During 15 – 17 November 2016, Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Sufficiency School Center, Foundation of Virtuous Youth (FVY) organized the study visit on Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy (SEP) in Thailand Education for H.E. Mr. Serigne Mbaye Thiam, Minister of Education and Mrs. Khady Diop, Director-General of The Basic Education Department of the Republic of Senegal. The Minister of Education had visited the Royal Development Projects, the Royal Chitralada Projects, Pra Dabos School Project, and Kao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center in Chachoengsao Province, including the schools which apply the SEP in teaching and learning process such as Sri Wichai Wittaya School (secondary school) in Nakhon Pathom Province and Ban Nong Yai School (primary school) in Chacheongsao Province.
In addition, the Minister of Education had visited Sampran Riverside Hotel in Nakorn Pathom Province. Mr. Arrut Navarat, the Managing Director of Sampan Riverside Hotel, has briefed on “Sampan Model: Sustainability through Organic Value Chain Development Based on Sufficiency Economy Philosophy”, and took him around Thai Village to see “Living the Thai Culture” such as Silk processing, traditional pottery, Thai kitchen, rice farming, and Thai boxing.
The Minister of Education suggested that His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s works are not only for Thai people but also for people in other countries. He has impressed with SEP applied in both formal and non-formal education, and he would like to apply SEP in Senegal. He also mentioned that Thailand should promote and share its best practice to other countries.
After the visit in Thailand, he will select 7 schools in Senegal to apply the model of SEP and may invite Thai experts to train Senegalese officials or send the Senegalese officials to train in Thailand. Moreover, he will propose this model to the responsible organizations to visit Pra Dabos School and Kao Hin Sorn Royal Development to apply in Senegal as well.