Tura(Meghalaya), May 25: A Meghalaya-Thailand academic team is betting on design thinking and stronger teacher support to fix struggling tribal schools.
Captain Williamson Sangma State University and Payap University, Chiang Mai, wrapped a two-day online workshop May 21–22 on “Human Resource Development and Design Thinking for School Improvement in Tribal and Rural Contexts.”
Forty-one MA Education students and faculty joined in-person at CWSSU’s Tura campus while experts beamed in. Sessions zeroed in on teacher shortages, poor resources, and language barriers hitting remote classrooms.
Dr. Brian Perkins of Columbia University pushed student-centered school reform. Dr. Oliver “Ozzie” Crocco of LSU and speaker Addy stressed HR fixes — backing teachers, growing leaders, and boosting training in tough zones.
“Discussions matched our ground reality,” participants said.
CWSSU VC Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakumar opened the event, pitching global links for local gains. Payap’s Dean Dr. Patchara said shared lessons can reshape rural education.
Coordinators Dr. Geetam Chetry, Dr. Kanika Das, Deiborme Lyngdoh of CWSSU and Dr. Chiche of Payap plan joint research, faculty swaps, and deeper South-Southeast Asia ties on tribal education.
