Media OutReach

SEAMEO STEM-ED and Partners Highlight Two-Year SEA-TEP Program Success, Advancing STEM Teacher Education with Chevron’s Support

Published

4 months ago

14/08/2025

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 August 2025 – The two-year Southeast Asian Teacher Education Programme (SEA-TEP), led by SEAMEO STEM-ED (The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for STEM Education) and regional partners, through the Chevron-funded education initiative marked a significant milestone in develop scalable model for STEM teacher education reform across Southeast Asia. The programme’s achievements were presented during the Thailand International Conference on Education Research (ThaiCER) 2025: The Education for the Future during 7^th-9^th August 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand, underscoring a pivotal step forward in strengthen the capacity of STEM education for both pre-service and in-service programmes, regional collaboration, and innovative instructional practices to prepare educators to meet the demand of 21^st-century classrooms and international assessment benchmark.

SEA-TEP Final Sharing 2025

Across Southeast Asia, education systems continue to face critical challenges in teacher preparation including limited access to high-quality pre-service training, insufficient integration of interdisciplinary integration, and a lack of effective, instructional resources. Addressing these systemic gaps creates an important opportunity to enhance high-quality STEM education across the region to meet the demands of rapidly changing world. In response to these challenges, the Southeast Asian Teacher Education Programme (SEA-TEP) was launched in March 2023 with implementation in Kazakhstan, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia. SEAMEO-STEM-ED works in partnership with SEAMEO SEAMOLEC, SEAMEO RECSAM, the National STEM Association Malaysia, Caravan of Knowledge, and Cambodia’s Ministry of Education and leading regional teacher education institutions to collaboratively deliver a model for transformative teacher development through across diverse education systems.

The SEA-TEP interventions introduce innovative instructional practices for pre-service and in-service teachers, ensuring the development of phenomenon-based STEM lessons that incorporate effective strategies and digital tools. These practices are closely aligned with the OECD’s PISA 2025 Science Framework.

SEA-TEP adopts instructional materials grounded in the United States’ Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) while also responding to local classroom contexts—highlighting the importance of contextualizing STEM learning units. Participants learn to design lesson plans using the Claim–Evidence–Reasoning (CER) framework and modelling techniques. These approaches help students move beyond rote memorization, fostering evidence-based reasoning and critical thinking through curriculum innovation that reflects the competencies assessed by PISA.

Dr. Kessara Amornvuthivorn, SEAMEO STEM-ED’s Programme Director said, “The SEA-TEP model provides a structured approach to strengthening teacher education through collaboration across national and regional networks. By building the capacity of education leaders, SEA-TEP offers a scalable model for advancing STEM instruction. SEAMEO STEM-ED has partnered with implementation teams in five countries to enhance STEM teaching practices through the adoption of high-quality learning materials. The program has delivered professional development to more than 120 educators from 24 universities and teacher development institutes. Faculty members from these institutions have cascaded the training to over 1,500 pre-service and in-service teachers across 214 schools. By empowering both educators and institutions, SEA-TEP is contributing to the improvement of STEM teaching standards across participating countries and offering a promising model for regional collaboration in teacher education and development.”

Zamira Kanapyanova, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Eurasia Pacific, Chevron added, “At Chevron, we believe that empowering educators with the right tools and resources is important for nurturing the next generation of innovators, engineers, and problem-solvers. Through strategic regional programs like SEA-TEP, we aim to strengthen the foundation of STEM learning and help build a more resilient and competitive workforce for the future.”

The implementation of SEA-TEP across Southeast Asia has resulted in measurable improvements in student learning outcomes. Participating teachers reported that the SEA-TEP strategies helped students connect abstract scientific concepts with real-world applications. Notably, teachers observed clearer, evidence-based reasoning in student work, especially when using CER tools in environmental investigations. Prior to SEA-TEP’s adoption, many students struggled to apply scientific principles to everyday contexts. Post-implementation, however, classroom experiences revealed marked growth: students now demonstrate the ability to design experiments, interpret data, and make informed decisions based on diverse evidence sources. A significant improvement was also observed in students’ ability to make well-founded claims supported by concrete evidence and scientific reasoning.

These insights from teacher feedback highlight how SEA-TEP not only aligns with global education goals but also empowers educators to cultivate inquiry-based learning environments—ensuring students are equipped with the critical thinking skills needed to navigate global challenges.

