MYSORE: University of Mysore (UoM) and Chulalongkorn University (Thailand) on Thursday decided to strengthen their bonds through student- and teacher-exchange programmes and finetune their research in the field of physics, bio-chemistry, chemistry and biotechnology. UoM also intends to explore the strong points of Thailand tourism and related curricula.
Speaking at a press meet here, Chulalongkorn University vice-president Kalaya Tingsabadh said that tourism in Thailand is booming because of programmes and courses which show students how to tap tourism in a professional way. “For instance, we have a masters programme in cultural management, which makes students to understand the country’s culture and it history in depth,” she said, adding that Thailand is ready to help India on this score.
Thailand attracts over 20 million tourists every year, and this is a big volume for any country to handle. “We are ready to share our tourism-related knowledge with India, as that latter also has a lot of potential for tourism,” she added.
Chulalongkorn University also wants to concentrate on HR development, which could be achieved through increasing student- and teacher-exchange programmes. “We are ready to bear the cost of teachers’ stay and other facilities,” she said, adding: “Nowadays, students from Thailand are evincing interest in coming to India to take up various courses. We are interested in carrying out studies on writings and manuscripts by using the facilities and study material available at Oriental Research Institute.”
UoM vice-chancellor K S Rangappa said that teachers from both the universities will emphasize on research and strengthen the faculty academically through exchange programmes. “UoM teachers will go there to teach for three months, and those from Thailand will teach here,” he added.
Lack of infrastructure, transport facilities
Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum, deputy head of Mission Royal Thai Embassy in India, said: “Thailand-India relations are building up in post-cold war era. Thailand, as a member of ASEAN, is looking at India for strengthening friendship. Thais are keen to visit India for her rich history and culture. But improper infrastructure and transport facilities is holding them back.”
O an average, 90,000 Thais, half of them being Buddhist pilgrims, visit India. “India should build infrastructure and create best transport facilities to attract more tourists from all over the world in general and Thailand in particular,” he said, suggesting UoM to offer courses in tourism, as “Mysore is a heritage city”, to which UoM VC Rangappa responded positively.
“Our PG course in tourism has failed to attract students. But the tie-up with Chulalongkorn University, it should change. We will such courses attractive and job-oriented, the VC added.
Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-10-04/mysore/42715937_1_thailand-india-exchange-programmes-chulalongkorn-university