The delegation, comprising Dr. Worrawit Nakpan, Director of International Office, and Ms. Rattip Phukkeson, Head of International Development, visited the Huaxin Campus(Sichuan Huaxin Modern Vocational College). They toured practical training bases for healthcare and embroidery.
At the following symposium, vice Dean Weng Yan delivered a welcome address and introduced Sichuan Huaxin Modern Vocational College. STOU delegates shared insights on Thailand's industry-education integration, work-study models, and student competency development, while SCOU representatives presented on digital teaching resources and AI-assisted instruction.
The day featured two lectures on the main campus. Prior to the lectures, President Luo Xiaodong emphasized the strategic importance of internationalization in his opening remarks, outlining SCOU's future plans for developing Chinese language and culture training programs for international learners, as well as establishing faculty and student exchange mechanisms. He encouraged all staff to actively engage in international education initiatives.
In the morning, Dr. Worrawit Nakpan delivered a lecture on "Teaching and Learning of STOU and Its Internationalization Development." He detailed STOU's evolution from traditional print-based materials to the D4L+ digital platform and metaverse, and its shift from a national leader to a global player, while also addressing challenges such as the digital divide and academic integrity.
In the afternoon, Ms. Rattip Phukkeson presented on "Best Practices in Open University International Office," focusing on student recruitment, cross-cultural engagement, and institutional branding. She discussed practical challenges like budget constraints and language barriers, and proposed strategies such as language training, data-driven decision-making, and cross-departmental collaboration.
The final day centered on lifelong and community education. The delegation visited Leling College(Elderly Education) classrooms and viewed a calligraphy exhibition hosted by the School of Humanities and Law.
A discussion session at the East No. 1 Conference Room followed, where both sides exchanged views on elderly education models.
In the afternoon, the delegation attended a performance showcase from elderly students at the Academic Lecture Hall, highlighting the vibrant campus culture of SCOU. The day ended with a dinner featuring traditional zongzi and other local specialties.
Outcomes and Prospects
This three-day exchange offered a valuable platform for sharing best practices in teaching, internationalization, and community engagement, further strengthening ties between SCOU and STOU and laying a solid foundation for future collaboration in open and lifelong education.