CHIANG MAI (THAILAND), June 2015 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) joined hands with Chiang Mai University (CMU) to donate English educational books to four schools in Thailand that are involved in community health programmes at the Saraphi Hospital here recently.

USM’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Community Network) Professor Dato’ Dr. Susie See Ching Mey said the donation was another joint community engagement initiative carried out by USM and CMU, where both universities are Asia-Pacific University-Community Engagement Network (APUCEN) member institutions.

 

“The four schools that benefited from this project were Wat Tha Ton Kwao School, Wat Weruwan School, Sarapeepittayakom School dan Sridonchai Municipality School, all of which are special schools that focuses on moral development in Saraphi district.

“Saraphi Hospital has been adopted by Chiang Mai University as its university-community engagement project that involves numerous parties including the villagers, district head, government and industry,” she added.

 

The books were handed over to the school representatives by the Vice-President of APUCEN, Dr. Takeshi Matsuda on behalf of APUCEN President Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman.

Susie See also said Chiang Mai University is currently conducting research to develop a realtime system that will enable the local residents especially those from low-income neighbourhoods in Saraphi to get better, quicker and more efficient health services in Saraphi Hospital.

"This project seeks to improve the quality of health services to the local communities and it is hoped that through the donation of the English books, USM can help improve the English language proficiency among the youngsters and students there so that they can improve their reading skills, widen their knowledge and develop a global mindset," she added. 

"Furthermore, this noble effort is also in line with USM’s aspiration and aim to combine campus learning and community learning to encourage the transfer of knowledge and two-way learning among students." - Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe