The Office of the Higher Education Commission (OHEC), Thailand as a country partner of GSA Program together with seven Thai universities, namely Chiang Mai University, Prince of Songkla University, Suranaree University of Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Kasem Bundit University, and Siam University, started the Thailand Short Course entitled “Thai Community in Globalized Context” as a pilot program to broaden international education experiences of U.S. students.

The 30-day course (June 24-July 23, 2018) students will be travelling to the seven universities which are located in different parts of Thailand.  In each place, students are able to study and absorb cultural diversity or “Thainess” in Thai society through the program activities and workshop including the visit of tourist attractions that will be provided for all of them for example. Furthermore, students can learn about Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) and the Royal Projects of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX).

Objectives

1. To increase study abroad experiences for the U.S. students.
2. To promote Thai higher education, Thailand’s cultural diversity and local wisdom, and the concept of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Thai context through Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) and the Royal Projects.
3. To broaden network among U.S. and Thai students and strengthen institutional linkages in order to foster future academic cooperation.

Expected outcomes

1. US. students will have a better understanding about Thailand and Thai cultural diversity.
2. US. and Thai students will attain the knowledge of SEP and the Royal Projects as a tool to achieve SDGs.
3. US. and Thai students will be able to establish a network which will facilitate institutional linkages and strengthen future academic cooperation and partnership among the universities of both countries.

Type of course:

• Lecture: 1 credits/15 hours
• Practice: 2 credits/60 hours
• Self-study 4 hours

*Attending at least 80% to earn the certificate

After the program has been released, four Americans students and seven representative of Thai students from the university listed above were participated this course. For KMUTNB section, we offer “The Wealth of Thai Wellness” course to take you through the journey to rediscover the way to life a balanced, healthy life while explore the folk way of holistic wellness at our Prachinburi Campus (PCB). Just 3 hours away from Bangkok, the campus situates among the one of the lushest tropical forests of Thailand. We took them to Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital, which is respected as leading hospital specialized in traditional medicine and wellness research to learn about herbs and also the way they use herbs as an ingredient in cooking. Not only about herbs, The Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital now had a team of fully trained Thai massage practitioners too. Moreover, students were had a chance to visit Kaeo Phichit Temple, an old on the right coast of Bang Pakong River in Prachinburi and also visit Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam.