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Location:
The International College for Sustainability Studies has two offices: one at the ground floor HRH Princess Sirindhorn Research and Continuing Education Building and another at the International Relations Office, 4th floor, Office of The President Building. A building for the College is being planned for construction at the Prasarnmit campus, 114 Sukhumvit 23, Klongtoey Nue, Wattana, Bangkok 10110.

History:
The council of Srinakharinwirot University in meeting no. 6/2547 on 3rd September, 2004 agreed to the establishment of the International College for Sustainability Studies as an autonomous unit under the University. The College aims to provide education on the principles of sustainability. Therefore curricula provided by the College can be diverse given each one emphasizes fundamental knowledge and principles of sustainable development and management, for example Sustainable Tourism, Sustainable Environment, Multicultural Studies, Sustainable Management, Green Economy and Human Dignity.

The foundation for making the international curricula is, firstly, to be able to create a cooperative network with foreign scholars with similar perspectives and related work experience. Secondly, it is for the exchange of knowledge created in different cultures and through different experiences. Further it is to strengthen the educational provision of all the curricula in the College.



Vision:
The International College for Sustainability Studies strives to build an organization which plays an important role in maintaining the University as an academically robust institution on the principles of sustainability.

Philosophy:
Education creates graduates with knowledge cultivating wisdom for sustainable development.

Mission:
The International College for Sustainability Studies is determined to foster graduates with both academic quality and social responsibility. The College does so by emphasizing connections between teaching and research, and Thailand’s social and cultural context. In this ever-changing world, Thai society is experiencing the effects of globalization, thus education provision and knowledge building in academic institutions has to play a crucial part in maintaining the existence of Thai people and Thai society with total awareness and dignity in a world context. This has to be accomplished through respect for diverse cultures, peaceful living, and environmental protection.

Objectives:
The University aims to be able to expand its education provision through co-operation with high-quality academic institutions overseas as the College provides interdisciplinary curricula which combine the academic expertise of the University with appropriate curricula of overseas institutions which are relevant to the University’s policy.

Tasks:
  1. Provide education with multidisciplinary curricula at undergraduate, postgraduate, and graduate diploma levels with a philosophical connection with similar education institutions overseas
  2. Act as a mediator in coordination and facilitation for faculties, institutes, or divisions of SWU which have bilingual or international curriculum to be able to provide a high-quality and efficient education.
  3. Build research co-operation with foreign institutions by encouraging the exchange of researchers in order to create an exchange of knowledge and experience between academia.
  4. Deliver short training courses for academic service to both SWU’s members and the general public.
Organization structure:
The College is administered by the Board of the International College which makes education provision policy, directs operations, and controls the quality of the College. The Director of the College works under the supervision of the Board.

Apart from the Board, there is a College Committee to handle the College’s operations and ensure the provision of education as assigned by the Board.

The administration of each curriculum is handled by a Curriculum Committee which is responsible for curriculum development, education provision, and academic quality assurance. The Curriculum Committee comprises of a committee chairman, and a number of committee members who can come from the College’s faculty members, other faculties’ academic staff, and/or academic staff from collaborative foreign institutions.

The International College’s administration system is designed to be flexible and dynamic in collaboratively providing education with foreign institutions, for instance teaching in quarters or trimesters, or in a modular fomat where each course can be finished within one to two months. This enables guest and adjunct faculties to be invited from abroad for short-term teaching sessions. Moreover, the College has created a system of credit transfer between partner institutions.

Curriculum:
All curricula of the International College have collectively unique characteristics which are:
  1. A multidisciplinary approach incorporating social issues and emphasizing problem-based learning;
  2. Collaboration between SWU and overseas institutions in order to create the exchange of knowledge, skills, and experience, enabling students to benefit from overseas institutions; and
  3. A sustainable development foundation, making learners aware of the importance of ecosystems and ethics of living together.
Overseas Collaboration Strategies:
The College has had collaborations with partner academic institutions in other countries to develop curricula and faculty capacity for readily presenting English language education. In addition, it gives opportunities for both faculty and students at all levels to gain more experience and knowledge. There are three projects.
  1. Faculty/Staff Development Project

    • Faculty and Staff Training Abroad Program
      This program sends faculty and staff on short training programs or short courses at partner institutions in order that they acquire new knowledge and techniques related to the College’ s curricula and responsibilities, for example ecosystems, sustainable development, biodiversity and problem-based learning technology.

    • In-service Training Program
      Experts and specialists in associated disciplines from both Thailand and abroad are invited to give training and lectures for faculty and staff of the College.

    • Post-Doctoral Training Program
      This program promotes and supports faculty members who recently receive a doctoral degree, especially those gaining their degree in Thailand, to work or do research in partner institutions overseas.

    • Research Fellowship Program
      This program promotes and supports the College’s faculty members doing collaborative research with faculty members from partner institutions abroad. It encourages the exchange of research experiences between Thai and foreign scholars. Additionally the program fosters knowledge creation which combines a Thai perspective and context with a foreign perspective and context.

    2.
  2. Student Development Project

    • Credit Transfer Program
      Students in the College’s programs who possess the required level of English language skills can choose to enroll in some courses at overseas partner institutions, and are able to transfer the credits gained overseas back to SWU. At the same time, students from partner institutions can choose to follow a similar scheme in reverse.

    • Summer Study/Training Program
      This program gives students opportunities to study abroad at a partner institution during a summer semester. Students profit from the knowledge and experience obtained while learning in a different environment. This however cannot be transferred back to SWU as credits, but may be counted as a part of a course registered at the College.

    • Overseas Practicum
      Students enrolling in a College’s program have opportunities to carry out their compulsory practicum at an overseas partner institution. Students who would like to join the program have to possess qualifications which meet partner institution’s standards.

    • Student Exchange/Semester Abroad/Academic Year Abroad Program
      This is a means for the exchange of students between the College and partner institutions through mutual agreements between the parties. The program expands the channels open for students wishing to study abroad.

  3. Curriculum Development Project
    The International College, by means of this project, fosters mutual partnerships with foreign academic institutions to develop international curricula at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels providing there is readiness and appropriateness for quality education. In the early stages, development of curricula granting degrees solely from SWU has been achieved. Then curriculum in the form of joint/split/dual degree program with partner universities is being planned.
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