CMU
International Relations Newsletter
Volume
04
October 2017
CMU and China’s “One Belt One Road Policy” Joint Degree Program with Southwest Medical University, China Internationalization Skills Workshops Introducing CMU’s Center for ASEAN Studies Myanmar Studies Conference
CMU and China’s
“One Belt One Road Policy”
Mr. Norasedh Boonchoo International Relations Division, CMU
On September 1st this year, Chiang Mai University together with Mae Fah Luang University and the Consulate of the People’s Republic of China to Chiang Mai, held an international conference, Belt and Road & Greater Mekong Sub-region Cooperation “Lancang Jiang – Mekong River : Rising Smart Corridor”. The conference aimed to disseminate China’s policy regarding its initiative “One Belt-One Road” (OBOR) policy, an initiative that promotes China’s economic expansion by improving its trade routes through utilization of the geographic advantages made available in ASEAN, while providing economic and social benefits to the region. The conference was organized by Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration and reflected CMU’s attentiveness to the challenges and opportunities within China’s OBOR policy. 2
One of the OBOR’s policy aims is to create a Maritime Silk Road by collaborating with various ASEAN countries, in order that their goods may be transported between China and an appropriate ASEAN sea port. To support its policy China has created the “Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank: AIIB”, which is an essential financial tool for driving this policy forward, where some 600,000 million U.S. dollars worth of regional infrastructure development is expected to be invested. With this increased investment in the region it is anticipated Thailand shall indirectly benefit through cross flows from the region’s growth. This growth is expected to enhance an already booming Thai education industry that is experiencing an increased growth due to the Chinese government’s policy to encourage Chinese students to study abroad, where Thailand is ranked as their first study choice.
It can be seen that the number of Chinese students enrolling in Thai universities has continually increased, and according to Thailand’s Office of the Higher Education Commission, more than 35% of the total number of international students in Thai higher education is currently Chinese. In CMU, Chinese students are currently the largest group from any country, equivalent to about 45% of full time international students and about 47% of part time international students. China is certainly wielding an increased influence in the region and it is for this reason that CMU is proactively supporting both the local and ASEAN communities to benefit from these new opportunities.
Joint Degree Program with Southwest Medical University, China
Associate Prof. Dr. Aatit Paungmali Associate Dean for Research and International Relations Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, CMU
During 28 October 2017 to 1 November 2017, CMU’s Assistant Professor Dr. Wasna Sirirungsi, Dean, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences (AMS), together with AMS senior administrators, visited the Southwest Medical University (SWMU) and their School of Pharmacy, to attend a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony and to discuss academic and research collaborations, in Luzhou, China. CMU’s delegation was warmly welcomed by Prof. Dr. Yan Zheng He, SWMU’s together with Prof. Dr. Chi-Hin Cho, Research and Emeritus Professor, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), who also attended the ceremony, as SWMU collaborates closely with CUHK while AMS
has worked closely with Prof. Dr. Chi-Hin Cho, thus providing an opportunity to deepen friendships and increase collaborative opportunities. The MOU signing ceremony between CMU’s Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, and the SWMU’s School of Pharmacy was held on 30 October and offers faculty, researchers and graduate students of both institutions an opportunity to collaborate in academics and research under the international joint program & double degree (Doctor of Philosophy Program in Biomedical Science, International Program).
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Internationalization Skills Workshops Ms. Jarunee Kitdamrongtam International Relations Division, CMU
As part of Chiang Mai University’s strategy to develop the staff and student’s global citizenship skills, CMU’s International Relations Division and International College of Digital Innovation, have initiated a training program to develop the International Relations officers’ international skills through a series of workshops. • “English Moderator and Presentation Workshop” This workshop was presented by Assistant Professor Phatcharakran Intanaga and aimed at expanding the trainees English Presentation skills. More than 70 staff members attended from 30 faculties and offices, and was highly praised by the trainees.
