UEH-CELG and KKU-COLA Exchange Program: Exploring Sustainable Development in Thailand

A delegation of 15 members from the College of Economics, Law and Government (UEH-CELG) visited the College of Local Administration, Khon Kaen University (COLA-KKU), Thailand in 2023. This visit was part of the lecturer and student exchange program between the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh city (UEH) and Khon Kaen University (KKU), as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the two institutions. The theme of the program was "Roadmap Towards Sustainable Development."

The initiative aimed to promote global citizenship awareness and appreciation among undergraduate students from UEH-CELG and KKU-COLA. It also aimed to encourage academic collaboration and mutual relationships between the students and motivate active civic engagement within the policy-making process.

The opening ceremony was held in Udon Hall of Khon Kaen University, with 17 faculty members, specialists, and 40 students from both institutions in attendance. During the program, students discussed energetic topics, including an overview of Thailand's political, administrative, and socio-economic system, actions for environmental sustainability, urban development, and e-government.

Opening Ceremony

The exchange program included activities aimed at exploring sustainable development in Thailand. For example, the students visited the fishing and seafood processing facilities in Nong Ruea District, Khon Kaen Province, where they learned about how the local government supports small enterprises in developing their brands, expanding markets, and managing the quality of their output. They also discussed the current income status of local households engaged in the seafood industry. Additionally, the students visited Ubol Ratana Dam. This freshwater reservoir serves irrigation purposes and domestic use while also helping to mitigate floods in neighboring areas situated at lower geographical elevations.

Visiting fishing and seafood processing facilities in Nong Ruea District

Another activity involved visiting the "Hin Chang Si," a tourist attraction in the Nam Phong National Park, Ban Fang District, Khon Kaen Province. Here, students met with the forest management representatives of the National Park and were briefed on nature conservation combined with eco-tourism.

Visiting Nam Phong National Park

UEH and KKU students recently participated in team-building activities with more than 30 students from Burapha University (BUU) in Southern Thailand. They also visited the Khon Kaen National Museum and watched a traditional Thai court dance performance called the Khon Royal Performance. This experience helped them better understand the cultural traditions, historical evolution, and development of Khon Kaen and Thailand in general.

Khon Kaen National Museum

The program also included visits to the Mekin organic farm, where students learned about the business model that combined tourism with traditional products and explored the farm's operations, methods of attracting customers, and the application of IoT technology in farm management. The students also visited the Tai Dam ethnic village in the province of Loei in Northeastern Thailand, where they gained an understanding of the importance of preserving the cultural identity of ethnic groups while also integrating cultural tourism for economic purposes.

Tai Dam Ethnic Village

Finally, at the Mekong Institute, students attended a lecture on solutions for sustainable development through sub-regional cooperation in the Mekong presented by Mr. Suriyan, followed by a visit to the Consulate General of Vietnam in Khon Kaen. The exchange program was successful, with the students gaining valuable insights into sustainable development in Thailand, fostering cross-cultural relationships, and promoting global citizenship awareness.