The Jesuit higher education institutions in Japan and Thailand have signed an agreement to work closer together to boost academic, scientific and educational opportunities of both institutions.
Thailand Jesuit Superior Fr Agustinus Sugiyo Pitoyo SJ was in Tokyo on October 29 for the ceremonial signing, formalising a relationship that began a year ago at the Consortium of Jesuit Education meeting in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in November.
Dr Taro Kotmatsu, Director of the Center for Global Discovery at Sophia University in Japan, endorsed the idea that well-established Jesuit universities should provide support and assistance to fledgling Jesuit institutions.
A month later, Mr Hiroka Hayashi, Head of Managing and Planning for Institutional Research, and Prof Yasushi Hirosato, Director of the ASEAN Hub Center, went to XLC in Chiang Rai to introduce the Sophia English Medium Education Program and conduct an initial survey of the school. Together with two Sophia alumni, Mr and Mrs Otaku, they met with XLC staff to identify projects for collaboration. One of these is the Self-learning Program, a mutual learning collaboration that will bring Sophia University students to XLC to learn about the life of ethnic communities in Chiang Rai, as well as to understand better their economic, social and educational contexts.
Prior to the Sophia students’ planned visit, a Skype conference was held on January 19 between Sophia and XLC students to enable them to get to know one another. XLC students shared their experiences, cultures, weather and college life with the Sophia students, and told them about interesting places to visit in Chiang Rai.
On March 2, a group of Sophia students and professors finally arrived at XLC. From their interaction with XLC students and the villagers, they learnt about the lives, needs and challenges of the people, especially the ethnic groups who inhabit the areas along the Mekong River.
“Their trip to Lahu village became a fulfilling experience for the students. They met the villagers and witnessed their simple lives. Sophia students also learnt much from XLC students’ presentations about their culture and lives. Without doubt, the group reflection and discussion led by Fr Pitoyo made the programme even more meaningful and relevant,” shared Prof Hirosato.
“In the reflection written by the students, they obviously enjoyed all the wonderful activities organised by XLC for their two-day visit.”
Besides student outreach, other areas for collaboration include academic exchange, particularly faculty and student exchange and exchange of academic materials; joint research programmes; joint conferences, symposia and workshops.