PMCA Foundation organizes an afternoon tea reception to thank Ambassadors from ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste to Thailand, government agencies, private organizations, and media for their support on the educational activities for societies in Thailand, ASEAN and Timor-Leste, on 17 December 2020, at Suan Pakkad Palace Museum, Bangkok.
Dr Krissanapong Kirtikara, Chairman of PMCA Foundation, welcomed and thanked all honoured guests. In his welcome speech, Dr Krissanapong stated that the Foundation has held several activities during 2019 and 2020, including the school visits to meet 2019 PMCA recipients, the 3rd PMCA Ceremony, the 2nd PMCA Forum, the teacher professional development activities, the 3rd PMCA Forum, and the selection process of 2021 PMCA recipients.
These activities received great support from all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassies of ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste in Thailand, Thai Embassies and the Ministries of Education of the 11 countries, international organizations, Ministry of Interior, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Thai private companies in Thailand and in Southeast Asian countries, the Provincial level teacher selection committees, professional development organization such as Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) and mass media companies.
The Chairman then briefed the honoured guests on the details of the Foundation’s activities:
After the announcement of the 2019 PMCA recipients, the Foundation Committee Members and the representatives from partner organizations visited the ASEAN Countries and Timor-Leste to organize the teacher development activities in those countries.The delegations also met the Education Ministers and education officials in those countries, Thai Ambassadors and officials of the Royal Thai Embassies, and PMCA recipients and their schools.In addition to the visits, the Foundation has continued working with the recipients to extend the Award’s impact to the public and to develop the teacher professional skills.These activities include promotion and expansion of PMCA recipients’ previous work, study visits, and experience sharing sessions.
The Foundation has also organized two international academic conferences, the Forum, in 2019 and 2020. The 2nd PMCA Forum was organized on 16-17 October 2019 with three main activities comprising invited speeches, panel sessions, and Show and Share sessions. As for the 3rd Forum, being held on 22-23 October 2020, HRH Princess Maha Chakri presided over the Opening Ceremony on 22nd October 2020 at Siam Kempinski Hotel, Bangkok with the participations in person of the Ambassadors of ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste to Thailand and the Mayors from all Provinces in Thailand.The event was also concurrently attended by Thailand Ambassadors to ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste and High Officials from Ministries of Education of ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste via live Zoom.
The PMCA is given every two years and the Foundation has reached the 4th cycle of selection process in 2020.The Foundation has provided selection criteria and requested all related partner organizations from ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste to nominate an outstanding teacher from their respective countries.The nomination is expected to be complete by February 2021.
At the end of his speech, the Foundation Chairman invited all honoured guests to enjoy special shows: Nata-Muay Thai (Thai Boxing Dance) and Ramayana Epic of Khon Performance.
