22 December 2021

Students discuss success factors in formulating global partnerships in Teen-Talk Project Series 6

By
AUN Writer Team

By Aira Mae Olivar, AUN Intern

Universities from the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) held the IMT-GT UNINET Mobility Program: Virtual Teen-Talk Project+ Series 6 with the theme “How Growth Mindset, Capacity-Building, Networking, and Mobility would formulate global partnerships across the region?”. The theme is heavily based on the 17th Sustainable Development Goal: Partnerships for the Goal, with the goal to form youth partnerships across the region.

The event was hosted by the Prince of Songkla University, Thailand, last December 15, 2021 (Wednesday) via Zoom.  The event was attended by more than a hundred college and university students from University of Sylah Kuala, Universitas Andalas, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Thaksin University, and Prince of Songkla University Thailand.
  
The event was formally started with an opening remark by Asst. Prof. Dr. Niwat Keawpradub, President of Prince of Songkla University in Thailand. Asst. Prof. Dr. Keawpradub showed his great support and congratulated the organizers of the event. He ended his speech with an invitation to visit the Prince of Songkla University once the situation is better. The event was then graced by keynote speakers from the ASEAN University Network (AUN) including the AUN Executive Director. Dr. Choltis Dhirathiti, AUN Chief Programme Officer and Global Engagement Ms. Supatcha Supapant, and AUN’s Programme Officer Mr. Buranond Kijwatanachai.

Dr. Choltis Dhirathiti emphasized in his short speech that there should be good strategic thinking, both in work and personal matters, as it is important for a person to know where they are going. Dr. Choltis also emphasized that the current era is an age of collaboration, hence, it is necessary to build alliances across regions. 

Afterwards, Ms. Supatcha Supapant began her speech by introducing what the AUN Secretariat does and some of their Youth Flagship Activities projects which lasted for more than 15 years. To further discuss what was said by Ms. Supatcha, Mr. Buranond stated that the project was sustained because there is a real value for the participants and the contributors, an opportunity for real change, and a way to enhance the interpersonal skills of youth leaders. The adaptability and flexibility of every youth activity organized by the AUN Secretariat is also taken into consideration in planning for the next steps of the project—expansion. Ms. Supatcha ended the speech by saying that the AUN Secretariat is looking for activities which have greater inclusivity for participants in order to establish more connections and have more fruitful opportunities. 

The second part of the program consisted of presentations from groups with members coming from different universities. The first presenter, Group A discussed “Growth Mindset formulating global partnerships across the region” and they were mentored by Dr. Daraneekorn Supanti. The group ended their presentation by defining how a growth mindset enables the youth to show how innovation becomes a new solution to solve a problem. They also stated that a growth mindset is necessary to collaborate between countries for increased economic well-being. 

The next presenter is Group B who talked about Capacity-building which is mentored by Ms. Kanchanat Chongphakdi. The presenters discussed the causes of the COVID-19 pandemic specifically on the topic of increasing unemployment rates. Next, they discussed Role Model U2T with the purpose of enhancing the economy and society in each country, creating, and developing the livelihood of the people, and lastly, supporting local material and resources. This was followed by a short break.

Continuing, the third presenter Group C talked about Networking and was mentored by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ram Yamsaengsung. The presenters talked on the importance of networking quality which would espouse more opportunities, new experiences, negotiation skills, and increased mobility for the enhancement of SDGs to developing countries and effective partnership.

The last presenters, Group D, who was mentored by Mr. Arno Immelman presented about Virtual Mobility. The presenters stated that collaborations are essential to solve problems that are faced in a country. It was also stated that the benefit of virtual mobility is that it is more accessible than physical mobility, and lastly, virtual mobility made it easier for governments and companies to do partnerships.

After a short break which showcased contemporary Thai dance, it was immediately followed by a question-and-answer portion by the audience and the presenters respectively. After a rigorous Q&A session and audience voting, the Best Presentation – Best Group Awards is given to Group A with USK’s Miss Intan Qanita, UniMAP’s Miss Siti Nisrina Imtinan Tanjung, TSU’s Miss Firadao Phakdi, UNAND’s Mr. Muhammad Andika Azmi, UUM’s Miss Sathurteeyah A/P Assai Thamby, and PSU’s Miss Piyawan Aryapitak. The closing remarks of the program were done by Asst. Prof. Dr. Thakerng Wongsirichot, PSU’s Vice President for International Affairs.