4 - 6 April 2018
National University of Laos (NUOL), Vientiane, Lao PDR
Building Social Research Capacities in Higher Education Institutions in Lao PDR and Malaysia (BRECIL)
Executive Summary
The first BRECIL kickoff meeting was hosted by the National University of Laos (NUOL) in Laos from 4th to 6th April 2018. This meeting gathered all partner universities from 5 different countries (Gothenburg University, Sweden; Groningen University, the Netherlands; UAL/SDI: University of Applied Languages SDI Munich, Germany; University of Malaya, Malaysia; University Utara Malaysia; National University of Laos, Lao PDR and Souphanouvong University, Lao PDR).
The purpose of the meeting was (a) to allow the participants to get acquainted and establish lines of communication, (b) the initiation of the work packages with an emphasis on the exchange of background information of each university in terms of ICT and research governance, (c) to make an action plan for project implementation. This meeting was the first step of the project, which provided an opportunity for the BRECIL team to work together in order to gain more information on the following matters - ICT, research governance and others. The meeting was very fruitful and had a lively atmosphere. At the end of the meeting, each team member came up with a tentative plan for project implementation (2017-2020).
Three day meeting (April 4th to 6th, 2018)
There are three main objectives of the BRECIL project. First, it aims to develop and empower researchers in Social Sciences via training and peer learning to design, prioritize and undertake research, write up and publish research findings and inform policy. Second, it intends to develop good governance of research by enhancing the capacity of research departments and teams in universities, to fund, manage and sustain themselves. The final objective is to create a sustainable research capacity building programme in Social Sciences including the utilization of ICT technologies leading to sustainable high quality research, conditions for cooperation and potential for policy impact. This is a three-year project (2017-2020) and it requires a clear action plan to accomplish all the objectives of the project.
According to the meeting agenda, the following tasks were accomplished :
Day 1
The opening ceremony went well with the meaningful opening speech by the Vice Rector of NUOL (Assoc. Prof. Somchanh Bounphanhmy) and Prof Dr. Azirah Hashim, Executive Director, Asia-Europe Institute, UM. This was followed by an introduction on the project and financial management issues. It brought a lot of discussion regarding financial management of the project. This is helpful for the BRECIL project to have a good start. Forty participants were present at the opening ceremony from different offices at the University level, the representatives from other Faculties and the head of department and division from Faculty of Letters. The topics that were covered ranged from Project introduction, Project briefing, and Contractual management, followed by a networking session between partners.
Day 2
The second day consisted of discussions on the stock taking activity, led by Prof Dr. Azirah Hashim. The team members also listened to detailed information from each partner and programme country representative on the matter of research governance and ICT. This provided an opportunity for the BRECIL team to obtain some required information for the stock taking template. The team gained a better understanding on the Work Packages; DEV1, DEV2, DEV3 and PM, QM and DISS/EXP from the representatives from the partner and programme countries. It is helpful for the BRECIL team to prepare for the last day of the meeting.
Day 3
The BRECIL team was divided into three groups to gather more information regarding Training of Trainers (TOT), research governance, in particular the two universities in Laos (NUOL and SU) to create action plans for the remaining time of the project. The last group aimed to discuss details on Quality Management of the project. The final presentation of the representative from each group provided some views on what the BRECIL team has to do during the next three years.
Project Partners
Programme Country HEIs:
- 1. GOTH: Gothenburg University, Sweden
- 2. GRON: Groningen University, the Netherlands
- 3. UAL/SDI: University of Applied Languages SDI Munich
Coordinating HEI:
- 1. UM: University of Malaya, Malaysia
Partner Country HEIs:
- 2. UUM: University Utara Malaysia
- 3. NUOL: National University of Laos, Lao PDR
- 4. SU: Souphanouvong University, Lao PDR
Kickoff Meeting Participants
The namelist of BRECIL team members are as follows:
1.1 BRECIL Team
University of Malaya (UM)
|
No. |
Name and surname |
Designation |
|
1 |
Prof. Dr. Azirah Hashim |
Executive Director, Asia-Europe Institute |
|
2 |
Mr. Yee Chee Leong |
Project Manager for BRECIL, Asia-Europe Institute |
|
3 |
Prof. Dr. Noor Hayaty Binti Abu Kasim |
Research Cluster Dean, Wellness Research Cluster, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) |
|
4 |
Mdm. Siti Munirah Kasim |
Social Research Officer, Centre for ASEAN Regionalism University of Malaya |
Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)
|
No. |
Name and surname |
Designation |
|
1 |
Dr. Hariharan N Krishnasamy |
Project Coordinator, Universiti Utara Malaysia |
|
2 |
Prof. Dr. Huda Haji Ibrahim |
Director of IT |
|
3 |
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Azman Yasin |
Member |
|
4 |
Dr. Mazni Omar |
Member |
University of Groningen (GRON), the Netherlands
|
No. |
Name and surname |
Designation |
|
1 |
Prof. Ronald Holzhacker |
Project Coordinator, Faculty of Spatial Science, University of Groningen, the Netherlands |
University of Gothenburg (GOTH), Sweden
|
No. |
Name and surname |
Designation |
|
1. |
Dr. Nataliya |
Representative of GOTH |
University of Applied Languages – SDI Munich, Germany
|
No. |
Name and surname |
Designation |
|
1 |
Prof. Dr. Andreas Stoffers |
Project Coordinator, Professor of International Management, University of Applied Languages / SDI Munich |
Souphanouvong University (SU)
|
No. |
Name and surname |
Designation |
|
1 |
Mrs. Bounthieng Vongsouangtham |
Project Coordinator (SU) |
|
2 |
Dr. Soulideth Keoboualaphet |
Head of TOT |
|
3 |
Dr. Bounmy Keohavong |
Head of Research Governance |
National University of Laos (NUOL)
|
No. |
Name and surname |
Designation |
|
1 |
Mr. Phoxay Theovilayvong |
Head of Operational Team |
|
2 |
Dr. Latsanyphone Soulignavong |
Project Coordinator (NUOL) |
|
3 |
Mr. Khamphanh Sithavong |
IT Personnel |
|
4 |
Mr. Souksavanh Anoxay |
Research Governance Team |
|
5 |
Mr. Sisamout Seambouttaraj |
Member |
|
6 |
Mr. Bouangeune Souvannasy |
Member |
|
7 |
Ms. Manivong Phongsa |
Financial Personnel |
|
8. |
Mr. Sisaath Kaopaseuth |
QA |
|
9 |
Mr. Onsee |
TOT Team |
2.2 Others (Opening ceremony)
The opening ceremony was attended by more than 20 guests from the Administrative Office at NUOL, the representatives of dean from other Faculties as well as the Faculty of Letters.
Prepared by: Dr Latsanyphone Souliyavong, NUOL
