I didn't write the past week even there were things here and there na ka. Plan to summarize them and add on one workshop I went as you can see from the subject ka.
As you may recall, I've been working with SEAMEO RIHED under its GMS-UC (Greater Mekong Subregion-University Consortium) with funding support from Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund. I was in Laos for several days to team up with a Japanese expert of the project to focus on teaching and research for the group.
My learning was:
- Lao PDR has grown so much in terms of tall buildings and department stores that I could hardly recognize Vientiane then...yet, the people remained gentle and kept their slow-pace life.
- The participants were asked to identify key areas of their teaching and research that needed further improvement/ help.The Thais came up with the issues on 'Outcome-based learning' and 'Research management'. The two will be helpful to all in the region for they allow universities to consider working continuously throughout the value chains of teaching and research. It requires synergy, not silo; and one macro picture together. Leadership to manage the big picture and overall directions is crucial.
I also had an opportunity to attend a 3-hour workshop on 'Listening with Happiness' the past weekend ka. My niece and I decided to go together.
The workshop started from having us sit in a table-less circle, followed by grouping us in 2, 3, and twice in 5; and then back to the big group. It was very helpful to move around meeting new people all the time.
I was reconfirmed that listening attentively could be done when all my focus was with the ones I talked with and with the absence of my smart phone ka. I thought of my earlier coaching session that stressed the importance of, 'be present, be there!'
This workshop saw different generations from BB to X and Y. It was great to learn how the younger ones thought. One in my group was saying that she still didn't know what she wanted because 'every time I know my work cycle, I get bored and want to move on!' On one hand, I was amazed how fast the younger generation learned. On the other, I'd love to ask her some questions like why she thought she knew everything about the jobs and how her creativity could be used to better the jobs in other dimensions. I thought of a key role of leaders as mentors and coaches loei ka.
After we were done listening to all in the group of 5, we were asked to close our eyes and pointed to the one we thought was 'the diamond of the group' to move on to a new group and discuss why we thought of the respective persons as 'diamond'. One told us that 'the diamond' she chose was a chief who had to help handle 4 out of 30 team members suffering from depression. Another said she was impressed with how honest the person was to him/herself to stand firm and lead the life as wished.
I felt that our society could be more supportive and open for our younger generations to learn about themselves and choose what they hope to pursue. One young girl said her parents didn't know much about her sufferings because she didn't want them to worry. This also showed how caring this girl was. If both sides could make time to listen attentively and expect to hear stories that can be so differing from what they are used to hearing, they could express more about their real selves and needs for better support and advice.....not easy but very possible!
In addition, listening well could nurture healthier relationships. One girl said she would go back to talk nicely to her parents as the exercises made her realize it was unnecessary to go against her parents most of the time.
The workshop leader said it was projected that as high as 70% of the people would suffer from depression. Knowing how to listen well would sure help a whole lot ka.
I thought of Fulbright Thailand, which is planning to focus on 'depression'. Listening could be a tool too.
Lots to learn every day na ka.
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