Bangkok--6 Sep--Kanokrat and Friends
Three Stamford student leaders, Mr. Philip Songkran Upton, Ms. Oomjit Buangam (Sine) and Ms. Suchanart Preecha (Sushi) were given the opportunity by the university to build on their internationalized education by attending the 13th conference hosted by The Asia Pacific Student Services Association (APSSA) held the week of July 5th, 2012, on the topic of Global Citizenship: Challenges, Opportunities and Responses in Manila.
The conference focused on the challenge of global citizenship in the realm of student affairs; namely, the evolving culture and philosophy of student affairs, student learning and leadership development in a globalized world, environmental realities and inter-generational responsibility and intercultural competencies.
“At the conference, we had the opportunity to learn from some of the world’s foremost experts on a range of topics related to the importance of an internationalized education, especially as it relates to the environment and social responsibility,” Mr. Philip Songkran Upton, President of Stamford’s Student Services Organization (SSO) and second year Hospitality and Tourism Management Major noted. He went on to add that the three top issues facing the world right now are, “lack of education, a lack of cultural understanding, and environmental issues. “
“There were around 60 students from eight countries and we got to interact with people from the Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan and a number of other nationalities to discuss ways that we might address these issues collectively,” Ms. Oomjit Buangam stated. “As we’ve learned at Stamford, and what the conference reinforced is that we are all global citizens and that a truly internationalized education isn’t just about learning another culture; it’s about accepting it so that you’re prepared to work with people from all over the world in solving global issues like these.”
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity that Stamford International University and Laureate International Universities Network gave us — they supported us in attending this conference,” said Ms. Suchanart Preecha (Sushi), Stamford’s SSO Secretary, who is working toward a dual major in International Business Management and Accounting. “This wasn’t just for us, as student leaders. All three of us will use what we learned and spread the opportunities, information and experience to others as well. ”
Stamford sponsored the students participation in an effort to provide greater exposure and internationalism , as APSSA’s mission is to enhance cultural understanding and develop inter-cultural skills among members; foster cooperation among members in the development of student affairs work and student services in the region; assist in the development of student affairs work and to strengthen its role in the development of tertiary education in the region, and promote the welfare of students in tertiary education.
All three student leaders added that the conference motivated them to plan and implement as big Stamford CSR project, whereby widening their sphere of influence even further. “At Stamford, we really are part of a larger, global network, but at the same time this conference inspired us to do something local to help our community.”
As the APSSA International Conference organizers pointed out, “with the widening and deepening of worldwide interconnectedness, there is reconfiguration of citizen's social space which strongly influences identity and community. As the nature of the society's map changes, then its elements -- culture, politics and social psychology --- also transform. One important lens to view this changing environment is global citizenship.”
Stamford International University is the member of Laureate International Universities. As a member of the global network of more than 60 institutions in 29 countries serving more than 675,000 students, Stamford has access to global teaching and learning resources, giving students study abroad and dual degree opportunities. For more information about Stamford, call 02-769-4000