The Rector of “Danubius” University on a special mission in Thailand for the internationalization of higher education in Romania

THE “DANUBIUS” UNIVERSITY DEFINES ITS INTERNATIONAL PORTRAIT: FORMING A PARTNERSHIP WITH SIAM INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, BANGKOK, THAILAND

Last week, on July 23 (2015), the Rector of “Danubius” University, Associate Professor Andy Pusca, PhD, with his delegation, consisting of: Vice-Rector for Teaching Activities and Training Staff – Senior Lecturer Monica Pocora, PhD; Senior Assistant to the Rector - Ana Iuliana Mihai; ERASMUS Coordinator - Faculty of Law – Senior Lecturer Florentina Pusca, PhD and Head of Public Relations Office - Senior Lecturer Ana Alina Ionescu Dumitrache, PhD visited one of the top 10 universities in Bangkok, Thailand - SIAM International University.

Greeted by the representative of Siam University, Senior Lecturer Yhing SAWHENY, PhD, the “Danubius” University delegation visited the impressive campus of this institution of higher education recognized for its richest diversity of cultures of hundreds of international students from all over the world, and for the offered domains and program studies. Established in 1965 as a private school of engineering, the SIAM University received this designation and it became an international private higher education institution in 1995.

Student Mobility Thailand - Romania: the First Step of Cooperation between the Two Universities

Although two different worlds, Asia and Europe, the two universities have in common, beyond their membership to the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP), the special attention to the internationalization strategy of higher education as the main tool to adapt the universities to the multitude and novel challenges of globalization.

This was the key aspect on which the discussions between the two leaders of higher education institutions focused at the meeting specifically organized for the visit of the University delegation from Romania.

The corollary of the discussions between the Rector of “Danubius” University, Associate Professor Andy Pusca, PhD, and Siam University President, Pornchai Mongkhonvanit, PhD, emphasizes, as a first materialization of the partnership, the mobility of the students of the two institutions of higher education. “The first step has been taken! We have signed the partnership, now we must get down to the facts! For our students it would be an amazing experience to come to Romania at “Danubius” University to study for a few months. Also, we expect Romanian students to study at our university!, emphasized Mr. Pornchai Mongkhonvanit, PhD, President of Siam University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Also on the line of the internationalization of higher education, Mr Associate Professor Andy Pusca, PhD extended the SIAM University President's proposal, in the sense of developing not only study and practice mobility, but also teaching and training between the two institutions of higher education at the level of academic staff and the entire staff of these institutions, proposing a form of cooperation of the ERASMUS + type.

The two leaders of the universities in question had the opportunity to resume the discussions begun in Bangkok, along with other rectors, presidents of high schools and colleges who attended at the activities organized on the occasion of celebrating the 20^th anniversary of the establishment of the (Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP), an event that occured in 26-29 July at the headquarters of Suranaree University of Technology in the Nakhon Ratchasima City, Thailand.

Inspiring Journey in the History, Culture and Civilization of Bangkok

The “Danubius” University delegation, in the pleasant company of a group of students of the SIAM University, visited the main tourist attractions of the capital of Thailand, being overwhelmed by the imposing beauty of the golden pagodas of the Grand Palace and the impressive statue of Buddha of Wat Pho Buddhist Temple.

The Siam Ocean World, the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia, was the fireworks of the delegation’s incursion in the Thai history and culture of Bangkok.

We should mention that a year ago, “Danubius” University participated as a member of the International Association for Global Development Universities and Colleges (AGAUC) in China at two international scientific events that brought to light the problems facing the higher education around the world: the International Conference The Global Advancement of Universities and Colleges (GAUC) held at Huanghe College of Science and Technology, and the International Conference University SIAS, both host institutions being located in Henan Province, China. On this occasion, “Danubius” University accepted the honoring proposal to become a member of the (Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP). AUAP is a non-governmental organization founded 21 years ago with the aim of becoming a valuable platform for interaction and cooperation between its members in order to discuss and find solutions to the problems of higher education in a globalized world.

We will provide current information on the stage of discussions between the leaders of universities from around the world, and the conclusions of the event organized by AUAP in Thailand.

Head of Public Relations Office,

Ana Alina Ionescu DUMITRACHE