Public speaking is something that most of us are not comfortable with, but this workshop helped me to give better formal presentations. The workshop gave me plenty of tips and techniques, and the presentation session gave me a chance to practice and gain practical experience, along with receiving feedback on how to improve. Thank you for a great course. Mr. Abhibhu Kitikamdhorn Faculty of Mass Communication 4 CMU IRD Newsletter
• “Japanese Business Etiquette Workshop” International College of Digital Innovation hosted the “Japanese Business Etiquette Workshop” to provide trainees with an opportunity to learn and practice business etiquette customs including introduction and greetings, handling of business cards and time management, and was presented by a speaker from Human Resource Organization in Japan under support from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). 150 staff and students from various faculties attended the workshop which also encouraged the trainees to recognize the importance of social etiquette when relating to different cultures.
Many thanks for the additional tips and demonstrating various ways of interacting with the audience, I will definitely put some of the techniques I've learned into practice Ms. Onjira Maneekarn Faculty of Education
Introducing
CMU’s Center for ASEAN Studies Center for ASEAN Studies, CMU
Chiang Mai University has announced the formation of the Center for ASEAN Studies (CAS) which will be a center of ASEAN education and will further CMU’s international involvement. Under Dr. Nisit Panthamit’s leadership, the role and mission of CAS is to: 1. be the local academic center for all ASEAN discussions, matters, and knowledge 2. manage ASEAN information dissemination, as well as to create a forum for academic exchange and creative understanding between ASEAN member states 3.coordinate training skills to include languages, cultural awareness, and general knowledge of the ASEAN Community 4. facilitate various departments throughout CMU to carry out academic activities within ASEAN Operational Targets: 1. produce technical policies to establish and develop the ASEAN Community, disseminating this knowledge to students, faculty, and the general public. 2. stage academic seminars to exchange ideas and expand knowledge on various issues in an ASEAN context. 5
CMU IRD Newsletter
3. coordinate networking opportunities and provide information for agencies, both inside and outside the university, related to ASEAN. Since its formation CAS has been actively engaged with the ASEAN studies centers in other ASEAN universities, in order to create closer cooperation between CMU and institutions across the region. CAS has also been busy involving itself in various ASEAN platforms including the ASEAN-China think-tank network, the Symposium on China-ASEAN Financial Cooperation & Book Launch for “Financial Structure Characteristics of Ten ASEAN Countries” Beijing, China, the 1st Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Sub-Regional Forum at China-ASEAN Research Institute of Guangxi University Nanning, China, and the “Road toward East Asian Economic Community” Network of East Asian Think Tanks (NEAT) Annual Conference, Bangkok, Thailand. Located on CMU campus, CAS aims to serve and educate both the ASEAN member states as well as the international community. Its advantageous geographic location in Northern Thailand together with CMU’s academic reputation promises CAS to play an increasingly important role in the region.
Myanmar Studies Conference International Relations Division, CMU
“The 1st International Conference on Myanmar Studies: Myanmar in Transition Connectivity, Changes and Challenges�, was attended by more than 500 international scholars and was co-hosted by CMU together with University of Mandalay in 2015. It was seen to be a great academic success and was said to have been the largest conference on Myanmar Studies ever held in the ASEAN Region. Building on the success of this academic collaboration a delegation of CMU executives including Vice President Associate Professor Rome Chiranukrom, Vice President for International Relations and Alumni Affairs, Associate Professor Dr. Thapin Phatcharanuruk, Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences and Dr. Chayan Vaddhanaphuti, Director of the Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RCSD),
made an official visit to University of Mandalay, Myanmar, in April 2018 to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the universities, in order to further the successful academic relations, and have also agreed to co-host the international conference on Myanmar studies every 2 years. Thus the 2nd International Conference on Burma/ Myanmar Studies (ICBMS) will be held next year at University of Mandalay, during 16-18 February 2018. Interested academics, researchers, graduate students and professionals are invited to propose panel topics or submit research abstracts that are based on the theme of transformation in Myanmar. For more information, please contact 2nd ICBMS Secretariat, University of Mandalay at icbms2@mu.edu.mm or icbms.mu@gmail.com.
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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 Mr. Sitthiporn Ritthisorakrai Ms. Pimchanok Puttayot Ms. Nathavadee Luong-onjai Mrs. Ruthairat Kanchai Ms. Sabrina Concas
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