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 Background
The Mekong River is one of the
great rivers of the world. Wetlands of
the lower Mekong basin are intimately
linked with ecological balance and socioeconomic
well-being, nourishing a population of
55 million people of 4 countries: Lao
PDR, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Despite
their importance, wetlands in the Mekong
River Basin have suffered from widespread
destruction due to misuse and abuse. Collaboration
among universities in the countries of
the basin, namely Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand
and Vietnam is essential, both in providing
effective regional training and in improving
understanding and cooperation among researchers
and educators of the region. It was thus
proposed to establish a network of universities
of the region.
Agreement on Academic Cooperation
The first executive meeting was
held in Ho Chi Minh City, hosted by the
University of Natural Sciences, Viet Nam
National University-Ho Chi Minh City,
during 13-15 November 2002 to formally
create the network, attended by representatives
of Rectors and Presidents of potential
member universities. A second executive
meeting was hosted by the Faculty of Environment
and Resource Studies, Mahidol University,
at Salaya, held in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
on 22 May 2003, to exchange information
and discuss future cooperation. A Memorandum
of Understanding to establish a University
Network for Wetland Ecology and Conservation
Training in the Mekong Region was signed
by the representatives of the 8 member
universities, for an initial period of
5 years. In addition, an agreement for
academic cooperation at the Faculty level
was signed by the deans
of faculties and the directors of institutes
involved.
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Goals of the Network |
| Immediate goal: to
jointly provide academic and practical training
in wetland ecology and conservation. |
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| Long term goal: to
strengthen the capacity of member universities
in establishing complete academic programs
in wetland ecology and conservation.
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Partner Organizations |
| The network has 8 initial
member universities, namely the Royal University
of Agriculture (RUA-Cambodia), Royal University
of Phnom Penh (RUPP-Cambodia), National
University of Laos (NUOL- Lao PDR), Mahidol
University (MU-Thailand), Chulalongkorn
University (CU-Thailand), Can Tho University
(CTU-Viet Nam), Nong Lam University (NLU-Viet
Nam), the University of Natural Sciences-Ho
Chi Minh City (UNS-HCM, Viet Nam). Last
year, 3 more member universities joined
the network: Champasak University (ChU)
of Lao PDR, Mahasarakham University (MhU)
of Thailand, An Giang University (AGU) of
Viet Nam. Member universities agreed to
establish a website, to be developed and
maintained by the Faculty
of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol
University. The core focal point of
the network in Thailand is the Faculty of
Environment and Resource Studies (MU-Thailand)
by Dr Sansanee Choowaew (email: enscw@mahidol.ac.th). |
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Academic Cooperation |
| The 8 universities will support
the network in the following areas: |
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Development and operation
of joint practical training courses in wetland
ecology and conservation |
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Capacity building for establishment of
complete academic programs in wetland science
in member universities of the network |
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Collaboration in wetland research, education
and communication projects |
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Collaboration in research and education
on other scientific and technical areas
of mutual concern |
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Exchange of scientists and students |
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Regional wetland conferences and consultations. |
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Academic Exchange |
| Over the first 5 year period
of this network agreement, many visits and
exchange of lecturers, researchers and students
are being made among member universities.
For the academic year 2004, a number of
trainees from the first training, especially
from Lao PDR and Cambodia, were accepted
to further their study at the postgraduate
level (M.Sc. in Natural Resource Management
International Programme) at the Faculty
of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol
University. |
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Long Term Benefits |
| The University Network for
Wetland Ecology and Conservation Training
in the Mekong Region has several unique
characteristics. Its operating activities
can contribute to further education for
sustainable development for the following
reasons: |
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The network provides education and training
on wetland ecology and conservation. |
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The establishment and operation of the
network takes into account a river basin-based
approach i.e. the Mekong River Basin. |
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The priority targets for the network's
training activities are junior lecturers
and researchers of member universities.
In the future, these personnel will become
important task force in wetland education,
research and trainings region-wide. |
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The network training activities require
minimal expertise from outside. Trainers
are selected and drawn from member universities
within the region. Training is provided
using the most available expertise, experience,
and teaching facilities of member universities. |
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The network operates regional training
activities, using key wetland ecosystems
of the Mekong region as natural laboratories
for the training. Course contents are field-oriented
and emphasize hands-on exercises. Trainees
have a holistic view and an insight of wetland
ecosystems within the Mekong region. They
also have opportunities to share their knowledge
and experience with colleagues from other
riparian countries and learn from each other. |
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The university network enhances the networking
among individual academics, thereby strengthening
capacity and enhancing cooperative efforts
in wetland communication, education, and
public awareness within the Mekong region. |
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| For further information, contact:
enaps@mahidol.ac.th |
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Mekong Universities Network
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