Public talks

dr. Nannaphat Saenghong (Thailand, Chiang Mai University, Department of  Educational Foundations and Development): From Classroom to Region: A Decade of Teaching Multicultural Education and the Search for Inclusive Teacher Training

This year marks my 10th year teaching multicultural education to pre-service teachers in Northern Thailand—an experience that has shaped my understanding of inclusion, identity, and equity in education. Over time, I began asking, how are other countries in Southeast Asia preparing their teachers for diversity? This question led me to a comparative research project exploring teacher education policies in five countries. In this talk, I’ll reflect on what I’ve learned from both the classroom and the policy level and share why building multicultural competence in teacher education is not just an academic task but a regional responsibility. I’ll also invite a conversation on how we might move forward together through shared learning and collaboration.

Bio:

Nannaphat Saenghong is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Chiang Mai University, Thailand. Since 2015, she has taught courses in multicultural education with a strong focus on developing multicultural competence among pre-service teachers. Her research examines multicultural teacher education and education policy across Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand. She is also affiliated with the Centre for Multiculturalism and Education Policy (Multied) at Chiang Mai University. Her recent work focuses on strengthening multicultural competence among in-service teachers in Chiang Mai, and she is currently developing a self-paced online training course to support educators working in culturally diverse classrooms.

Dr. Pisith Nasee (Thailand, Chiang Mai University, Division of Social Science Education, Faculty of Education): From Margins to Momentum: Intercultural Education and the Power of Listening

I work at the intersection of teaching, research, and community engagement. And if there's one belief that drives everything I do, it’s this: education—when rooted in justice and listening—can turn the margins into momentum. I live and work in Chiang Mai, a city of contrast: cultural richness, but also deep inequality. It is home to diverse ethnic groups, migrant workers, and stateless populations—many of whom face persistent barriers to meaningful education. In this context, intercultural education cannot be reduced to festivals or flags. It must engage the structural questions: Who belongs? Who decides? Whose knowledge counts? My research aligns with this vision. From projects on stateless youth and migrant children in urban schools, to collaborative work with UNHCR, UNICEF, and NGOs like MAP Foundation, I’ve seen how multicultural education can be a site of resistance and possibility—but only if we listen to those it’s meant to serve.

Bio:

Pisith Nasee is an Assistant Professor and Head of the Division of Social Science Education, Faculty of Education, Chiang Mai University (CMU), Thailand. He currently also serves as Chair of the Graduate Program in Education. He is also the head of the Research Center for Multiculturalism and Education Policy at CMU. He teaches Multicultural Education to pre-service teachers and various graduate courses. His research focuses on development, multicultural education, critical pedagogy, and social justice, particularly in urban contexts and marginalized communities. Beyond his academic endeavors, Pisith has been actively involved in civil society initiatives. Since 2022, he has served as a board member of the MAP Foundation (Foundation for the Health and Knowledge of Ethnic Labor).