CMU
International Relations Newsletter
Volume
02
August 2017
CMU Hosting the World Largest Conference on Asian Studies: ICAS 10 The 13th International Conference on Thai Studies : Globalized Thailand? Connectivity, Conflict, and Conundrums of Thai Studies CMU’s Faculty of Dentistry hosted its first ASEAN Dental Student Congress International Relations Division Building CMU’s Global Visibility
CMU IRD Newsletter
CMU Hosting the World Largest Conference on Asian Studies:
ICAS 10
Sitthiporn Ritthisorakrai International Relations Division, CMU
The 10th International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS 10) was held at the Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre (CMECC) in Chiang Mai, Thailand during July 20-23, 2017. It was organized by the Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RCSD), with support from the Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University (CMU), and the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS). The International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS) is the largest international gathering in the field of Asian Studies. ICAS attracts participants from over 60 countries to engage in global dialogues on Asia that transcend boundaries between academic disciplines and geographic areas. The ICAS Secretariat is hosted by the International Institute for Asian Studies in the Netherlands and since 1997, ICAS has brought more than 20,000 academics together at nine conventions. 2
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About 2,000 experts in the field of Asian Studies and civil representatives met in the delightful Northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, famous for its rich cultural heritage. Events included: panels and roundtable discussions, keynote speeches, craft exhibitions, a film and documentary festival and an Asian Studies book fair, which provided the participants with a multitude of academic networking opportunities, possibilities to share research and meetings with academic publishers. CMU’s Dr.Chayan Vaddhanaphuti, RCSD's Director on behalf of the local organising committee, said that as the 10th edition of ICAS took place in Asia and Chiang Mai City was chosen to be the conference’s venue, it could be seen as an example of two civilisations meeting while being overlaid with modernisation. The 10th ICAS conference brought fresh knowledge and perspectives to the city’s relations with the rest of Asia, through exchanges between a wide range of international academic, social and cultural actors on a vast range of subjects including urban development,
social and economic transformation, migration and China’s foreign objectives. Prof. Ong added that, connectivity, history and cultural heritage. although OBOR has been presented as an avowedly “The 10th ICAS was greatly beneficial and intellectually non-political “win-win” policy initiative to improve challenging for Asian scholars to discuss and exchange economic and security conditions, she explored the ideas on how we can better understand the changes material power of infrastructure to reconstitute the that are happening in this region today. The conference politics in Southeast Asia. was envisaged as an opportunity for participants to CMU’s Associate Professor Rome Chiranukrom, Vice question the old paradigms and to search for new ones President for International Relations and Alumni Affairs that can help us to analytically investigate the emerging said that the key success of ICAS 10 was not only the economic, political and social order, as well as to realize vibrant academic deliberations and intellectual exchanges the need for a new methodology to help us in better but also the local participation including academic and dealing with the problems of environment degradation, educational institutes, local government organizations, migration, authoritarianism, ethnic conflict, inequality, and civil groups. It was also a great opportunity for commoditization of culture, and so forth.” Dr.Chayan international scholars to have a better understanding of explained regarding the significant outcomes from ICAS Chiang Mai City by perceiving its urbanization, 10. environment, art and culture and its way of life. Apart from more than 300 fruitful academic panel Furthermore, as Chiang Mai is a city of cultural heritage sessions throughout the 4-day conference, the highlights, and is rich in nature, the conference was designed to at the opening ceremony, was the keynote speech be a “Green Conference”, by the minimising the need delivered by Dr.Surin Pitsuwan, former Secretary– for printing out papers and documents and utilising General of ASEAN and also the keynote presentation biodegradable materials. on “The Chinese Silk Road: Re-Territorializing Politics ICAS 10 has proven to be a successful international in Southeast Asia” by Prof. Aihwa Ong, University of conference in convening an open space in which asian California Berkeley, USA. In her presentation, Prof. Ong scholars and cultural and social actors from around the stated that China’s “One Belt, One road (OBOR)” world could directly interact. The next conference, ICAS intended to encompass 65 countries, the imagery of a 11, will return to Europe, to where it began; in Leiden, maritime Silk Road signaled that Southeast Asia is the a historical city in the Netherlands. most immediate and critical region for materializing
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The 13 International Conference on Thai Studies :
Globalized Globalized Thailand? Thailand? Connectivity, Connectivity, Conflict, Conflict, and and Conundrums Conundrums of of Thai Thai Studies Studies
Norasedh Boonchoo International Relations Division, CMU
New Delhi, India, where eight sessions on various themes in Thai studies were held.
