To carry on with the intention to deepen academic collaboration between Thailand and Myanmar, the second part of the 2nd Myanmar-Thailand Higher Education Institutions Leadership and Networking Programme was held from 17 - 23 February 2019 at Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon, and Mawlamyine University.
The programme was initiated as a pilot project in accordance with the International Academic Cooperation Strategy with the Neighboring Countries of the Office of Higher Education Commission, the Ministry of Education of Thailand. The main purpose of the programme was to enhance and deepen higher education networks between Myanmar and Thailand for collaborative projects. Moreover, this programme emphasised developing the administration of higher education in areas of international affairs and research through the exchange of good practices.
This programme was divided into two parts; a 5-day session in Thailand from 12-18 November 2018 was followed by another 5 days in Myanmar. This leadership workshop was attended by 22 executives from both Thailand’s and Myanmar’s higher education institutions including 10 executives from Myanmar universities: Kyaing Tong University, Mawlamyine University, Myeik University, Sittway University, Taunggyi University, University of Mandalay, University of Yangon, 9 executives from Thai universities: Chiang Mai University, Chiang Rai Rajabhat University, Kanchanaburi Rajabhat University, Mae Fah Luang University, Naresuan University, North-Chiang Mai University, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna and 3 observers from Pathein University, West Yangon University and the Department of Higher Education, Myanmar.
The training programme provided a series of lectures and workshops by many experienced experts including Higher Education Reform by Director General of the Department of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Dr. Aye Myint; Myanmar-Thailand Relations by Minister at the Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon, Mr. Narong Boonsatheanwong; Good Governance by Vice President for Quality Assurance of King Mongkut’s University of Technology, Dr. Nandh Thavarungkul; Leadership Skills and the Internationalization by former Fulbright Thailand Executive Director, Ms. Porntip Kanjananiyot; and Vice President of Mae Fah Luang University, Assist. Prof. Dr. Romyen Kosaikanont.
The programme also provided a visit to University of Yangon and a case study for participants to share their experiences, exchange ideas as well as discuss challenges and opportunities of education reform.
On the whole, this programme has been successfully completed and has achieved fruitful outcomes in advancing participants’ knowledge and skills in leadership for the 21st century, internationalization, management systems that are suitable for their own institutional and global Additionally, academic collaboration between Myanmar and Thai higher education institutions especially in joint research has been planned for meeting the needs of people in both countries.
