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<p><font color="#33711E"><strong>Day 3 - Session 6A: Participatory Development with Sufficiency Economy: Philosophy in Practice</strong></font></p>

Queen's Park 1, 13:30 - 15:00

Apichai Puntasen, Ubonrajchathanee University, Thailand
Uthai Dulyakasem, Walailuk University, Thailand
Songsak Sriboonchitta Chiangmai University, Thailand

This panel will provide examples of how three regional universities in Thailand: Chiang Mai University (CMU) in the North, Ubon Rajathanee University (URU) in the Lower Northeast, and Walailak University in the South, have adopted King Bhumipol Adulyadej's Sufficiency Economy philosophy in their regular academic activities. Apart from aiming at academic excellence, these universities are also aiming to foster regional development that reflects the local geo-sociological characteristics. As Sufficiency Economy philosophy aims to achieve sustainable development with peace and tranquillity, each regional university seeks to implement the philosophy using their capacity and expertise and based on existing local conditions. For example, CMU has set up a research institute that focuses on the work related to Sufficiency Economy. It has also started a PhD programme based on Sufficiency Economy philosophy. URU has started accumulating knowledge related to the Sufficiency Economy philosophy and begun training staff members to become familiar with the concept. URU has a graduate programme that emphasizes topics related to development that apply the Sufficiency Economy philosophy. Last year, it initiated a B.A. programme in Management with special emphasis on Sufficiency Economy. This programme aims to study how members of a community can live their lives according to the Sufficiency Economy philosophy. Walailak University has many participatory development programmes in co-operation with communities near the campus and in the surrounding region. The University has embraced Sufficiency Economy philosophy and seeks to integrate this philosophy into its participatory development programmes. With their forward-thinking approaches, it is anticipated that these universities will set an example for other higher education institutions in the country.

 

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