Dr. Kessara Amornvuthivorn, Director, Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organisation (SEAMEO) STEM ED

Since 2005, I have used my fourteen-year private sector and entrepreneurship experience in information technology and hospitality to successfully organize and manage large-scale education projects in Southeast Asia. My professional interests focus on promoting the use of evidence-based policies and practices in enhancing the capacity of human resource development especially in basic education leading towards increased social and economic prosperity. I received a PhD in development administration from The Graduate School of Public Administration, National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), Thailand. During 2011-2013, I assisted researchers from Teachers College in monitoring and evaluating two large-scale educational projects in Thailand studying the impact of teacher and principal professional development with enhanced curriculum materials in science and math on classroom practices and student performance.

I joined SEAMEO STEM-ED in 2019 as Programme Director and was appointed Centre Director in November 2025. In this role, I provide strategic leadership across operations, policy advocacy, and regional partnerships to strengthen STEM education systems throughout Southeast Asia. I oversee governance, financial sustainability, and research dissemination, while actively engaging with stakeholders from government, industry, civil society, and international organizations. My focus is on advancing inclusive, evidence-based initiatives that build a diverse, future-ready workforce and contribute to sustainable development across the region.