2014 Taiwan-Thailand Action Plan on Vocational Education Collaboration Forum Held in Taiwan
The 2014 Taiwan-Thailand Action Plan on Vocational Education Collaboration Forum was held at Mingdao University on May 27. Dr. Aganit delivered a keynote speech on the “Outlook of Vocational Education in Thailand”, outlining details of vocational education policies and practice in Thailand. Experts in Taiwan spoke on the topics “The Correlation between Human Resources and the High-tech Industry in Taiwan”, “The History of Vocational Training in Taiwan”, and “The Current Situation of Vocational Education in Taiwan and its Strengths”. There was also a panel discussion on making action plans for future cooperation between Taiwan and Thailand.
A Memorandum of Understanding on Educational Cooperation between Taiwan and Thailand was signed after the forum. A Strategic Alliance has been formed by National Erh-lin Industrial and Commercial Vocational High School, Da Der Commercial & Technical Vocational School, National Shiou Shuei Senior Industrial Vocational High School, National Yuanlin Agricultural & Industrial Vocational High School, and National Beidou Senior Home Economic & Commercial Vocational High School, led by Mingdao University, to assist Thai vocational colleges to improve their educational qualities.
Taiwan will give priority to assisting Thailand with vocational education that in the fields of automobile maintenance, energy material, hairdressing and cosmetology, hospitality, and intensive farming. Following the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding on Educational Cooperation, the member schools of the Strategic Alliance in Taiwan will increase their faculty and student exchange program activities and workshops with vocational colleges and vocational high schools in Thailand. Taiwan will also assist Thai colleges to gain access to information and methods to establish a licensing system for vocational education.
Dr. Aganit thanked Mingdao University for arranging a fruitful and informative study visit for the vocational educators from Thailand. As well as Mingdao University, the Thai delegation also visited National Erh-lin Industrial & Commercial Vocational High School, Da Der Commercial & Technical Vocational School, the Taichung-Changhua-Nantou Regional Branch of the Ministry of Labor’s Workforce Development Agency, and Royal Base Orchid Farm.
Mingdao University accepted an invitation from Thailand’s Office of Vocational Education Commission for a delegation to visit Thailand on July 23. This was expected to discuss more action plans for vocational education cooperation between Taiwan and Thailand, and fostering ties between the vocational colleges and vocational high schools in Taiwan and those in Thailand.