On Saturday July 15, 2017, the 13th International Conference on Thai Studies was hosted by Chiang Mai University, 21 years after CMU’s first hosted the 6th conference in 1996. This year, the conference was appreciatively more diverse and was said to have been the largest conference ever held on Thai Studies. The 4-day conference (July 15 – 18, 2017) was held at the International Convention and Exhibition Center Honorary 7th Cycle of King Bhumibhol Adulayadej’s Birthday Anniversary, Chiang Mai and was an academic stage for more than 900 scholars both domestic and from around the world, to present their research publications related to Thai Studies, to promote the academic community and to foster a network of scholars in Thai studies. The conference was opened by Professor Emeritus Avudh Srisukri, Vice Chairman of University Council and Acting President of Chiang Mai University and Dr. Chayan Vaddhanaphuti, Director of the Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RSCD). It had 598 papers, combined under 20 themes, discussed in 174 panels, and had certainly grown in size since the first conference was held in 1981 in
Chayan in his opening speech as he welcomed hundreds of guests in the auditorium. The diverse themes this year included “Thailand and its Connectivity in ASEAN”, “Thai Economy and the Global Market”, “Gender, Sexuality, and Social Equity”, “Urbanization, Spatial Politics, and Public Space”, “Migrants, Stateless People and Refugees”, and “Health and Health Care Systems”. At the opening ceremony, Katherine A Bowie, professor of anthropology at University of Wisconsin-Madison, spoke on “Khruba Srivichai: From Sacred Biography to National Historiography”. The session portrayed the role of Khruba Srivichai (1878-1938) in Thailand’s history as more than just a monk, and has remained a respected figure as people still pay homage to his statue, widely placed in hundreds of temples around the Northern provinces. After the keynote speech 10
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“As Thailand is more engaged with globalization and with ASEAN community, we should encourage our Thai scholars to examine the way Thailand is globally and regionally connected. What are conflicts, tensions or cooperation and collusion arising out of this connectivity? This is why we have chosen 'Globalized Thailand?' as the title of the conference,” said Dr.
parallel sessions were opened with the “Critical Conversations with Ajarn Ben” session heavily attended. Hosted by Thak Chaloemtiarana from Cornell University, the session was led by filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Coeli Barry from Mahidol University, Craig Reynolds from Australian National University, independent researcher Pakavadi Verapaspong and James Ockey from University of Canterbury. Equally exciting was the “State of Knowledge on Gender and Sexual Diversity in Thailand” where many questions were thrown on stage, causing the session to end later than scheduled. Of all the sessions during the 4-day conference, “Environmental Issue” was the perhaps most interesting. With a changing world environment, many scholars have conducted research to find approaches to solve this problem. Numerous scholarly research projects and publications were presented via posters presentations, films, discussions, lectures and oral presentations, that reflected on the Thai people’s lives and how they are affected by environmental changes that include climate change and the reduction of natural resources. The 13th International Conference on Thai studies: Globalized Thailand? Connectivity, Conflict and Conundrums of Thai studies was considered a huge success not only from an academic point of view but also for Chiang Mai University, in demonstrating its leadership by hosting such a large and professional international conference. CMU IRD Newsletter
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CMU’s CMU’s Faculty Faculty of of Dentistry Dentistry hosted hosted its its first first
ASEAN ASEAN Dental Dental Student Student Congress Congress Pattaramon Hanpongkittikun Prathanporn Yantarasri 6th Year Students, Faculty of Dentistry, CMU
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN was established 50 years ago and on this year’s 50th Anniversary, it was an honor for CMU’s Faculty of Dentistry, to host for the very first time, the “CMU ASEAN Dental Student Congress”, from July 28-30 2017, with participants from ASEAN countries, South Korea and China. The congress was arranged in a casual style, so it presented a relaxing and energetic atmosphere. Although the language barrier was anticipated to be the most challenging aspect of the congress, it took the students only a little courage to speak up and communicate clearly, inspired by their realization that what they had most in common was that they were all dental students. During the first evening, a Thai northern-style welcome party called “Khantoke” was organized, with each group of students receiving a “Toke,” which is a wooden set of food dishes, and they were able to enjoy the Northern-style food together. While having the “Khantoke Dinner,” every country presented a performance representing their culture and traditions 6
