shaping mindsets

 TGIF mai ka, everyone?

For me, it could be a ‘yes’ ka as it’s been one full week of different activities at different sites…. and definitely with several things to share ka!

One activity was to focus on changing mindsets, which is still hard for many of us who are so used to our own ways or working and living for decades ka.

We got a pool of highly capable panelists  from Dr. Karndee Leopairote and Khun Shannon Kalayanamitr to Dr. Romyen Kosaikanont to share their personal experiences of how they’ve become them today. I could draw some key points from the top of my head as follows:

• Foresight could become more valuable than strategy.
• When we think there's no problem is when there's a problem!
• Life-long learners keep growing through reading, listening, discussions, seeing more of the world, talking with all generations especially the younger ones, etc. 
• Actions work best....not discussions, plans, or usage of 'buzzwords'!
• Curiosity to ask questions or to do what’s trendy can be a good drive.
• Life’s goals can be set for us to attempt to achieve them
• Abundant energy to try new ways forward offers actions.
• Exposure to different and diverse groups to identify idols is one good shortcut to learn from them, what and how they think and act, fail and move forward, etc.
• Desire to do what’s meaningful and impactful to society becomes life's purpose that goes beyond self.
• Learning about failure is for anyone to grow....anyone who may be on the smarter side or the other end of the spectrum (I wish to add that sometimes, education and society judge us inaccurately..simply from grades and positions for example.)
• Diversity is still the keyword for us to understand and take advantage of.
• Life isn't only for work and when it comes to time for a happy life, be on the analogue way to slow down.
• Boredom is an asset when it leads us to explore different things across fields.
• Hierarchical approach should be considered obsolete....encouraging cross-silos to kill silos!
• Use of current space available is to be seriously considered since it won't be applicable any longer in our university settings and beyond.

Anything you like most mai ka?

Great Balancing

 Hello all. Hope you had a fully happy Songkran, relaxing as wished ka. 

It turned out to be one of the most productive days for me as I managed to finish several powerpoint presentations for my upcoming talks! I don't know why it took quite long to finish one set of ppt.....I reasoned that there have been so many changes in the world and I need to update myself a lot more. My friend said I was older and slower ka 5555!

Today, let me share what I listened to from Khun Tonson (Santitarn Satienthira) both at a seminar organized by MHESI and the Secret Sauce #EE335 about 'The Great Balancing' ka.

This is sort of continuation from his book, 'The Great Remake' and this time, he thinks that the world and Thailand in particular have to manage existing and new challenges that have caused imbalances as follows:

1. Global political power basically between the US and China.....the Russia-Ukrain war has made it clearer how the power is being played na ka.

2. Macro economic situation which has seen stagflation, rising costs of food and energy plus the challenges from supply chains.

3. Social disparity for some sectors like tourism that goes downhill while other sectors seem to grow nicely.

4. Work life balance which differs from generations and could lead to great resignation, talent management, etc.

Khun Tonson shared a story about his little survey in his office to find that most wanted to work at the office. What actually happens is that they love it but they seem to take turns to have their leave of absence. He concludes that the team simply wants to have more flexibility in choosing their time and place.

5. Climate change that may see the trade-off with traditional energy sources since the options aren't ready for us to replace the current usage

6. digital divide and new type of relationship with avatars , NFT to change our ways of life, and generational context

He said our country seems like walking on a tightrope that needs mindfulness, several scenarios, data-driven risk management, diverse groups of people who are sincere to share honest opinions and to work across sectors/disciplines. We do need to be more flexible with a positive drive to adjust faster while looking for some opportunities as well ka.

statement/message/slogan shared

Hope you're enjoying your weekend ka.

Following what I wrote earlier this week, I'd like to share a little further ka.

As the session ran for 75 minutes, I decided to split into 2 parts for the first for 10 minutes when they could follow the guided questions or choose to touch on some other as well. The second was brief for them to come up with their own statement/message/slogan for other participants to remember them and their programs ka.

It was quite short (and sweet) so I had to run after them to get what they said. You'll also notice that efforts are being made by our intra/inter-regional organizations for the younger generation to have increased exposure across cultures in ASEAN/SE Asia ka.

Let me share them here ka:

Watsachol Narongsaksakul, alumna of ASEAN Foundation's eMpowering Youth across ASEAN
'The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the services of others.' by Mahatma Gandhi. 

Warawaran Yarn-Arpha from the Bank of Thailand, joining the SHARE Mobility program to the Netherlands
Share your world, Expand your view, with SHARE Program.

Chanbora Sek, Cambodian student-- AUN's awardee on ASEAN Master Program on Sustainability Management at Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia

"ASEAN needs young people like us because ASEAN has a huge potential to become a big regional and global player, especially in shaping the global economic landscape toward sustainability, and therefore as young leaders of ASEAN it is our duty to create a common vision and share purpose that can make this ambition become possible. Therefore, we can’t do anything alone, it needs collective actions to achieve something greater."

Yee Teng Low, exchange student from Malaysia to Mae Fah Luang University under AIMS initiated and coordinated by SEAMEO RIHED....Yee Teng is real passionate about exchanges to the point that he founded a platform called 'Rakun' (รักคุณ) for cultural matters and internationalization

"Expose, Explore, Experience, Be Global Citizens, Let's keep connected!"

Wonderful kids to lead and shape our wonderful world for their future ka.