On 12 February 2024, Mr. Wattanawit Gajaseni, Deputy Director-General, Acting Director-General, Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), jointly presided over the opening ceremony for the Learning Center for Sustainable Development in Agriculture based on the Application of Sufficiency Economy Philosophy at the Integrated Vocational Education and Technical School Attapeu, together with Mr. Nouphan Outsa, Director-General of Vocational Education Department and also visited the learning stations to get briefing on the implementation progress of learning stations from students and teachers

Furthermore, both sides also had planted trees as an official opening of the learning center, together with Mr.Pornnarong Vorrasilp, Director of Northeastern Vocational Institute of Agricultural, Mr. Phanthavong Bouthasavong, Deputy-Director General of Asia Pacific and Africa Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR, Mr.Oudomsin Sisanon, Director the Department of Education and Sport Attapeu, and the representative of Royal Thai Embassy, Vientiane, including the Thai and Laos officials.

Additionally, both sides attended the Project Steering Committee (PSC) for the Development Project on the Establishment of the Learning Center for Sustainable Development in Agriculture based on the Application of Sufficiency Economy Philosophy at the Integrated Vocational Education and Technical School Attapeu. The significant outcomes of the meeting include the updates of the progress of project implementation and discuss on the work plan and activities in 2024 which are expected to be completed and to hand over the project by September 2024.

The Thai Government attaches great importance on the Project, amomg others, to implement the Thailand’s 20-Year National Strategy and Foreign Affairs Masterplan. TICA and Northeastern Vocational Institute of Agricultural have supported the establishment of the Learning Center, with the implementation period of 5 years (2020 – 2024), by providing new basic infrastructure for 20 learning stations, training courses, and study visits for school officials (executives, teachers, and students) to enhance its capacity to manage the Learning Center and skills in agriculture and Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. Moreover, this Learning Center could be a model for farmers and communities nearby districts.