Towards ASEAN 4.0: ASEAN Digital Innovation Program

Youth, who account for more than 33% of ASEAN’s population, undoubtedly play a key role in bringing the region closer to its aspirations as outlined in the ASEAN Community blueprints. However, 24% of ASEAN youths are not in education, employment or training. ASEAN Digital Innovation is an initiative by Microsoft and ASEAN foundation that bring up a blended-learning model for young people in 8 countries to upgrade their digital skills including coding, data science, artificial intelligence to be ready for the Future of Work in ASEAN.

8th International Skills Forum: Future of Skills and Jobs in the Age of Digital Disruptions

In this age of disruption and automation, how do we remain responsive and relevant in the world of work?

Developments in artificial intelligence and robotics are seen as major threats to jobs that require routine tasks. There are also growing concerns about rising inequalities and how technology is contributing to wider economic gap. On the positive side, technology provides opportunities to enhance human capacity and productivity.

The Impact of a One Laptop per Child Program on Learning: Evidence from Uruguay

Many countries in recent years have made substantial investments in the One Laptop per Child programs, while others are about to start implementation. These programs, with Plan Ceibal in Uruguay as an example, aim to promote digital inclusion among students, and improve educational quality by bringing technology into the classroom.

Nino Edilashvili

Nino Edilashvili is an Associate Education Officer at the Asian Development Bank, where she supports education sector operations with a focus on skills development and policy reform. She coordinates the Modern Skills for Better Jobs TVET project in Georgia, working closely with government counterparts on institutional restructuring, sustainability planning, and implementation oversight.

Marco Gemmer

Marco Gemmer serves as Head of the Cooperation Section at the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines. In this capacity, he oversees the planning, implementation, and monitoring of EU-funded development programs and projects in the Philippines, focusing on areas such as governance, sustainable development, human capital, and economic cooperation.

Saje Miguel Molato

Saje works at the nexus of skills, systems, and partnerships, advancing Industry 4.0, the Future of Work, and the SDGs. As CEO and Founder of Siklab, an internationally recognized development consulting organization in Asia, he leads high-level partnerships for impact. Recognized by the UN, ASEAN, and USAID, he often shares his journey as a young founder, inspiring others to pursue purpose-driven change. 

Haftom Gebregziabher Hagos

Haftom Gebregziabher Hagos has worked in the education sector for the past 18 years, building extensive experience in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) systems. He currently serves as Deputy Director General of the Federal TVET Institute, a subsidiary institute under the Ministry of Labor and Skills. In this role, he supports the strategic development and implementation of national TVET policies and programs aimed at strengthening workforce skills and employability.

Yuko Mitsui

Yuko Mitsui serves as Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), one of Japan’s principal agencies for delivering official development assistance. In this role, she has provided strategic leadership across JICA’s global portfolio, overseeing programs that support sustainable development, infrastructure, climate resilience, and human capital development in partner countries, particularly across Asia and the Pacific.