My history with Mukdahan - 2013

We visited Mukdahan in 2013 and again, we crossed the Mehkong River and ventured into Laos. The purpose of our trip was to visit with the Thai Counsul-General to Savannakhet, Laos and to visit with the general manager of Savan Park a local industrial site that is in the process of being developed. We hoped to learn more about economic development for the area and to assess the emerging employment market. The industrial development was impressive. The park will be quite large, about 5 square km for the first stage, complete with western-style schools for children and a hospital. We learned that a number of international firms (European and Asian) had already invested in the park and were making plans to build. We left convinced that the Mukdahan campus could provide some resources for these companies, particularly the IT program.

When we returned to Mukdahan we visited  a couple of high schools and made presentations. Some students were able to communicate in English, but there were not that many who were brave enough to attempt speaking in English. it was surprising to learn how much the Thai struggle with adopting English into curricula. There is a  need of qualified English teachers and well, the students don't seem to understand how important the common English language can be -- I would say that there is not a strong interest. Regardless, we met with school leaders to see if we could learn more about how to involve the students in the university campus.

Our final task in Mukdahan was to work with the Mukdahan campus directors to develop an Information and Communication Technologies program map. We spent an afternoon discussing what we had seen in Laos, the effect that AEAN 2015 might have on the local economy and how MUK might fit into the overall picture. We had an opportunity to spend some time with the faculty and in the city of Mukdahan exploring different areas and parks.

When we left Mukdahan we decided to investigate online/distance learning in Thailand. Fortunately, a graduate of the FSU college of communication doctoral program works at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, School of Communication Arts. Sukhothai Open University enrolls more than 150,000 students, many of who comprise their an enormous online enrollment. We toured two television studios, a radio station and had the opportunity to review some of the print materials that are used in their distance learning model. It's an interesting case because they use a Learning Management System, but because of the nature of the population they are using older forms of distance education media, including telephone, print materials and pre-recorded programs on media delivered through the mail.

The interesting cultural events were a trip to Kor Chang (not pictured), a Thai wedding (congratulations Nop!), a family get-together, and a visit to China town.