Our Story

Centre of Choice

Our Story

SEAMEO Regional Language Centre (RELC) was one of the first centres established by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) in 1968. Its major objective was the improvement of the teaching of English as a second or foreign language in member states.

Centre of Choice

We are a unique centre within the region. At SEAMEO RELC, we do not just design, develop, and teach language education courses, we also provide hosting facilities such as interactive learning rooms, and pleasant hotel rooms with the comforts of home, to our partners, clients and course participants. With the RELC Library, which is also known to be one of the world’s top applied linguistics resource centre in the region, our course participants are assured of quality teaching, research and learning at our Centre of Choice.

Our Role With The Region

Since it began operations in July 1968, SEAMEO RELC has worked to develop and support language education in the countries of Southeast Asia.

The member countries of SEAMEO are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.

Associate members are Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Kingdom of Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain and United Kingdom.

Mission & Vision

We believe that language education will lead to an improved quality of life for people in the region and to greater international cooperation.

Mission

We are dedicated to the development of language education in the region and the promotion of international cooperation among language professionals.

Vision

To be the Centre of Excellence in Language Education and research in the region and beyond.

2020

2010

2000

1990

1980

1970

1968

The Centre embraced new opportunities and agilely pivoted to new training delivery modes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

SEAMEO RELC celebrated 50 years of excellence by remembering and reflecting on its eventful and fulfilling journey of enduring legacy of impact on the lives of so many, and it’s very bright prospects ahead.

The New Millennium
In 2000, SEAMEO RELC launched its first series of Grammar Matters which topped the Straits Times’ Bestsellers list.

SEAMEO RELC’s dedicated efforts in contributing towards language education in the region were recognised when the organisation received the ASEAN Award for its outstanding contributions towards the promotion and development of regional friendship, international understanding, goodwill and cooperation among Southeast Asian nations.

SEAMEO RELC increased its footprint in language education through the publication of the RELC Journal, the Portfolio series and the Anthology series, which were widely distributed throughout the region.

The name of SEAMEO Regional English Language Centre was changed to SEAMEO Regional Language Centre to reflect its expanded role of assisting member countries in teaching other languages that had social and economic importance at a national or regional level, beyond improving the teaching of English.

The Birth
The primary aim of the SEAMEO Regional English Language Centre was to maintain and raise the standards of the teaching and learning of English in the countries of Southeast Asia.

Leadership

The Centre is a not-for-profit regional institution administered by a Centre Director under the overall policy direction of the Governing Board. The Board is composed of one representative from each member country appointed by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Council on the recommendation of the Minister of Education of each country.

  • Ms Susan Leong
  • Center Director / CEO
  • Dr Alvin Pang
  • Dean of TRAC (Training Research, Assessment & Consultancy Division)
  • Dr Liz Chan
  • Division Manager of EB (Examinations Bureau)
  • Ms Flora Bay
  • Centre Secretary
  • Ms Jessie To
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Ms Chua Siew Lian
  • Chief Human Resource Officer
  • Mr Andrew Lau
  • Chief Information Officer
  • Ms Choo Hung Yee
  • Division Manager of SA (Scholarship and Administrative Division)
  • Ms Susan Leong
  • Center Director / CEO
  • Dr Alvin Pang
  • Dean of TRAC (Training Research, Assessment & Consultancy Division)
  • Dr Liz Chan
  • Division Manager of EB (Examinations Bureau)
  • Ms Flora Bay
  • Centre Secretary
  • Ms Jessie To
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Ms Chua Siew Lian
  • Chief Human Resource Officer
  • Mr Andrew Lau
  • Chief Information Officer
  • Mr Loo Yow Tong
  • Division Manager of SA (Scholarship and Administrative Division)

Careers

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