During the course of the sixth run of the Leadership Development Program for Higher Education Institutions in Southeast Asia (LDP-HEIs in SEA), 33 participants from 23 institutions across six ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Viet Nam) met online for five sessions starting in March 2024. This culminated in an in-person session where participants convened in Bangkok, Thailand in May.
The programme was opened on 14 March 2024 by Dr Nur Azura Adam, Deputy Director for Programmes at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and Mr Vignesh Louis Naidu, Director, Operations at The HEAD Foundation.
The over-arching theme for this run is “Designing Your University’s Future”, with participants envisioning their desired future, exploring the delivery of education to achieve applicable educational outcomes and support from required enablers.
The over-arching theme for this run is “Designing Your University’s Future”, with participants envisioning their desired future, exploring the delivery of education to achieve applicable educational outcomes and support from required enablers.
Over three months, the participants discussed key issues revolving HEIs with academics and practitioners from Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan and LDP-HEI alumni. The sessions were facilitated by Programme Director Dr Natarajan Varaprasad, alongside trainers Dr Calvin Chan and Dr Rebekah Lim from the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS).
As part of the programme, the delegation visited Betagro Public Company Limited where representatives shared about their business model, talent management and competencies sought among university graduates.
They also visited two universities. First was at Chulalongkorn University where participants learned about their academic programmes on computer engineering and digital technology, and some of their best practices in teaching and learning methods. The second was at Kasetsart University (KU) where Dr Chongrak Wachrinrat, president of the university, provided an overview of their strategic efforts in designing a resilient university with innovative research and academic programmes. Participants also took time to explore the local scenery of Bangkok with an evening dinner cruise.
Most participants identified improving human resources development, increasing partnerships, expanding their research programme and restructuring their curriculum to include 21st-century skills as intervention areas for their Re-Entry Action Plan (REAP).
After faculty coaching, participants presented their REAP progress in July 2024. We wish participants all the best in driving change in their HEI.
