Publications

Written by Mekong Institute

The participants indicated useful of the course modules including field visits and assignments. Program introduction allowed the facilitators and participans to introduc themselves and provided an overview of the learning program, and its methodology and process.

Module 1: Impact of Macro Enironmental Factors in Leardership in Mangement" introduced the participants to the broader context within which competitive enterprises operate and how the external environment influenced organizations, organizational cultures, organizational leadership and management.

Module 2: Leadership versus Management" presented general concepts on leadership and management.

Module 3: Performanace Base Management" covered the concepts of the Performance Management System. "Module 3B: Metrology and Applicaition" introduced the metrology and application tat relevant with different activites within legal metrology to leadership, planning and reporting.

"Module 4: Ethics, Social Responsibilit and Goernance n leadership" presented the importance of ethnics, social responsibiliy and goernance in leardership."Module 4b: Coaching as Strategies Mangement Tool" introduced an important 'Coaching" skill to the participants.

Module 5: Managing Competitive Enterprise

Module 6: Business Proposal Development" introduced a structured hand-on-training and practiced in developing business proposal, setting project screening criteria and simulated the role of project appraisal committee.

With regard to the duration of the course, objecives, and the resource presons, 82 percent of the participants indicated that 4 week duration of the program was appropriate, overall objective of te course was excellent, and the resource persons were good in helping them undrstand the program content.

With the lessons learned from the course and results from a range of evaluation methods, the learning program concludes that the learnin program is successful. However, recommendations are provided to identify pfurther cooperation, strengthen the network, provision of clear guidelines, and higher participation of women into the program.

Written by Mekong Institute

Written by Mekong Institute

The Mekong Institute was commissioned by the French Development Agendy (AFD) to conduc a ten-day training course on "Agriculture Sector Value Chain Analysis and Promotion" for fifteen government officials from Department of Irrigation, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR. The course aims at deeloping participants professional capacity and broadening their horizon on the features, usefulness and benefits Value Chain Approach to local, national and regional economic development, as well as practicing analysis of agricultural value chain development in the Laos context.

The training course was designed and delvered using modular training approac, of which all participants went through three progressive stages: a) "Learn to do"- training concepts, techniques and tools; b) "Do to learn"- participants are required to apply what they have learned in their work assignment with proper coaching from assigned advisors; and c) "Share to learn"- participants will have an opportunity to present their group works/finding and share their learning experiences and lessons learned.

There are five resource persons/subject experts who contributed to te design and delver of the lectures, workshops and strucutred learning visits, namely: Assoc Prof Nongluvk Suphanchaimar of Khon Kaen Unversity, Mr Sansnthi Bonyothayan of Sakon Nakon Provincial Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ms Anothai Nutasarin of Office of the Agriculture Extension and Deelopment (Region IV), Ms Rawinda Wattanakool of Science and Techonology Research Institute (STRI, Chaing Mai University , and Mr Wichit Hongkarnjanakul of Regional Irrigation Offce, Khon Kaen.

Seven structured learning visits were organized for the participants in this course; their understanding of the program's contents was enhanced through different appreciation visits and interacton with enterprises and group of villagers in Khon Kaen, Roi Et, Yasothon and Sakon Nakhon provinces.

The eveluations conducted throughout te course confirmed that the objectives were achieved and the learning program was successful. Most of the participants were very satisfied with the program as shown in the totla average rating on 1) satisfaction on structured learning visits and program design, and 2) impression of te program (4.4 and 4.5 respectiely, both are almost "excellent"). However, there were suggestions for imprvements, for example, more time for field visits, more interaction wth villagers by homestaying in their community, more detailed information on the background profiles and more involvement of participants from other sectors such as marketing.

Written by Mekong Institute

The Mekong Institute was commissioned by the Mekong River Commission (MRC) to conduct a regional training course on Integrated Water Resources Management for the Mekong from 20 to 31 July 2009 in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Eight young riparian professionals of the MRCs Junior Riparian Professional Project and four MI staff from Young Greater Mekong Sub-region Professional Program (YGMS) participated in this Learning Program. Among the twelve participants, only two were women.

The overall objective of the course is to provide the participants with knowledge and skills related to the IWRM in the context of Mekong Cooperation. At the end of this training course, the participants were expected to demonstrate their ability in applying IWRM principle and IWRM planning tools in their work and at the same time acquire three cross-cutting competencies: Communication skills, information management ability, and facilitation capabilities

The training program comprised of seven training modules:

Module 1: Introduction to IWRM and WRM Functions at the River Basin Scale
Module 2: Mekong Water and Peoples
Module 3: Development Potentials and Major Issues in Basin Planning in the Mekong River Basin
Module 4: Stakeholder Participation
Module 5: Basin Planning for Water Resources
Module 6: Using Indicators to Measure Progress and Performance
Module 7: The Role of Basin Planners and Core Competencies

All seven modules were delivered using a modular training approach, of which, all participants underwent three progressive learning stages: Learn to do, do to learn and share to learn. As part of this training program, a field study to Houi Sam Mo Sub-river Basin was organized for the participants to have first hand information on Integrated River Basin Planning and exposed to Thailand river basin organizational arrangement. This watershed was selected as a field site because it is a pilot project of MRC/GTZ Watershed Management Program and it is regarded as one of integrated river basin management models.

