In September, I had the privilege of representing SeeBeyondBorders UK at the UKFIET Conference in Oxford — a gathering of over 750 participants from 63 countries, all focused on mobilising knowledge, partnerships, and innovations for sustainable development through education and training.
The three-day event was intellectually stimulating and practically valuable. Sessions on learner wellbeing and inclusion, systems change, and gender equality in education particularly resonated with our mission in Cambodia. Equally enriching were the informal conversations that took place between sessions — connections that may well evolve into meaningful collaborations in the months and years ahead.
During the conference’s AGM, I was delighted to see SBBUK’s membership formally approved, following a rigorous review process involving UKFIET trustees and a formal application review. Becoming a member of UKFIET represents more than a symbolic step — it is an affirmation of SeeBeyondBorders’ role as a credible voice in international education and an opportunity to share the Cambodian perspective within education and development debates in the UK.
One of the most striking aspects of the UKFIET community is how its collaborative learning ethos mirrors our own “communities of practice” in Cambodia. Both bring together educators, researchers, and practitioners to exchange ideas, test innovations, and strengthen professional identity through dialogue. The sense of shared purpose and peer learning that drives UKFIET is exactly what underpins our teacher networks in Cambodia — local communities that are transforming classroom practice from within.
We look forward to playing our part in furthering this movement. We will soon be featured in an upcoming Organisational Spotlight, helping raise our profile among UK-based academics, practitioners, and funders.
Beyond the conference, I had meetings with donors and partners in London — including representatives from the Marr Munning Trust and the University of Nottingham. I was also pleased to meet with our SBBUK Ambassador Alex Riches who is a very valued ally. All these interactions underscored the importance of face-to-face engagement in deepening trust and collaboration.
Joining UKFIET aligns perfectly with our organisational “true north”: to learn, to connect, and to influence systemic change in education. As we look ahead to the UKFIET 2027 Conference, I hope to see Cambodian educators alongside us, sharing their experiences and insights with the global community. We have much to learn but also much to offer.
