The Asia-Pacific region comprises of multi-national, multi-cultural and multi-lingual developing countries. Every country has a unique schooling system. It takes care the needs of heterogenous group of children. The schools run by governments in urban and rural areas differ in many respects from the private. The English-medium schools are private and have children from rich families. Thus, contemporary school systems, different standards and patterns based on several indicators. These include teaching learning methods, physical infrastructure, and administrative policies.

Children in such schools need guidance to acquire the required abilities and life skills. Here the role of the teachers is important to keep the children motivated. The role of Professional School Psychologists is also of great significance to ensure the mental well-being of all children.

The APSPA continuous to serves the region to promote safe and friendly schooling with mental well-being initiatives. The first APSPA annual conference was held in Sri Lanka in 2020 at the National Institute of Education, Colombo. The second conference was held in Malaysia, virtually in 2021. The 3^rd APSPA Conference was held in Thailand virtually by the Assumption University of Thailand in 2022. The fourth conference was held in India in March 2023, and the fifth was held in Mauritius in September 2023. This year, it has once again been organised at the Assumption University of Thailand in November 28^th – 30^th, 2024.

The outcome of this conference on multidisciplinary approaches is expected to transform teaching learning experiences for children in schools, keep them motivated with confidence and positive mental health of all children in Asia Pacific region. 

I thank the conference team under the leadership of Dr. Parvathy Varma for their professional conduct of the conference. I wish the conference brings out much needed positivity, joy and satisfaction to every child and every school in this region.

All the best

Prof. Panch. Ramalingam
Professor-cum Director
UGC – Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre
International President
Asia Pacific School Psychology Association
Malaysia