This learning program is proven very successful. This is evidenced by the results of pre and post training assessments and end-of-program evaluation. Participants expressed their appreciation for MI innovative training approaches, especially on the use of case studies, simulation exercises, videos, and field works as integral parts of their learning experience.

Written by Mekong Institute

Day 1:             Keynote Address and Setting the Context (Opening Remarks, Participant Familiarization, Exploring Expectation and Program Overview)

Day 2:             Visit Pro-poor Product Research Development Projects and Five-star SME OTOP at Royal Chitralada Projects and Aran-yik Knife Community

Day 3:             Visit Micro-finance at BAAC, OTOP Community by Sai Noi Womens Group and Local Learning Center on Sufficiency Economy by Ban Hae Community

Day 4:             Presentations of Reflection to the Visits, Synthesis and Learning Evaluation and Return to Home Countries

Over the four days of the program the MI program facilitators completely facilitated the learning visits.  The participants disclosed their feedback that the structure learning visit design in terms of knowledge gained, relevance and applicability to the job and meeting expectation were mostly attained(a total rating average 3.68%).

The participants evaluated that program service was very satisfied(a total rating average 4.55) in terms of material providing, time management and other logistic arrangement during the exposure visits.  With regard to overall satisfaction,  a total rating average 4.55 stated that program service was very satisfied.  Based on the participants feedback, this report concluded that the SLV on Area-based Development, Community Agribusiness, OTOP and SME Development was successful.

Written by Mekong Institute

The structured learning visit (SLV) program on Area-based Development, Community Agribusiness, OTOP and SME Development was organized from 25 to 28 November 2009 and the sponsor is InWEnt gGmbH - Capacity Building International, Germany in cooperation with Mekong Institute, Inter-governmental Organization.  The participants were District Governor, Manager and/or Chief level, Academic, Operating Officers/  Senior Trainers from government, non-government and private sector in the fields of capacity integration development from Cambodia and Lao PDR attended this learning visit program.

The SLV was designed to explore best practices of Thailand in pro-poor product research and development, five-star OTOP, Micro-finance and community business, SME Cluster and Community learning center on sufficiency economy through observation and interaction with community enterprise group, technical support organization, and community livelihood development project pioneers around the basket areas in the Central region of Thailand (Bangkok, Ayutthaya and Angthong Provinces).

The program consisted of four learning days:

Day 1:             Keynote Address and Setting the Context (Opening Remarks, Participant Familiarization, Exploring Expectation and Program Overview)

Day 2:             Visit Pro-poor Product Research Development Projects and Five-star SME OTOP at Royal Chitralada Projects and Aran-yik Knife Community

Day 3:             Visit Micro-finance at BAAC, OTOP Community by Sai Noi Womens Group and Local Learning Center on Sufficiency Economy by Ban Hae Community

Day 4:             Presentations of Reflection to the Visits, Synthesis and Learning Evaluation and Return to Home Countries

Over the four days of the program the MI program facilitators completely facilitated the learning visits.  The participants disclosed their feedback that the structure learning visit design in terms of knowledge gained, relevance and applicability to the job and meeting expectation were mostly attained(a total rating average 3.68%).

The participants evaluated that program service was very satisfied(a total rating average 4.55) in terms of material providing, time management and other logistic arrangement during the exposure visits.  With regard to overall satisfaction,  a total rating average 4.55 stated that program service was very satisfied.  Based on the participants feedback, this report concluded that the SLV on Area-based Development, Community Agribusiness, OTOP and SME Development was successful. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE TH

Written by Mekong Institute

The Mekong Institute (MI) was commissioned by the InWEnt gGmbH Capacity Building International, Germany to co-design, develop and deliver a series of capacity building program for InWEnt targeted groups of Cambodia and Lao PDR. One of the programs is Microfinance Learning Experience in Northeast of Thailand.

This program was organized for fifteen non-governmental organization officers and government officials of Lao PDR. The structured learning visits aimed for participants to study Thailand Microfinance and community banking and financing system and to study role of BAAC in supporting microfinance and community financial institutions (village banks, village revolving fund and community enterprises).

The evaluations conducted throughout the learning visits confirmed that the objectives were achieved and the learning visit was successful. Most of the participants were very satisfied with the program as shown in the total average rating on 1) satisfaction on structured learning visits design, 2) Mekong Institute services satisfaction, and 3) overall impressions on the structured learning visit.

