The first UMAP research-Net workshop: implementing strategies for establishing a long-lasting research partnership in the Lower Mekong River Basin

From 26 to 28 October 2009, Walai Rukhavej Botanical Research Institute of Mahasarakham University hosted the first UMAP Research-Net workshop. The workshop was organized with a round-table discussion with participating researchers from three oversea universities: Sultan Idris, University of Education (UPSI), Malaysia, Center for Irrigation, Land and Water Resources, and Development Studies, Andalas University (UNAND), Indonesia and Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry (HUAF), Vietnam.

The main goal of the workshop was to discuss the implementation strategies of UMAP research-Net project, which is being coordinated by Walai Rukhavej Botanical Research Institute, Mahasarakham University. The workshop was also aimed at paving a foundation for establishing a long-lasting research partnership among the URN members through conducting research highly relevant to monitoring biodiversity in the Lower Mekong River basin.

During the workshop, the host institute organized a field trip to Na Dun research station to show participating researchers on-going research activities and facilities within the premises of the research station. On the last day of the workshop, participating researchers finalized the implementing strategies and approved the future work plan of the research project. See the meeting schedule details attached.

Prior to the workshop, the office of the president, Mahasarakham University hosted a welcome meeting with the incoming participants. During the meeting, the president of Mahasarakham University Assistant Professor Dr. Supachai Samappito and the Vice President Associate Professor Dr. Preecha Prathepha (Research and Academic Affairs) welcomed the incoming participants from Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. Workshop participants responded with a self-introduction and discussed of future research collaborations through conducting biodiversity research and exchange programs.

Workshop schedule details can be found HERE.

Milestones of the workshop

The major outputs of a three-day UMAP research-Net workshop included the followings:

(1) All participating institutes have agreed that WRBRI of Mahasarakham University will coordinate the project and partner institutes will bear the responsibility of providing necessary inputs throughout the project implementation.

(2) All partner institutes have agreed to support the academic faculties and researchers to take up necessary roles in implementing the URN and developing meaningful and long-lasting network with their counterparts.

(3) A tentative work plan (2009-10) covering the following areas has been approved by the participating researchers.

1. Conducting collaborative research highly relevant to monitoring biodiversity of choice in the Lower Mekong River Basin
2. Setting up guidelines and frameworks that will lead to the establishment of exchange (students and staff) programs
3. Exchanging scientific information among partner universities
4. To maintain constant communication among participating researchers through several communication channels including e-mail, video conferences.
5. To disseminate this collaborative research partnership initiative among the networks of participating institutes

(4) Partner institutes have agreed to exchange scientific information related to conducting scientific research and share information related to funding sources for being able to conduct collaborative research highly relevant to monitoring biodiversity of choice in the Lower Mekong River basin.

(5) A Web site has been created on the institute’s side since September 2009. Walai Rukhavej Botanical Research Institute bears the responsibility to update the site from time to time with inputs from the partner institutes. Information related to the UMAP workshop, details of the participating institutes and on-going project activities are posted at http://www.walai.msu.ac.th:81/umap.

(6) All participating institutes have agreed that next UMAP research-Net meeting will be held only when expected outputs are in hand. It was also agreed that dates and venue of the workshop will be decided in a later date.

See more details about the outputs of the workshop HERE.