First Vice-Minister of Education, Maira Meldebekova of the Republic of Kazakhstan said “SEA-TEP program is an example of fruitful international cooperation and large-scale changes in education. Such initiatives make it possible to test new formats of work with teachers, adapt and scale best practices at the national level. Teacher training modules that incorporated best practices from participating countries contributed to developing STEM approaches among teachers in Kazakhstan and transformation of STEM education.

Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our strategic partners for their contribution to development of practical and cross-functional approaches to education”.

The success of SEA-TEP lays a strong foundation for advancing policy integration in STEM teacher education across Southeast Asia and Kazakhstan. To ensure long-term impact, early engagement with decision-makers is key. In Kazakhstan, Policy recommendations emerging from the programme include revising national educational standards to promote interdisciplinary learning at the secondary level and establishing government-endorsed registries of certified STEM trainers. In response to a ministerial decree promoting innovation infrastructure within teacher training institutions, Ualikhanov University and Caravan of Knowledge are establishing a STEAM Competence Center to deliver high-quality professional development focused on STEM innovations. Furthermore, fostering regional professional learning communities (PLCs) is critical to ensure targeted teaching support and instructional leadership. These policy directions highlight how SEA-TEP model can serve as a strategic enabler for systemic STEM teacher education reform throughout Southeast Asia and Kazakhstan.

Following the regional sharing and reflection session, SEA-TEP’s final stage now focuses on consolidating key research insights, capturing best practices, and informing long-term strategies for sustainability and policy adoption. The success of SEA-TEP continues to serve as a path for advancing high-quality STEM teacher education across Southeast Asia and beyond.
Hashtag: #SEAMEOSTEMED #STEM #TEACHER #EDUCATION #SEATEP #CHEVRON

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Media OutReach

Payment Options Singapore Secures In-Principle Approval from MAS for Major Payment Institution Licence

Published

20 hours ago

08/12/2025

Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 December 2025 – Payment Options Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based payment solutions provider, is pleased to announce that it has received In-Principle Approval (IPA) from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for a Major Payment Institution (MPI) licence under the Payment Services Act 2019.

Payment Options Pte Ltd office in Singapore

This milestone underscores Payment Options’ commitment to supporting Singapore’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with simple, secure, and accessible digital payment solutions.

If granted the licence, Payment Options Pte Ltd will be authorised to provide three regulated payment services: Merchant Acquisition, Domestic Money Transfer, and Cross-Border Money Transfer. Through these services, the company aims to empower SMEs with a full suite of payment capabilities — from online payment gateways and QR code payments to the upcoming SoftPOS payments technology — enabling merchants to accept digital payments easily and securely.

“We remain deeply committed to supporting Singapore’s SMEs as they grow and compete in an increasingly digital-first economy. Our vision is to position digital payments as a growth enabler — not a challenge — for small businesses”, said Aaron Yip, Director of Payment Options Pte Ltd. “Our goal is to make digital transactions seamless, secure, and accessible for every business, regardless of size.”

Building on this vision, if the licence is granted, Payment Options will continue to work closely with local merchants, financial institutions, and technology partners to enhance payment accessibility and drive innovation across Singapore’s SME ecosystem.

“We reaffirm our commitment to regulatory compliance and innovation, as we contribute to Singapore’s ongoing journey toward a secure, inclusive, and cash-lite economy.”

The IPA granted by the MAS indicates that a licence may be issued upon the fulfilment of specified conditions and provided there are no material adverse developments affecting the applicant. The IPA does not constitute a licence to provide payment services at this stage, and MAS reserves the right to rescind the approval if it deems appropriate.
Hashtag: #PaymentOptions

https://www.paymentoptions.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/payment-options/
https://www.facebook.com/PaymentOptions.int/
https://www.instagram.com/payment.options/

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Payment Options Pte Ltd

Payment Options Pte Ltd is a Singapore-based financial technology company providing innovative and secure payment solutions designed to help SMEs and merchants simplify digital transactions. With a focus on compliance, technology, and customer experience, the company aims to make digital payments accessible for every business.

Media OutReach

Financial Assistance at SIM: Breaking Barriers to Education

Published

21 hours ago

08/12/2025

Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 December 2025 – For many aspiring learners, financial constraints remain one of the biggest obstacles to achieving their goals. SIM is determined to change that. Guided by the principle that no student should be left behind because of cost, SIM has built a comprehensive ecosystem of financial aid, scholarships, and bursaries to make quality education attainable for all.

