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Cooperation between O6U and Chiang Mai Rajabaht University (CMRU) of Thailand
In the framework of activating cooperation agreement signed with CMRU in February 2007 and pursuant to discussions with CMRU President and his associates during their visit to O6U in November 2010, DR.Kheireldin Abdellatif Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees for International Strategies and Cultural Relations and Dr.Saeed El Gohary,Prof. of Egyptology and O6U consultant paid a working visit to CMRU from 4 to 13 March 2011 to work out details of implementing provisions of the cooperation agreement.(integral text enclosed).(1)
O6U delegation held talks with CMRU President Prof.Ruangdet Wongla, Vice President Prof.Tammakit Thammo, Dr.Songkiet Sangskananee, Deputy Director of the Institute of Languages (in charge of international outreach.
Talks centered on establishing centre for Middle East studies: (2)
It was agreed that O6U will help in establishing the centre that carries the name " October 6 University Centre for Middle East Studies" with a view to providing education, research to students, researchers and faculty and to create awareness on the Middle East (including Africa) cultures in the wide sense, in addition to creating networking with similar centres in Thailand and in the Middle East. The sides stressed the academic and scientific character of the centre's courses and activities.
Courses and topics proposed include – inter alia – history, geography and geopolitics, Anthropology and sociology, current politics and economies of the Middle East.O6U would help design the detailed and annotated curriculum for the centre.
It was agreed that the course will be 50 hours divided between distant learning and face to face lecturing (60% for teaching Arabic language and 40% for content).
O6u delegation proposed the vision and the mission for the centre which will be examined and revised by CMRU (Enclosed the agreed minutes of the meeting along with the proposed vision and mission).(3)
O6U delegation visited the proposed site for the centre and gave some remarks and observations notably in relation to collections and the interior décor and CMRU promised to handle them in coordination with Prof.Saeed El Gohary (enclosed a part of the footage of the tentative setup of the centre). (4) CMRU proposed October 2011 as a tentative time for the inauguration of the centre.
Students and Faculty Exchange
The sides are determined to further enhance exchange programs in study and training with special stress on hotel and tourism industry.
Series of lectures on the Middle East (5)
During the visit Dr.Kheireldin Abdellatif delivered 3 lectures introducing the Middle East to the 10 chosen students from different CMRU faculties.
Lectures touched on the different definitions and designations of the Middle East, geography and geopolitics of the Middle East, current political and economic developments, Arab political system and political structure, process and prospects of democratic evolution in Egypt, while prof.Saeed El Gohary delivered 3 lectures on the historic background of the Middle East and religion in ancient and modern Egypt. Dr.El Gohary also reviewed different ancient civilizations of the Middle East, in addition to teaching Arabic language.
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1-integral text enclosed
2-Talks centered on establishing centre for Middle East studies:
Glance at the City of Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai ( New City),the Northern Capital of Thailand, (often referred to as "The Rose of the North"),was founded by King Mengrai in 1296.
Sited approximately 700 Kms. north of Bangkok on the Ping River the fertile Chiang Mai valley, it is some 310 meters (1.027 feet) above sea level, which accounts for its slightly drier and cooler climate than most other parts of this country. The population is estimated to be 250.000 inhabitants.
The province itself is large, measuring 130 Kms from east to west, and 320 Kms from north to south. As well as Thai nationals, it is the home of various colorful minorities, many with Thai citizenship, including the Lua, Mon, Karen, Lisu, AKha, Hmong and Muser peoples. To the west of Chiang Mai is Myanmar (Burma), while the provinces.
Like its Culture ,Chiang Mai's architecture reflects Lanna Thai,Burmese,Sri Lankan and Mon influences. There are some 300 temples in the city and on its outskirts.
The Golden Age of Lanna-Chiang Mai lies some 500 years back in the time of king Tilokarat,but the city has recently been undergoing a process of regeneration, and while full of the bustle of modern life, it hasn't lost touch with its glorious past.
3-(Enclosed the agreed minutes of the meeting along with the proposed vision and mission).
4-(enclosed a part of the footage of the tentative setup of the centre).
5-Series of lectures on the Middle East
October 6 University Centre for Middle East Studies
Vision
- Enabling students and scholarly community to have a body of knowledge about the Middle East.
Mission and Goals
- To foster and generate knowledge on the Middle East (its past and current developments).
- To promote teaching, learning, research and public awareness of the vast and diverse array of Middle Eastern cultures, languages and the peoples.
- Provide knowledge to the people of Thailand and beyond.
- Sharing University resources and expertise with academic communities and the general public through creating linkages, fostering relationships with domestic and foreign outreachs, and inviting and cosponsoring guest scholars and numerous outreach engagement activities on and off campus.
- Dissemination of knowledge on the Middle East and other centers.
o Providing teaching, resources, services and consultations to a number of constituencies: students of all ages, teaching faculty, alumni, business leaders and government and others.
Courses and Topics
- History of the Middle East.
- Geography and Geopolitics of the Middle East.
- Cultures: Languages/ Art and Music/Literature/ Customs and traditions/ Religion and society.
- Anthropology and sociology (political and social/ Gender/ Ethnicity/ family/ classes……etc.
- Modern politics and Economics (the polity/Elite/Army/Civil society/NGO's/ Religion and the state; International relations and the Middle East, comparative politics….etc.
These courses are designed to provide a rather comprehensive understanding of peoples, societies, cultures and political and economic developments of the region in addition to introducing students to a variety of methodology for studying the Middle East.
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(1) Middle East here refers to North Africa and West Asia according to UN designation
Glance at the City of Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai ( New City),the Northern Capital of Thailand, (often referred to as "The Rose of the North"),was founded by King Mengrai in 1296.
Sited approximately 700 Kms. north of Bangkok on the Ping River the fertile Chiang Mai valley, it is some 310 meters (1.027 feet) above sea level, which accounts for its slightly drier and cooler climate than most other parts of this country. The population is estimated to be 250.000 inhabitants.
The province itself is large, measuring 130 Kms from east to west, and 320 Kms from north to south. As well as Thai nationals, it is the home of various colorful minorities, many with Thai citizenship, including the Lua, Mon, Karen, Lisu, AKha, Hmong and Muser peoples. To the west of Chiang Mai is Myanmar (Burma), while the provinces.
Like its Culture ,Chiang Mai's architecture reflects Lanna Thai,Burmese,Sri Lankan and Mon influences. There are some 300 temples in the city and on its outskirts.
The Golden Age of Lanna-Chiang Mai lies some 500 years back in the time of king Tilokarat,but the city has recently been undergoing a process of regeneration, and while full of the bustle of modern life, it hasn't lost touch with its glorious past.
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