ELTE PPK and Chiang Mai University held discussions in Thailand on expanding cooperation in education and research, new joint degree programmes, and the development of student and PhD student mobility. Thanks to another successful grant application by the two institutions, student exchange programmes can continue until 2029.
Chiang Mai University (CMU) and ELTE have been collaborating in the fields of education, research and student mobility since 2019. As part of the third credit mobility programme, a delegation from ELTE’s Faculty of Education and Psychology visited Thailand in June: Dean Andrea Dúll, Nguyen Luu Lan Anh, Director of the Institute of Intercultural Psychology and Education, Orsolya Endrődy, project coordinator, and Pálma Farkas, the institute’s education coordinator.
The programme began with a meeting at rector level, at which CMU leaders and representatives of the Faculty of Education discussed potential areas for future collaboration. The meeting was attended by Thanyanuparp Ananthana, Vice-Chancellor of CMU, and Tipparat Noparit, Dean of the Faculty of Education. In addition to expanding educational and research links, the possibility of launching a joint degree programme and student exchange schemes going beyond the International Credit Mobility (ICM) programme were also discussed.
The deans of the two faculties reviewed the specific funding opportunities at a separate meeting, including the next rounds of the ICM, Capacity Building programmes and the possibility of joint participation in research grants in Thailand.
Lectures and workshops formed an important part of the professional programme. Andrea Dúll gave a lecture on the psychological effects of the natural and built environments, as well as on the relationship between psychology and sustainability. Nguyen Luu Lan Anh presented the cross-cultural and psychological aspects of helping behaviour, whilst Orsolya Endrődy spoke about the links between art and interculturalism in childhood. Pálma Farkas outlined the educational practices of the two universities aimed at facilitating a more effective intercultural transition.
During the visit, PhD students from Hiroshima University, CMU and ELTE took part in a joint workshop. The programme forms part of a doctoral collaboration that has been developing for several years, within the framework of which monthly online PhD seminars are organised to share research findings and experiences.
The ELTE PPK delegation also met with staff members who support international mobility, as well as the university’s “ambassadors”. At the event, Orsolya Endrődy spoke about Erasmus partnerships, ELTE, and the history and future plans for cooperation between the two institutions. The partnership has gained fresh momentum with the next round of the ICM programme: thanks to Chiang Mai University’s successful application, funding for student mobility between the two institutions is secured until 2029.