Written by Mekong Institute

The Mekong Institute (MI) was commissioned by Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency (TICA) to conduct a four-week annual international training course on Enhancing Entrepreneurship in SME Development and Export Consortia from 20 July to 14 August 2009 for twenty-six government officials and private sector personnel of seventeen developing countries in Asia and Africa.

The course aimed to develop participants appreciation of the importance and significance - and complexity - of sustainable enterprise development in a regional and national context.  It sought to develop the capacity of participants to assess and consider more effective enterprise and private sector development strategies and activities in their own countries.

The training course was designed and delivered using modular training approach where participants went through three progressive stages : i) Learn to Do training on concepts, techniques and tools to be employed; ii) Do to Learn the participants were required to apply what they learned in their work assignments with proper coaching from assigned advisors; and iii) Share to Learn the participants had opportunity to present the results of their group work, learning experiences and lessons learned.

Nine external resource persons and two in-house subject experts were invited to deliver lectures and facilitate discussions, and share experiences to the participants.  Nine structured learning visits in Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Bangkok were conducted to enhance the participants understanding of the program contents and to apply the principles, process, structure, and stakeholders in planning and implementing business from the visits.

The training course comprised five inter-related modules. Module 1 Unleashing Entrepreneurship: Setting the Context allowed the facilitators and participants to introduce themselves and provided an overview of the learning program, methodology, and process. Module 2 The Essentials of Enterprise Development: Why and How presented experience of establishing enterprise Silk Net as well as simulation game on Business Strategy. Module 3 Ensuring Business Survival and Sustainable Growth covered the concepts of enabling environment such as business development and financial services, productivity and competitiveness, and value chains to strengthen the enterprise sector. Module 4 Managing Enterprises included study visits to enhance the participants understanding on the contents through observation and interaction with enterprises management teams. Module 5 Developing Cluster and Business-to-Business Networks (B2BNs) introduced the concepts and described key steps and suggested tools and methods for developing business clusters and networks.

The results from a range of evaluation methods showed high satisfaction rating by the participants. However, recommendations for improvement included providing more information on export consortia, SME policy and PPP, inviting guest speakers from senior management level, providing more case studies, and organizing discussion forum with local entrepreneurs.

Written by Mekong Institute

In conducting this structured learning visit, we have received help from many individuals. First, we would like to express our gratitude to all the participants who participated fully in this learning visit as well as to their public and private institutions for nominating and encouraging them.

We would like to thank InWents Capacity Building International, Germany for the financial support and also thank InWents local partners in Lao PDR for the co-designed this structured learning visit.

We grateful to our external resource person, Mr. Konesavanh Vongxay from Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Vientiane, for his valuable suggestions, support and guidance throughout the visit.

Finally, we would never have completed this learning visit successfully without the cooperation of the team member and other colleagues at Mekong Institute, for which we thank them sincerely.

Written by Mekong Institute

The Mekong Institute (MI) was commissioned by New Zealands International Aid and Development Agency (NZAID) and Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency (TICA) to conduct a four-week regional learning program on Managing Public Sector Reform from 19 October to 13 November 2009 for eighteen government officials of the Greater Mekong Sub-region countries.  The program aimed to acquaint participants with modern public administration concepts and administrative structures that promote better service delivery. It sought to improve participants knowledge and skills in leading and managing public sector reform and enhance their skills through sharing experience and lessons learned from selected public enterprises. The course also set out to promote communication, cooperation and trust among professionals across the GMS by encouraging participants to exchange experience on public sector reform and reform initiatives in the GMS.    

The learning program was designed and delivered using modular training approach where participants went through three progressive stages : i) Learn to Do training on concepts, techniques and tools to be employed; ii) Do to Learn the participants were required to apply what they learned in their work assignments with proper coaching from assigned advisors; and iii) Share to Learn the participants had opportunity to present the results of their group works and share their experiences and lessons learned.

Three external resource persons and three in-house subject experts were invited to deliver lectures and facilitate discussions, and share experiences with the participants. Five structured learning visits in the Khon Kaen Province of Northeastern of Thailand were organized to enhance the participants understanding of the contents and help them to apply the acquired knowledge into their works.

The learning program is comprised of four inter-related modules. Program overview Setting the context allowed the participants to explore their expectations, and acquaint with each other. It also provided an overview of the learning program, methodologies and process. Module 1 Understanding the Need for Reform introduced the concepts of public sector reform in general, and impact of globalization on GMS public sectors and importance of good governance in particular. Module 2 Managing Public Sector Reform covered different approaches of transforming public agencies and enterprises through restructuring, decentralization, corporation and privatization. Module 3 Sustaining Reform focused on several key areas of public sector reform, including decentralization, administrative reform, provision of services (outsourcing, one-stop-shops, public private partnerships) and privatization. The modules provided participants with insights on how to lead effective and sustainable change.

The results from a range of evaluation methods showed high satisfaction rating by the participants. However, recommendations for improvement included more time, more case studies and group activities especially for the sessions such as impact of globalization and leadership, and field visits for each module.