The future of higher education worldwide was the subject of high-level debate and discussion at a highly successful summit of World University Presidents in Bangkok between 19-22, July 2006. Organised by the…
The future of higher education worldwide was the subject of high-level debate and discussion at a highly successful summit of World University Presidents in Bangkok between 19-22, July 2006. Organised by the Royal Thai Government’s Commission on Higher Education, the conference was attended by 1,582 delegates, including 613 from 87 countries as diverse as Angola and Azerbaijan, plus 12 education ministers.
The keynote speakers were Rt. Hon. Christopher Patten, Chancellor of Oxford University and former Governor of Hong Kong, and Edward de Bono, acclaimed as one the world’s leading authorities in the field of creative thinking.
Panel discussions and workshop sessions were held on various topics reflecting the forces of change affecting global education, such as, Cross-border Education, 21st Century Learning Needs, Cultural Awareness and Sport, and Peace and Social Stability.
According to Professor Dr. Pavich Tongroach, Secretary-General of the Commission on Higher Education and the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, “The summit theme of ‘Reflections on Diversity and Harmonization’ reflected the increasingly diverse but intrinsically interconnected world of higher education across nations. It is vital in an age of increased student mobility and education provision across borders that we seek collaborative solutions for the issues of our time to ensure that our future generation of leaders, innovators and knowledge workers are fully equipped for the challenges ahead.”
As the conference was held in the year commemorating the 60th Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne, it also afforded an opportunity for discussion of His Majesty’s concept of a self-sufficiency economy in the field of education.
Following a keynote presentation on the subject by Dr Chirayu Issarangkun na Ayuthaya, Chairman of the National Institute of Development Administration as well as of the Sufficiency Economy Movement Sub-Commission, the concept was prominently featured in a number of the panel discussions as an idea well-worth exploring further.
Professor Dr. Pavich said, “The Summit was a unique opportunity for leaders in the world of higher education to come together to share views, experiences, innovations and collaborative ideas. The summit theme aptly reflected the current need for educators worldwide to explore and discuss the role that education can play, not just in economic development, but also for cultural and educational exchange and development,” he said.
The convention also provided an opportunity for Thailand’s educational institutions to get global exposure.
The travel and tourism industry was well represented in an exhibition organised alongside the convention, with a number of Thai colleges, institutes and universities displaying their many travel and tourism courses.
The Suan Dusit Rajabhat University is now offering courses in fruit and vegetable carving as part of its home economics course. It had a colourful exhibit featuring a number of students demonstrating the art.
The Mae Fah Luang University offers a degree in Applied Thai Medicine and Chandrakasem Rajabhat University has a Bachelor’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. A representative of Kasetsart University, once known largely for agricultural expertise, said among its most popular international programmes are for aerospace engineers.
The convention will also generate spin-off business for Thailand. Already in the pipeline are the Universiade conference between 9-12 August, 2007, and the World Universities Debating Championship between 25 December, 2007 to 5 January, 2008, the first time it will be held in Thailand.
Many foreign delegates visiting Thailand for the first time took the opportunity to extend their stay and sample the many optional tours to various parts of the Kingdom.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
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