The Response From Higher Education Institutions in Thailand[1]

7/29/2019 The Response From Higher Education Institutions in Thailand[1]

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The Response from Higher Education

Institutions in Thailand to King

Bhumibols Sufficiency Economy

by

Professor Dr. Apichai Puntasen

Dean of the Faculty of Management

Science, Ubon Rajathanee University,Thailand.

November 8, 2006


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Main Issues to be Presented.

Introduction

Sufficiency Economy as a Tool for

Elimination of Human Greed Official Meaning of Sufficiency Economy

Response from Higher Education Institution

Details of Sufficiency Economy Programsat Ubon Rajathanee University.

Epilogue


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Capitalism as an institution of greed

propagated by globalization will eventuallylead to self-destruction of human beings.

Introduction


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Elimination of Human Greed.

Sufficiency economy advocates for enough

or sufficiency.

Sufficiency economy advocates for a

process of development, step by step or

distribution before growth.


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During the height of economic performance

in Thailand 1987-1996, the King was not

impressed by such growth illusion.

He warned the Thai people since 1994 for

taking high risk backed by human greed.


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In 1994, the King proposed the new

theory as the means to solve the problem

of poverty among small farmers. The

theory consisted of three steps of the

development.


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Official Meaning of Sufficiency Economy

Sufficiency Economy is a philosophy thatstresses the middle path as an overridingprinciple for appropriate conduct by the

populace at all levels. This applies toconduct starting from the level of thefamilies, communities, as well as the level of

national development and administration soas to accommodate change in line withglobalization.


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Sufficiency means moderation, reasonableness,and the need of self-immunity for sufficient

protection from impact arising from internal andexternal shocks. To achieve this, an application of

knowledge with due consideration andprudenceis essential. In particular, great care is needed in

the utilization of theories and methodologies forplanning and implementation in every step.


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At the same time, it is essential to strengthenthe ethical integrity of the nation, so everyone,

particularly public officials, academics,businessmen at all levels, adheres first and

foremost to the principles of honesty andintegrity. In addition, a way of life based onpatience, perseverance, diligence, wisdomandprudence is indispensable to create balance

and be able to cope appropriately with criticalchallenge arising from extensive and rapidsocioeconomic, environmental and culturalchanges in the world.


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Poor response from higher education institution is

due mainly to the following factors.

i) Sufficiency Economy cannot be easilyunderstood from the point of view of mainstream

economics and business administration

ii) Thakins government only encouragegreed not sufficiency.


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Among almost 100 higher education institutions,

in 2006 only three have attempted to apply the

concept of Sufficiency Economy, they are MaeJo University in the North, National Institute of

Development Administration (AIDA) in

Bangkok, and Ubon Rajathanee University, in the

Northeast.


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Details of Sufficiency Economy Programs

at Ubon Rajathanee University

A Post Graduate Program:M.A. and

PH.D in Integral Development Studies

An Under-graduate Program B.A.

Management Science (Sufficiency

Economy)


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Structure of Curriculum at the B.A. level.

1. Ready to learn from all sources of knowledgeespecially that of the local wisdom.

2. Equipped with tool for future self-education.

3. Mental development through meditation.

4. Having concrete foundation for further

academic studies.


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Structure of Curriculum at the B.A. level.

5. In-depth knowledge of Sufficiency Economy

6. Practical knowledge to earn living in the future

7. Required additional academic knowledge for

better prepared to live the life of Sufficiency

Economy


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1. Sufficiency Economy can be validly call ethical

economics. It has its root in all major religions

but does not require back up from any religion.

2. Sufficiency Economy has a status of a grounded

theory, namely, its theoretical basis is built on

actual practices.

Epilogue


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3. It can be clearly demonstrated that an individual

life as well as the nation with self-immunity

will be secure, the basic foundation for happiness

4. For the Lao PDR, the concept of Sufficiency

Economy is not entirely new. The country has

always looked for alternative route to capitalism.The only caution is not to fall into its trap in the

future.

Epilogue

Documents

The Response From Higher Education Institutions in Thailand[1]