By Romel Pascua, StratCom Correspondent

Fifteen faculty members and nine graduate students from the MMSU Graduate School (GS) and College of Teacher Education (CTE) participated in the Thailand-Philippines Bilateral Graduate Student Research Forum. The event was held at Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand, from November 22 to 25.

The four-day forum, co-convened by MMSU, Kasetsart University, Mindanao State University - Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography, and Philippine Normal University Manila  and South Luzon, aimed to promote academic exchange between graduate students from Thailand and the Philippines. It facilitated the presentation and discussion of research across various disciplines focusing on educational leadership and addressing global challenges across academic disciplines.

The MMSU faculty members who participated in the forum included Dr. Romelyn Lagura, chief of the Center for Teaching Excellence, who served as a research presenter and member of the Technical Working Group; Dr. Winicel May Ancheta, Dr. Madeline Fernando, Dr. Bert Gamiao, Dr. Gerry Abad, Dr. Leizel Concepcion, Dr. Lilibeth Abrogena, Dr. Romel Pascua, Dr. Edrian Saraos, Prof. Christy Ann Rahon, Dr. James Ventura III, Dr. Mark Joseph Pastor, Dr. Jay-ar  Cristobal, Dr. Karina Damo, Prof. Mark Ian Tagami, and Ms. Mayrose Bruno, all of whom served as session facilitators and research presenters.

The MAEd students from MMSU who contributed as student organizers, session facilitators, and research presenters during the parallel research sessions included Christian Athena Gracia  Bon, Jane De Vera, Renald De Vera, Justine Bern  Quicho, Glenn Frey Racuya, Rose Ann  Demandante, Glaiza Amor Guillermo, and April Jieren Muska.

In an interview, Renald De Vera, one of the graduate student participants, shared that the forum provided him with a platform to broaden his knowledge and experience in research on educational leadership.

The forum commenced with a visit to the Ministry of Education of Thailand, where participants engaged in a benchmarking activity. The visit offered insights into Thailand’s basic education landscape, highlighting best practices and strategies for addressing educational challenges. 

The delegates also visited the offices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO). These visits featured in-depth discussions on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the roles of these organizations in enhancing education quality in Southeast Asia and globally, and emerging educational trends within ASEAN.

On the second day, the forum included an academic collaboration and leadership workshop. Keynote speeches were delivered by Dr. Rangsun Wiboonuppatum, an education specialist at UNICEF Bangkok, and Associate Professor Prompilai Buasuwan of Kasetsart University. They addressed the topic “Skills Framework for Students in Basic Education in Thailand,” providing insights into the Thai education system. Additionally, MMSU delegates attended a lecture on “Instructional Leadership in the 21st Century,” delivered by Professor Philip Hallinger, TSDF Chair Professor of Leadership and Sustainable Development at Mahidol University.

During the cultural night, MMSU delegates performed traditional Ilokano folk songs, offering a glimpse into Filipino culture. This event allowed attendees to appreciate the diverse cultural heritage of both Thailand and the Philippines.

The forum concluded with a cultural visit to the Grand Palace and other iconic landmarks in Thailand, allowing participants to immerse themselves in Thai culture and history. The event also featured a benchmarking and campus tour at Thammasat University in Bangkok, which included a knowledge exchange session on educational policies in Thailand and the Southeast Asian region.

Dr. Romelyn Lagura expressed her gratitude to MMSU and Kasetsart University for the opportunity to contribute to advancing innovative education leadership and addressing global challenges through multidisciplinary perspectives.

MMSU OIC-President Dr. Prima Fe R. Franco and Assistant Professor Udomluk Koolsriroj, dean of the Faculty of Education at Kasetsart University, expressed hope for further collaboration between the two universities in research and extension.

The Thailand-Philippines Bilateral Graduate Student Research Forum revolved around the theme, “Transformative Education Leadership Across Disciplines: Navigating Innovation, Equity, and Global Challenges.”