Engagement Details
ENCP 440: Sustainable Development in Engineering
What to Expect
Study Abroad Location:
Bangkok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chanthaburi, Ayutthaya, Tak, and Chiang Mai, Thailand
Program Dates:
5/8/24-5/24/24
Course Description:
The objective of this course is for students to better appreciate the political, social, technical, and economic issues that Thailand faces as they develop their economy in a more sustainable way. During this 15 days Maymester course, students will visit and study a variety of development projects throughout Thailand funded by the Royal Family.
Projects of particular interest will focus on either water resources, agriculture, and/or the environment. Development of water sources for cultivation or irrigation is important and beneficial for the majority of the country’s population in that it enables them to produce crops all the year round. At present, most of the cultivated land in every region of the country is outside irrigated areas. They rely mainly on rainwater and water from natural sources. As a result, crop production has to suffer from irregular water supply and fluctuations of rainfall which cannot serve the needs of the crops.
Development of agriculture involves research and experimentation of new plant varieties including economic plants such as mulberry and para rubber, plants for soil improvement and herbal plants; study of insects and pests; as well as development of livestock such as cattle, goat, and sheep, including fish and poultry. The principle is that the promoted knowledge and technology should be simple, inexpensive and applicable for farmers. Significantly, they must be suitable for the social and environmental conditions of the local areas.
Finally, environmental issues are as important as the development problem which exists in every country in the world. The more the country is developed, the more the environmental deterioration and pollution accumulate and increase in intensity. Thailand faces this problem because the past economic policies emphasized economic growth whereby the natural resources were used without appropriate planning and management. Consequently, the existing natural resources have been deteriorating. Most of the Royal Development Projects concern replenishment and improvement of the natural resources and the environment such as development and conservation of soil, water and forest.
The course will be held in various locations in Thailand, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chacheongsao, Phetchaburi, etc. Portions of the course will be hosted at the Office of Royal Developments Study Centers and Chiang Mai University. Planned highlights of the trip include tours of the Grand Palace, Chao-Praya River cruise, Floating Market, Bhumibol Dam, Elephant Nature Park, Doi Inthanon National Park (the highest peak in Thailand), and Cultural and Historical events include Historic City of Ayutthaya, Authentic Hill Tribe Villages.
Term: Summer
Participation Instructions: See program requirements to determine student eligibility.