Department Retreat in Amphawa

I was so lucky to participate this biennial retreat of Environmental Engineering Department, Khon Kaen University on January 12-15, 2014. The place of retreat is located in Amphawa District, southwest to Bangkok.

Scenic Spots

It took at least more than 7 hours from Khon Kaen to Amphawa by Van. On the way to Amphawa, we stopped by at Suwan Farm, Rockefeller Foundation for a brief rest, and the nearby of Ayutthaya for a lunch. Around 4 pm, we arrived at Bann Suan MaeKlong Resort (Symbol “A" in the map), where we stayed for 3 nights.

In this 4-day trip, we visited Amphawa floating market (“D"), Damnoen Saduak floating market (“G"), Bung Kung Camp (“I"), coconut sugar workshop (“H"), Don Hoi Lod seashore area (“F"), and a railroad market near Maeklong railroad station (“E"). Of course, quite a few temples were also on the list of scenic spots. Furthermore, this trip was highlighted by the brainstorming of both faculty members and staffs on future Department development in the conference room of the Resort on the second day. It’s always good to have a tour, cultural and technical, thinking of the future in a good mood and very enjoyable environment!

Brainstorming

The key theme of this retreat is “all possible connections to 2015 AEC".

After my presentation regarding CNU’s past history and future development, Dr. Wanpen Wirojanagud asked me to show and explain in detail the roadmap of Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science (CNU) since it’s in Chinese. In my presentation, the ultimate exit goal of CNU’s roadmap is to become a top university, with quantifiable contributions to the society and the country. I was surprised to find that Dr. Wanpen then invited her colleagues to focus on their department development in connection to Asean Economic Community (AEC), which is to be launched in 2015. According to Association of Southeast Asian Nations, "The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) shall be the goal of regional economic integration by 2015. AEC envisages the following key characteristics: (a) a single market and production base, (b) a highly competitive economic region, (c) a region of equitable economic development, and (d) a region fully integrated into the global economy. The AEC areas of cooperation include human resources development and capacity building; recognition of professional qualifications; closer consultation on macroeconomic and financial policies; trade financing measures; enhanced infrastructure and communications connectivity; development of electronic transactions through e-ASEAN; integrating industries across the region to promote regional sourcing; and enhancing private sector involvement for the building of the AEC. In short, the AEC will transform ASEAN into a region with free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labour, and freer flow of capital." This exit goal in line with national and international policy seems to fit the key very well in the brainstorming meeting.

In view of AEC's goal, human resources and skilled professionals can be cultivated and developed greatly by educational institution like Khon Kaen University in Northeastern region of Thailand. So, it seems on the right track to develop all department feature and capacity by linking to 2015 AEC. Then and there they went on brainstorming by dividing all colleagues into two groups: lecturers and staffs, and with this key word “CONNECTION" as a catalyst. The good thing of this brainstorming is that all participants can have their words in the dialogue process, jotting down and expressing the thoughts. Each group was assigned a facilitator to collect and summarize the final common consensus among group members. I am sure the final conclusion can be of great help to Chairperson Dr. Chatchival Aiyathiti when he lays out the whole department roadmap for its future development.

Lecturers’ group

Staffs’ group

Final proposal and group photo

A big family

In these 4 days, we ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner together; we went sightseeing together; and we had dinner and dancing party together. There’s connection going on all the time among all of us. At least, now I can call all their nicknames of the staffs, and I got some more friends and “likes" in my Facebook. This retreat brought and bound everyone of us together. It looks like a big family, working and playing together. I am sure there’s buildup of a sense of belonging within this big family, especially after going through the part of brainstorming.

I am very grateful that I can be part of this family in Environmental Engineering Department, Khon Kaen University. Also, I appreciate that I was allowed to have 2 bowls of rice soup every morning. Certainly, the owner and his family of Bann Suan MaeKlong Resort providing beautiful place and meals make this retreat even more wonderful. At last, thank Noina Kulyakorn for making a good shot of me and cat; it made me feel not lonely though without my wife Michelle in this trip.

Meals in the garden