At the heart of this mission is the SIM Impact Fund, a S$60 million initiative dedicated to empowering students from diverse backgrounds and ensuring that financial hardship never stands in the way of academic or personal growth. By blending need-based assistance with merit-driven opportunities, SIM is creating an inclusive learning environment where talent and ambition define success.

Empowering Learners Through the SIM Impact Fund

In 2024, SIM introduced the SIM Impact Fund, a S$60 million initiative dedicated to supporting students from lower-income households and ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder educational aspirations. Administered through SIM Trust, the fund is designed to empower learners within and beyond SIM’s community by removing barriers to access. Beginning in 2025, Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents with a per-capita income of S$1,750 or below can benefit from tiered assistance, ranging from S$6,000 up to S$13,500 for those with PCI of S$600 or less, S$4,500 to S$6,750 for PCI between S$601 and S$1,000, and S$2,000 for PCI between S$1,001 and S$1,750. Beyond tuition aid, the fund also provides support for overseas internships and merit-based scholarships, benefiting approximately 500 students annually.

Beyond Tuition: Comprehensive Financial Aid

SIM’s commitment to learning accessibility goes far beyond tuition subsidies. Through its Financial Assistance schemes, students can tap into a range of support options tailored to different needs. These include Enhanced Bursaries Aid, which provide up to S$13,500 per year for Singapore Citizens, and a SIM GE Crisis Fund offering emergency relief of up to S$5,000 for unforeseen circumstances. In addition, SIM encourages global exposure through Study Abroad Awards, enabling students to broaden their horizons without financial strain. Together, these initiatives reflect SIM’s ethos of inclusivity and resilience, ensuring that financial challenges never derail academic aspirations.

Community-Focused Support

The Dr Richard K M Eu – SIM Social Entrepreneurship Centre (RESSEC) exemplifies SIM’s deep-rooted commitment to community empowerment and social impact. Launched in July 2024 in partnership with the late Dr Eu’s family,

RESSEC received a combined S$8 million donation, S$6 million from the Eu family and S$2 million from SIM, marking a significant investment in nurturing social entrepreneurship. Guided by Dr Eu’s vision of transforming social service through ethical leadership and innovation, the Centre equips learners and social service professionals via initiatives such as a specialised postgraduate Diploma in Social Entrepreneurship, mentorship, and collaborative dialogues.

RESSEC also provides 12 bursaries of S$10,000 each for SIM Global Education students (check that this is accurate and that it’s not also extended to those outside the SIM ecosystem) who demonstrate strong community service and leadership and those with per-capita income up to S$1,750, prioritising those with per-capita income less than S$1,000. Through this initiative, SIM embeds purpose-driven learning into its mission, empowering students to create sustainable, positive impact in Singapore and beyond

Scholarship for Excellence

SIM offers a diverse range of scholarships under SIM Global Education to recognize excellence and resilience among its students. These include the SIM STARRR Award, which provides up to S$36,000 to outstanding achievers who demonstrate academic distinction and leadership qualities, and the Sports & Arts Talent Award, also valued at S$15,000 for students who excel in athletic or artistic pursuits. Additionally, the Chairman’s Award for Resilience grants S$3,000 to students who successfully balance work and study commitments, showcasing perseverance in the face of challenges. Together, these scholarships complement SIM’s need-based financial aid, creating a holistic support system that rewards merit while ensuring inclusivity.

Conclusion: Building a Future Without Barriers

SIM’s financial assistance framework is more than a set of policies, it is a promise to the community. By investing in initiatives like the SIM Impact Fund and expanding bursaries and scholarships, SIM is actively dismantling the barriers that prevent talented individuals from reaching their potential. This approach does not just benefit students, it strengthens society by cultivating a diverse pool of graduates equipped to lead, innovate, and give back. In a world where education often comes with a hefty price tag, SIM stands out as a beacon of accessibility and empowerment. For students and families seeking assurance that quality education is within reach, SIM offers not just hope but a clear, actionable path forward.

