visitor of RECSAM for research collaboration. Since 2006, I have been working with Southeast Asia as a project overseer on APEC Lesson Study Project. Under these collaborations, UT became an af fi liated member of SEAMEO in 2009. I also supported the JICA-Malaysia training program for Africa from RECSAM side. In the last 10 years, RECSAM has presented a leading role in the practice of lesson study on the APEC project and by adopting lesson study in the teacher professional development courses. The software, dbookpro, appeared as a course. Currently, I am engaged as the consultant in developing the Southeast Asian Basic Education Standards, CCRLS for Mathematics. The outcomes will be published and used in Southeast Asia as well as worldwide. I feel honoured to be given a chance to contribute my experiences meaningfully and enjoy working together. Last but not least, I would also like to acknowledge the collaborations rendered by all the past directors and specialists, as well as the current co-workers. Congratulations, RECSAM! We have walked a long way. And I still wish to continue walking with you. Mr. Nakazawa Shigeki Project Formulation Advisor Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Malaysia Of fi ce I am delighted to know that SEAMEO RECSAM is celebrating the 50 th Anniversary of its activities. Many congratulations to the staffs and the organisation on a great number of achievements and milestones. I fi rst got to know about SEAMEO RECSAM was about 20 years ago when I was engaged with the Japan-ASEAN Solidarity Fund under ASEAN Foundation. Although the project with RECSAM did not materialize, I still remember my visit to RECSAM main building at that time. When I was assigned to JICA Malaysia Of fi ce as Project Formulation Advisor of South-South Cooperation in 2015 and visited RECSAM again for the implementation of a training programme for African countries, I quickly recalledmy fi rst visit. The robust image of the capacity of staffs and the organisation has not only remained intact, but also enhanced in this region as a leader of science and mathematics education. I wish RECSAM and its staffs all the success for many more years to come. I also hope that RECSAM’s reputations will transcend beyond the region as a global centre of excellence on science and mathematics education in tandem with robust growth in Asia. Dr. Janchai Yingprayoon Consultant Thailand Kudos to RECSAM for completing 50 years of success in international educational collaborations. I have been working with RECSAM since 1982. I can see the tremendous growth and eminent goodwill in the community. RECSAM has always tried to provide the best services to educators in this region. The services are always marvelous and appreciable. Congratulations to RECSAM for the fruitful journey of 50 years of hard work and success. I am sure that RECSAM will continue its journey to charter out the same for the education of unknown future. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours.