UP has partnered with the UNESCO Institute of Lifelong Learning (UIL) and Cittaslow to advance the growth of Learning Cities worldwide.

           Associate Professor Dr. Supakorn Pongbangpho, President of the University of Phayao, assigned Associate Professor Dr. Phanintra Teeranon, Assistant to the President of the University of Phayao, to accompany Mr. Pichet Poepakdee, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, as Thailand’s representative in the “Capacity Building Workshop.” This workshop, organized by the UNESCO Institute of Lifelong Learning (UIL) and Shanghai Open University (SOU), will be held at Shanghai Open University from October 21st – 25th, 2024.

          The workshop will consist of both online and on-site sessions. The online training will be divided into two phases: September 18th to October 18th, 2024 and November 1st to 22nd, 2024. The on-site training will be held from October 21st to 25th, 2024 and will involve participants from 12 countries, such as Mongolia, China, South Africa, Laos, and Namibia. The goal of the workshop is to cultivate potential and encourage international lifelong learning initiatives.

          During the workshop, Associate Professor Dr. Phanintra Teeranon, Assistant to the President of the University of Phayao, presented on Thailand’s progress in developing learning cities, with support from the Program Management Unit on Area Based Development. This included the “Learning City Manager Program,” which was developed by the Innovation Learning Institute in collaboration with the Innovation and Technology Transfer Institute at the University of Phayao, with support from the Equitable Education Fund. The program was presented to UIL, UNESCO East Asia, and UNESCO South Asia, with the goal of fostering future collaborative international curriculum development. Additionally, there were discussions on lifelong learning development in Phayao Province, in partnership with the Phayao Provincial Administrative Organization. Miss Yapha Witnalakorn, Secretary to the Chief Executive of the Phayao Provincial Administrative Organization, also participated in the workshop.

          Mr. Pichet Poepakdee, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Ms. Thanthida Wongsong, Director of the Innovation Development Office for Learning Opportunities under the Education Equality Fund, and Ms. Miss Panramon Suthirit Miller, Strategy and Planning Group of the Department of Learning Encouragement, presented issues on youth dropout of the system and policy challenges for lifelong learning in Thailand. This workshop is supported by UIL and SOU.         

On October 23rd – 25th, 2024, Dr. Darinthorn Inthapthim, a Lecturer in the English Department at the School of Liberal Arts, University of Phayao, and Ms. Nannapat Sampaongernth from the City Management Unit at the Innovation and Technology Transfer Institute, participated in a knowledge exchange on managing learning cities and developing local products with the Cittaslow Taiwan network in Chishang, Taitung, Taiwan. This exchange was part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University of Phayao and Nanhua University in Taiwan.

          This workshop marks a significant milestone in the University of Phayao’s partnership with international agencies for curriculum development and lifelong learning promotion. These are crucial components of sustainable development, both at a national and global level.

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