On 1 July 2023, Asst. Prof. Dr.Matchima Naradisorn, President of Mae Fah Luang University and Ms. Thanyarat Inthorn, Deputy Secretary-General of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand (EECO) Policy Committee presided over the opening ceremony of the Academic Presentation of ‘Advancing English and Chinese Language Skills for Smart Teachers and Developing Students into Smart Local Leaders Project and presented certificates to participating schools and participants at Amari Pattaya Hotel, Chonburi.
There were 22 English language teachers and 16 Chinese language teachers joining this project. In the pitching presentation, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sorabud Rungrojsuwan, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts was a committee of English language department while Dr. Therrapab Preedepoj, Dean of the School of Sinology was a committee of Chinese language department. Moreover, Prof. Dr.Sujittra Wongkasemjit, Vice President of Mae Fah Luang University presented the certificates to the winners of pitching presentation of both English and Chinese language department.
The Advancing English and Chinese Language Skills for Smart Teachers and Developing Students into Smart Local Leaders Project funded by the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Special Development Zone had an objective to strengthen the English and Chinese language proficiency of teachers and students in the EEC area in order to groom them to be Smart Teachers and Smart Local Leaders.
Asst. Prof. Dr.Matchima Naradisorn, President of Mae Fah Luang University said that Mae Fah Luang University has adhered to the philosophy of Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra to “restore the forest and develop the people” and strived to "develop people; cultivate knowledge; instill quality; uphold virtues; and conserve the environment". The university determines to produce quality graduates who will be the significant manpower sustainably driving Thailand forward under the global disruption. Asst. Prof. Dr.Matchima Naradisorn added that the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project has not only promoted investments in targeted industries but also improved education for people in the areas in accordance with the third development plan (Human Resource Development, Education, Research, and Technology Action Plan).
MFU President also stated that Mae Fah Luang University has acquired the experience and expertise in skill development for teachers in Chiang Rai province since 2006. The university has significantly helped advance the quality of education of Chiang Rai through the integrated curriculum and activities for enhancing the teaching skill, developing modern and instructional media, improving English and Chinese content, training digital and technological skills, and establishing a knowledge-sharing provincial network.
Furthermore, Ms. Thanyarat Inthorn, Deputy Secretary-General of EECO Policy Committee revealed that The EEC project is an area-based development initiative, focused on the three Eastern provinces, namely Rayong, Chonburi, and Chachoengsao. Infrastructure and utility systems are constructed to enhance the potential of the EEC. The EEC’s Infrastructure Development Plan comprises of a high-speed rail linking three airports (Don Mueang Airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport, and U-Tapao Airport); U-Tapao International Airport; Map Ta Phut Industrial Port Phase 3; and Laem Chabang Port Phase 3 which is set to commence operations by 2027. The development of foreign language skills especially English and Chinese language for employees is very crucial as the EEC is the destination of Chinese investment and tourists from around the world.
Additionally, Ms. Thanyarat Inthorn expressed her appreciation to Mae Fah Laung University for supporting EEC in advancing English and Chinese Language skills for teachers with an aim to extend the project’s impact to students who will be the driving force for the area development in the future.
Altogether, this project dedicates MFU’s determination on cultivating a new generation of Smart Teachers who will contribute to the teaching and curriculum development and make a major impact to other schools and teachers within the EEC region.