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which were quite impressive, with some students performing their traditional dance, some sang a beautiful song, whilst others performed a role play, all of which encouraged everyone get to know each other better. During the congress a group discussion was held on the dental profession, in which each group was assigned a different topic and then had to share and debate their points of view within the group. Every group then summarized the information discussed and shared what they had with the other groups. A “Dental Academic Competition” game was held to assess students’ dental skills, such as bending orthodontic wire, Q&A about oral pathology and diagnosis, etc. Furthermore, there were lectures given by dental professors from Chiang Mai University on forensic dentistry, esthetic dental implants and information on student volunteering. The professors also shared their real life working experiences and the knowledge they gained, which was inspirational for the participants. The CMU ASEAN Dental Student Congress not only gave the students a good opportunity to share their knowledge, cultures, experiences and inspirations, but also to make new friends. Despite the fact that the congress is already over, the friendships and memories shall remain.
International International Relations Relations Division Division Building Building
CMU’s Global Visibility
Chiang Mai University’s 12th Education Development Plan targets the promotion of the university’s internationalization, and in response to this the International Relations Division (IRD) has set its vision to be the main administrative office for driving the university’s internationalization strategy. One of IRD’s strategic action plans is to build closer and stronger ties between CMU’s Faculties and higher educational institutes worldwide. Thus it was with great pleasure for IRD in August this year to welcome Ms. Alexandra Zachariadi, from University of Crete, Greece and Ms. Natsuki Miyoshi,
from Kagawa University, Japan, both of whom came for a 1-month study exchange; an opportunity made possible by the “Erasmus Mundus Grantee, LEADER Project” and the “CMU-KU Staff Exchange Program”. Both visitors were introduced to IRD’s roles and functions pertaining to its international relations affairs management, as well as having had visits to various CMU’s Faculties, including the Language Institute and International College of Digital Innovation (ICDI). In addition, CMU’s Faculty of Architecture has sent their new International Relations staff member, Ms. Rosalinda Allen, for a one week training with IRD. This training program not only benefits the faculty but also promotes within the university, IRD’s synergistic approach to internationalization.
I have learnt more about International Relations work and about Chiang Mai University. I hope that our university will have cooperation with CMU in the near future. I’m looking forward to welcoming you to the University of Crete.
This was a good chance for me to learn about International Relations work, it will be useful when I soon rotate to work in International Affairs in my university. I hope we will work closer together in the future.
Jarunee Kitdamrongtam International Relations Division, CMU
Ms.Alexandra Zachariadi, Operational Staff, University of Crete
Ms.Natsuki Miyoshi, Personnel Officer, Kagawa University
I'd spent three days training at the International Relations Division. It was such a valuable time for me since I'd had a chance to learn the working system of each subdivisions in the office as well as see the overall picture of my own responsibility as an international relations officer. The training prepared me to be an effective officer as I had an honor to learn all the important tips directly from the Ms. Rosalinda Allen, people who know the best. Intetrnational Relations Officer, Faculty of Architecture, CMU CMU IRD Newsletter
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Advisor Assoc. Prof. Rome Chiranukrom, Vice President for International Relations and Alumni Affairs Editor Ms.Woraluck Suteerawantana Director of International Relations Division Mr.Jean - Paul van Buul Editorial Team Ms.Jarunee Kitdamrongtam Mr.Norasedh Boonchoo Mr.Sitthiporn Ritthisorakrai Ms.Nathavadee Luong-onjai
International Relations Division, Office of the University, Chiang Mai University 239 Huay Kaew Road, Muang District, Chiang Mai 50200, THAILAND Tel: 66 5394 3661 to 8; Fax: 66 5394 2670 E-mail: irdcmu@gmail.com, irdcmu@cmu.ac.th website: http://inter.oop.cmu.ac.th CMU IRD Newsletter