Introduction
Professor Dr. Supol Wuthisen, the President of BanSomdejchaophraya Rajabhat University was Formally invited by the Rector of Mahasaraswati University Denpasar to be the speaker at the International Conference on Sustainable Development Conference(ICSD) on March 6th, 2012, atthe Grand Inna Bali Beach in Sanur, Denpasar-Bali. However, he cannot join the conference by himself, consequently, on 7th February I was assigned to be his representative to attend the conference and present his research paper under the topic, “The Sustainable Development of the Country by the University’s Duties and Activities: A Case study of BanSomdejchaophraya Rajabhat University”. Though I have experienced to present my research paper at an international conference both in Australia and the United Kingdom, however, this time is challenging and different – To Be the Guest Speaker instead of the BSRU President from Thailand!
The aim of this article is to share the experience with readers and, in doing so, hopefully encourage other academic presenters to learn and grow in their worldwide conferences.
The Warm Welcome Atmosphere at Mahasaraswati University Denpasar
On March 6th, 2012, I reached the conference which was held at Grand Inna Bali Beach Hotel in Bali with very warm welcome vinyl saying:
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICSD)
Hosted By
MAHASARAWATI DENPASAR UNIVERSITY IN COLLABORATION WITH OF FLORIDA AND BANSOMDEJCHAOPRAYA RAJABHAT UNIVERSITY
6th March 2012 , Grand Inna Bali Beach Sanur Denpasar-Bali, INDONESIA
There, the Female Rector of Mahasaraswati University Denpasar), : Tjok Istri Sri Ramaswati, with the prominent delegates of Mahasaraswati University, Prof Dr Wayan Sutjipta, Coordinator of Private Colleges, Region VIII Denpasar, Prof Dr Emil Salim, Former Minister of the Environment of the Republic of Indonesia and the two Guest Speakers from the University of Florida, Christopher Silver, Dean and Professor College of Design, Construction and Planning and Dr Kevin Thompson, Associate Professor and researcher waited for the Guest Speaker from Thailand. I felt I received my award at that time and it was a great honor for me. After the greeting, I think this was an interesting opportunity to meet colleagues from other countries to discuss and exchange professional and various issues related to professional sustainable development and higher education growth. We discussed several topics related to cross culture issues, and sustainable development in various aspects in different countries. It was good to interact with teachers, counselors and administrators from all different experiences. It was also an outstanding learning opportunity for all educators. This was a fabulous, insightful and interesting conference. I am so glad I came. I felt like family in the educational worldwide.
The BSRU President’s Research Paper and My Presentation
Since the theme of the Mahasaraswati University International Conference is Sustainable Development (ICSD), the BSRU President’s Research Paper is beyond interesting and attractive. This paper “The Sustainable Development of the Country by the University’s Duties and Activities: A case study of BanSomdejchaophraya Rajabhat University” provides an outline of the TRENDS Model developed and implemented for local development at both the institution and individual level within Thailand. The history of the development of the model and examples are provided to demonstrate the importance of this model in providing the interface between International Knowledge and Local Knowledge to achieve sustainable local development. Examples considered in the paper include professional development training of academic staff, local action research and the institutional development of Bansomdejchoapraya Rajabhat University. The key components of the model are highlighted for each of the examples. Finally the paper outlines key success factors in implementation of the model. Factors such as leadership, entrepreneurship, partnership, technological change and quality assurance are discussed
The highlight is shown in Figure 1 as Academic practice for sustainable local development Sustainable development can be defined as a growth that is made regularly and continuously without any negative effects in the future and that is performed on basis of great originality unchanged while the international advancement is also taken into consideration. Therefore, the sustainable development is a combination of local identity and international advancement.
Professor Dr. Supol Wuthisen identified a number of issues to be considered as there were gaps between local and international knowledge and that sometimes local knowledge is more meaningful than the knowledge from outside. Professor Dr. Supol introduced the TRENDS model in linking tools between local and international knowledge where: T-transmitting of international knowledge ; R-research and recovering of data to modify knowledge from outside ; E-experiment in local situation; N-newly appropriate knowledge; D-distribute knowledge; and S-services to communities.
It can be further discussed (Figure 1) that it is inevitable that the local people cannot reject the international knowledge, the points to ponder are how fast the acceptance rate of the international knowledge is, and how the international knowledge should be put into practice. The significant factor is the higher education or the society’s leaders who are responsible for creating new knowledge have to reduce the gap. If the gap is wide, the unsustainable development or dependency development will be a result. In contrast, if the gap is closed by appropriate knowledge, the sustainable development will be the outcome suitable for a particular local community. If such gap in all communities is closed, the regions and the country would completely achieve the sustainable development.
Step 1 –(T) The transmission of international knowledge in all desciplines to students. This is the basic mission of
the academic staff.
Step 2 – (R) Research and/ or recovery of data in order to relate the international Knowledge to the local situation.
Step 3 – (E) Local based experimentation of the research findings.
Step 4 – (N) Development of new knowledge relevant to the local community.
Step 5 – (D) Distribution of new knowledge for development.
This includes the Distribution or teaching of new knowledge to students.
Step 6 – (S) Service to the local community by implementing
In my presentation I highlighted the good practices of Sustainable Development of BSRU Academic Practice regarding research projects in Chemistry, Business Administration and Industry Management, etc. I was relieved to find that everyone was very supportive, encouraging and attentive. In the end, the presentation went well and was well received.
I enjoyed presenting the research results at this presentation because it sparked engaging conversations. Consequently, I could share experiences with others and asked the participants to give their experiences for good practices. The session was very interesting and thought provoking.
Conclusion
Apart from teaching students, another expectation of teaching in a university is attending and presenting at academic conferences. It reminded me that we all continue to learn and that learning can be challenging and uncomfortable but with the right preparation and support the result is worth it. I dare say I have done my duties the best as I can. This conference journey was not only to represent the President’s paper and linked the mutual co-operation between two universities and countries, but also to enhance my knowledge of diversity in international an eye-opener for me to understand the effective functioning of mutual understanding among countries and its keen interest in uplifting the university at the Asian and international level. Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Professor Dr.Supol Wuthisen for his encouragement and support for all academic endeavors in BanSomdejchaophraya Rajabhat University and for permitting me to attend this International Conference.
References
Wuthisen, S. (2006) World University Presidents Summit (WUPS), Proceedings : “Sufficiency and Sustainability” (PP. 58,233-236)Commission on Higher Education, Ministry of Education,Thailand, 19-22 July 2006, Bangkok, Thailand. 766pp.
Wuthisen, S. (1997) Cooperation for Mutual Benefit Between Asian and Australian Higher Education University : A Continuing Action towards Local Independency Development in Asia. Research Report, Rajabhat Institute
research and higher education. Moreover, to be the international conference Guest-Speaker was
