Aiming to drive economic growth through enhanced competencies of professionals in the Lancang-Mekong (LM) region, Mekong Institute (MI), with the support of the People’s Government of Yunnan Province, China, gathered 25 LM government officials from May 13 to 24, 2024, for a regional training program on human resource development (HRD).
The two-week program featured four training modules tailored to the context of the six LM countries, including China, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The first week, held at the MI Residential Training Center in Khon Kaen, Thailand, comprised sessions on professional communication facilitated by Dr. Matthew Ferguson from Mahidol University International College. These sessions involved various group discussions and presentations on cross-cultural communication.
During the second week, which took place in Bangkok, Thailand, participants learned more about HRD’s role in regional economic growth through lectures and case studies. Key speakers included Ms. Mega Irena from the ASEAN Secretariat, Dr. Chompoonuh Permpoonwiwat from Srinakharinwirot University, and Assistant Professor Dr. Poolsak Koseeyaporn from the Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council.
To provide practical and complementary learning, MI arranged study visits for the participants to institutions in Khon Kaen and Bangkok, such as the Bank of Thailand – Northeastern Region Office, the Soil Doctors Program in Lancang-Mekong Countries Project, ASEAN Talent Pool, and EEC Automation Park.
The program marks the second year of collaboration between MI and the People’s Government of Yunnan Province in this area, reflecting a continuing commitment to supporting the skills and professional development of the region’s workforce under the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation. Besides enhancing participants’ professional competencies, the program also fostered cross-cultural communication among them and built a network of skilled individuals that are ready to contribute to the region’s economic development.
The training program concluded with a closing ceremony on May 24, 2024, at the Sukosol Hotel in Bangkok, where participants showcased their newly acquired knowledge and skills through their final presentations.
