From left: Dr. Jianwen Qu
and Dr. Lu Xing of YU, China, Prof. Vilas Wuwongse,
Vice President for External Relations Ms. Liang Chen (YU-China)
and
AIT gender specialist, Dr. Kyoko Kusakabe.
In early June 2009, AIT and Yunnan University officials explored
possible partnerships to push forward scholarly development
studies concerning the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). Both learning
institutes have current programs on GMS issues, with AIT
establishing a certificate to master’s degree in GMS Development
Studies and Yunnan University (YU) offering a master’s degree in
GMS studies.
Discussions for increased partnership took place when a
delegation from Yunnan University visited AIT on June 9, 2009. The
Chinese delegation was comprised of Dr. Jianwen Qu, Vice Dean;
Dr. Lu Xing, Director; and Ms. Liang Chen, a lecturer from the School
of International Relations, Yunnan University, China. The
officials were welcomed to AIT by Prof. Vilas Wuwongse, Vice
President for External Relations; Professor Peter Haddawy, Vice
President for Academic Affairs; Professor Sivanappan Kumar, Dean of
School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD); Dr. Kyoko
Kusakabe, Associate Dean, SERD; Dr. Weerakorn Ongsakul, Secretary
General, the Greater Mekong Sub-region Academic and Research Network
(GMSARN) and Mr. Tenzin Rabgyal, Program Officer, External Relations
and Communication Office (ERCO).
Possibilities for a dual degree program in GMS Development
Studies, student exchanges and faculty training immersions for deeper
understanding on issues within the GMS region, were discussed.
Modalities of the academic program include the likelihood of students
conducting their studies at different universities within the
scope of GMSARN.
The officials said the program's dynamism could be enhanced
by utilizing GMSARN. Concrete proposals will be prepared in time
for the GMSARN Annual Board Meeting this year. A proposed international
conference in Vietnam in November 2009 on GMS Development Studies is
also another promising joint activity.
“This program should not compete with other institutes who are
currently running similar kinds of programs but should provide a forum
to better compliment and strengthen GMS Development Studies for the
sustainable development of the region,” said Dr. Kyoko, Associate Dean,
SERD.
Professor Peter Haddawy, also invited Yunnan University to apply for
membership in ProSPER.Net, an Asia-Pacific university
network which he chairs. He said more funding opportunities
to support GMS studies development could also be explored within
this academic network.