SEAMEO Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development

The SEAMEO Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development (RIHED) is an organization that plays a crucial role in higher education in Southeast Asia. Established in 1995, RIHED is one of the 20 regional centres of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), which is a regional intergovernmental organization that promotes cooperation in education, science and culture among Southeast Asian countries.

RIHED's main objective is to enhance the quality of higher education in the region by providing support and assistance to higher education institutions, policymakers and stakeholders. The organization focuses on four main areas: quality assurance and accreditation, internationalization, research and development and capacity building.

One of RIHED's key roles is to promote quality assurance and accreditation in higher education institutions in Southeast Asia. The organization provides training and capacity building programs for quality assurance officers and assessors, as well as support for the development of national quality assurance frameworks.

RIHED also plays a vital role in promoting internationalization in higher education in the region. The organization facilitates partnerships and collaborations between higher education institutions in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world, as well as provides support for the development of internationalization strategies and policies.

Research and development is another area of focus for RIHED. The organization conducts research on various aspects of higher education in Southeast Asia, including trends, challenges and best practices. RIHED also provides support for research projects and initiatives that aim to improve the quality of higher education in the region.

Finally, RIHED is committed to capacity building in higher education. The organization provides training and professional development programs for higher education administrators, faculty and staff, as well as support for the development of institutional capacity building plans.

In conclusion, the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development plays an important role in promoting and enhancing the quality of higher education in Southeast Asia. Through its various programs and initiatives, RIHED supports higher education institutions, policymakers and stakeholders in the region and contributes to the development of a more robust and sustainable higher education sector in Southeast Asia.