Capacity Building at the National University of Laos

ADRAS project is unique from any other research schemes in the sense that we need to focus on the developmental aspect of the project.  In the previous month, our team focused on building research capacity and skills with partners from Rajabhat, Burapha and Thammasat Universities. At this phase of the project, we visited the National University of Laos to work with our team and their students on the capacity building on research and communication of research in developmental studies.

We value the contribution of this project from both developmental and educational perspectives. Hence, our capacity building activities will focus on strategy to use education as a key tool to work with delegates from various developmental agencies in Lao PDR and countries in Mekong region.

                                                                            Patuxai

In early March, our team organised a workshop on research and communication in developmental studies, base on our fieldwork in Vilabouly (Lao PDR) and Pijit (Thailand). The workshop participants are 17 postgraduate students in the master of sciences in community development from National University of Laos (NUOL).

All of them are experienced workers from various international NGOs, Governmental agencies, business owners, and officers form international organisations in Lao PDR and the region. They were interested in conducting an individual community development project and keen to discuss and share their research experiences with our team. In particular, delegates who are currently working on gender, mitigation of natural disasters in Laos, and mining for development were keen to share with us their work and experiences from the fields.

Workshop was conducted by Associate Professor Kabmanivanh Phouxay from NUOL and Associate Professor Natt Pimpa from RMIT University. The key foci of the workshop include methodology for research in community development, how to identify impacts of your research, and communication techniques for researchers in this discipline.

                                                             Activity/Brainstorming

One important discussion among participants at the workshop is how to make the most of modern social media and electronic platforms to create impacts of our research in community development. Issues on modern platform such as open-access journal, linkedin, and webinar concept were debated among participants from NUOL.

                                               Photo with some delegates from NUOL

At the end of the training session, the delegates reflected upon their experiences at the workshop. For them, the most important learning aspect was their comprehension on communication strategies and techniques for research. It is commonly known that research in community development or economic development tend not to be well and strategically communicated, due to lack of skills and proper understanding of communication concept. It is our hope that this capacity building program, funded by DFAT, will be useful for all participants from Laos.