On Thursday, thousands of international academics and education administrators will gather at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre for the WUPS opening. The event will run for three days.

The participants will discuss key issues related to the future of higher education, with the main theme this year being "Reflections on Diversity and Harmonisation".

Pavich Tongroach, secretary-general of the Commission on Higher Education and organising chairman, said participants would come from 80 countries, including Namibia, the Czech Republic, Sri Lanka and Fiji - countries Thailand has never had educational cooperation with.

"If any new ideas occur during discussions between the presidents of Thai and international universities, that would be very good because our presidents could adapt ideas to make concrete changes for their universities and students immediately," Pavich said.

Asst Professor Numyuth Song-thanapitak, head of Rajamangala University of Technology's Presidential Council, said the summit would be a chance for local university presidents to learn where they stand in the world and to improve management and curricula quality.

"This will make students feel that the boards really care and do not ignore them," Numyuth said.

"The summit will give opportunities for local universities to develop cooperation with international institutions for the benefit of students to be able to continue their studies or to do workshops or seminars there," he said.

Since terrorism had become an international issue, one of the themes of the summit was "Peace and Social Stability". Discussions would be focussing on conflict resolution and tolerance.

Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang said the sub-theme on terrorism was very much related to the problems in the south of Thailand. It would provide "a guideline for us in developing lessons to solve the violence in the south", he said.

Dr Chirayu Isarangkun na Ayuthaya, director of the Crown Property Bureau, will deliver a keynote address on "Sufficiency Economy and Higher Education" to mark the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession.

"Education means development and using knowledge for the happiness of all mankind. However, though globalisation has helped spread useful knowledge, the world still faces many problems such as poverty, conflict of interest and the environment," said Chirayu, a former dean of the School of Development Economics at the National Institute of Development of Administration.

"Representatives from high-level institutions should be informed of our King's philosophy, which will lead to the sustainability of all resources."

Pavich said the discussion on a sufficiency economy might offer solutions in regard to education budgets. "There is disagreement now between a group of people who believe education should be provided as part of state welfare and others who believe learners should be responsible for what they study."

Watchara Saengsrisin

The Nation