References:

Bursaries & Financial Aid (Enhanced) – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/admissions/bursaries-and-financial-aids
Dr Richard K M Eu – SIM Social Entrepreneurship Centre (RESSEC) – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/sim-global-education/ressec
The Dr Richard K M Eu – SIM Social Entrepreneurship Centre (RESSEC) Opens to Advance Singapore’s Social Sector – https://www.sim.edu.sg/news-events/the-dr-richard-k-m-eu-sim-social-entrepreneurship-centre-%28ressec%29-opens
SIM Scholarship – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/admissions/scholarships
SIM’s STARRR Award – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/admissions/scholarships/sim-starrr-award-for-new-undergraduate-students
SIM Award and Sports & Artistic Award – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/admissions/scholarships/sim-global-education-scholarship
SIM Global Education Diploma Scholarships – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/admissions/scholarships/sim-global-education-diploma-scholarships
Chairman’s Award for Resilience – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/admissions/scholarships/chairman-s-award-for-resilience

Hashtag: #SIMGlobalEducation #SIMGE #GlobalEducation #InternationalDegree #CareerReady #FutureSkills

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About SIM Global Education

SIM Global Education (SIM GE) is a leading private education institution in Singapore and the region. We offer more than 140 academic programmes ranging from diplomas and graduate diploma programmes to bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes with some of the world’s most reputable universities from Australia, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, and the United States. SIM GE’s cohort is made up of 16,000 full- and part-time students and adult learners, of which approximately 36% are international students hailing from over 50 countries.

SIM GE’s holistic learning approach and culturally diverse learning environment aim to equip students with knowledge, industry skills and employability competencies, as well as a global perspective to succeed as future leaders in a fast-changing, technologically driven world.

For more information on SIM Global Education, visit sim.edu.sg

Media OutReach

Beyond Academic Excellence: SIM Scholarships Champion Leadership, Resilience, and Talent

Published

2 days ago

07/12/2025

Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 December 2025 – The Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) is proud to reaffirm its commitment to developing future-ready graduates through a comprehensive scholarship framework that goes beyond academic achievement. These scholarships are designed to recognize and nurture qualities such as leadership, resilience, and talent. These attributes are essential for success in today’s dynamic global environment.

For decades, scholarships have been synonymous with academic excellence. SIM is redefining this narrative by adopting a holistic approach that values character, contribution, and courage alongside academic performance. This initiative reflects SIM’s mission to prepare graduates who are adaptable, innovative, and socially responsible.

Scholarships That Go Beyond Academics

SIM’s scholarship ecosystem reflects its belief that success is multidimensional. Rather than focusing solely on grades, these awards celebrate qualities such as resilience, leadership, and talent. The SIM STARRR Award, for instance, supports freshmen who embody Resilience, Resourcefulness, and Responsibility, offering up to S$36,000 in tuition fees, along with living and exchange allowances, without any bond requirement.

For students who shine in sports or the arts, the SIM Award & Sports/Artistic Talent Award provides S$15,000, disbursed in two tranches, to help them balance academic and extracurricular excellence.

International students pursuing diploma programmes can benefit from the Diploma Scholarships, which cover up to 100% of course fees for academic excellence or 50% for merit-based achievements.

For working adults who have overcome significant challenges, the SIM Chairman’s Award for Resilience offers S$3,000, recognizing perseverance and determination in the face of adversity.

Stories That Inspire

SIM’s scholarships are more than financial aid. They are catalysts for transformation, opening doors for students to turn challenges into triumphs. Take Ernita Tanudjaja, an international student who refused to let pandemic disruptions derail her ambitions. Instead, she leveraged technology to livestream events and boost engagement, showcasing resilience and resourcefulness.

Similarly, Chow Kah Ying, an ICU nurse, managed the intense demands of frontline healthcare during COVID-19 while completing her degree, showcasing perseverance and purpose. Likewise, Michelle Seah transformed O-level failure into triumph, excelling in javelin and academics to earn the SIM Sports & Artistic Talent Award, proof that determination and discipline can rewrite any story.

These journeys reflect SIM’s unwavering belief that leadership and resilience matter as much as grades, and that true achievement lies in character and contribution as much as in academic performance.

The Broader Vision

SIM’s scholarships represent more than financial assistance. They serve as a strategic platform for transformation and growth. Recipients benefit from networking opportunities that connect them with alumni and industry leaders, fostering mentorship and career development. Many scholarships also provide international exposure through exchange programmes that broaden perspectives and enhance global competencies.

In addition to academic achievement, students cultivate essential life skills such as leadership, resilience and adaptability through experiential learning and community engagement. These qualities equip graduates to excel in uncertain environments and contribute meaningfully to society.

This commitment reflects SIM’s core belief that education is not limited to examinations. It is about shaping leaders who create impact and drive positive change in a rapidly evolving world.

References: