From February 9 to 12, 2026, the 14th Regional Congress "Search for SEAMEO Young Scientists" (SSYS 2026) was held at the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Education in Science and Mathematics (SEAMEO RECSAM) in Penang, Malaysia. As a key partner, the UNESCO International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education (INRULED) deeply participated in the Congress. Dr. Qi Xinjian, Assistant Director of INRULED, was invited to serve as a judge for the project evaluations, while Ms. Fang Yuan'an, Programme Coordinator of INRULED, also attended the congress.
Themed "Greenovate: Youth Turning Vision into Action for a Sustainable Future," the Congress attracted over 600 participants from Southeast Asian countries and dialogue partner nations. A total of 174 youth innovative projects were shortlisted for exhibition, focusing on cutting-edge issues such as green education, sustainable development, and climate change response, covering fields like biotechnology, environmental science, and smart agriculture. Malaysia's Minister of Education, YB Puan Fadhlina Sidek, attended the closing ceremony and delivered a speech.
As a judge, Dr. Qi Xinjian participated throughout the project evaluation process, assessing entries from the perspectives of scientific merit, innovation, social value, and sustainability. He also engaged in in-depth exchanges with science educators from Southeast Asian countries on practical experiences in leveraging STEM education to promote sustainable development.
A variety of thematic activities were organized during the Congress, including ecological workshops at Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm, Water Watch initiatives, thematic seminars by the Green Growth Asia Foundation, and sharing sessions by the Penang Green Council, providing participants with immersive learning and networking opportunities.
During the event, the INRULED delegation visited SEAMEO RECSAM and held a working meeting with its Centre Director, Dr. Azman bin Jusoh. The two sides discussed deepening youth-focused collaboration under the SSYS framework and jointly advancing a capacity-building project for Southeast Asian science teachers in STEM+AI, reaching preliminary consensus on next steps for cooperation.
As one of the main partners of this Congress, INRULED's active engagement further strengthened its connection with the STEM education network in Southeast Asia. Moving forward, INRULED will continue to leverage its expertise in rural education and sustainable development to promote regional youth innovation in science and technology and deepen comprehensive cooperation with educational institutions across Southeast Asia.