Celebrating 20 Years
This updated announcement is to inform you that the GCF Thailand Campuses’ web pages have begun being published. We invite you to review recent postings as the Thailand campus participants reflect on what they have created and sustained for 20-plus years. Enjoy these recent postings about Global Campus Chiangmai, highlighting their amazing story. Thank you!
Global Campuses Foundation enthusiastically announces the 20th Anniversary of Global Campus Chiangmai, located in Thailand, Southeast Asia. The foundation's 1st campus was created to pilot GCF’s Global Campus Educational Model.
Southeast Asia Campuses
‘Lifelong Learning’ This is new thinking for new normal to everyone, even by those who are differently abled.
— Non, Director,
Global Campus Chiang Mai, Thailand
Introduction
The following recent additions to our web page about the educational activities conducted by Global Campus Chiangmai and affiliate campuses in Northern Thailand are being shared to update the reader’s awareness of their significant successes. Included are two short reports of campus activities throughout 2022, and a pictorial review of the 20 year history of Global Campus Chiangmai with the supportive collaboration of Global Campuses Foundation. The foundation is profoundly impressed with all that they have created and accomplished as the creators, stewards, and administrators of their campuses throughout the past two decades. We hope you both enjoy this update and celebrate the significance of how the Global Campus leadership and campus participants have personally improved their quality of life and have professionally impacted themselves along with Thai society with respect to Disability Issues and Disability Culture.
GCF 20-year Pictorial Review
Location of Southeast Asia Campuses
“A variety of people provide more uniqueness. Disability is not right or wrong. It's just some things are different like some people are white, black, yellow. Some tall, some small. Blue eyes, brown hair etc. So, disability is just a variedness of normal things on this earth. Understanding will give people more connection and seeing deeply inside of all mankind is valuable and beautiful in the way they are.”
— KA, REGIONAL DIRECTOR,
GLOBAL CAMPUS SOUTHEAST ASIA
HISTORY OVERVIEW
Global Campus Chiang Mai Thailand (GCC) began as a gathering of adults with disabilities who shared common needs, challenges, hopes and dreams. The Demonstration Campus of Global Campuses Foundation formally started in July 2002. GCC is led entirely by people with disabilities. They serve as administrators, faculty, students, and field outreach staff. Now in its eighteenth academic year, the educational programs, field work and community outreach has significantly evolved. The success of the program has reached beyond Thailand’s northern provincial borders.
DISABILITY PRIDE AND CELEBRATION OF ABILITY
The initial courses organized by GCC centered on day-to-day skills and workforce training such as sewing, electronics, computer skills, and more. As campus participants grew in self awareness, the curriculum theme evolved to disability pride and celebration of ability, confidence, and stewardship skills. Campus members soon carried this principle into the greater Chiang Mai area. Actively engaging in community service, they began to assess and address issues of access, and other human rights vital to the disability community.
THAI COLLEAGUES
Kachakorn Thaveesri (Ka)
GCF Regional Director: Southeast Asia
Kachakorn is a founding core group member of Global Campus Chiang Mai who became the Director when it began in July 2002. She readily evolved as a strong natural leader well known for her successful counseling and facilitating skills. She loves to encourage the sharing of stories, dreams and learning experiences amongst everyone she meets. In 2009, Ka became the GCF Regional Director for Southeast Asia where she oversees campus development in Thailand and surrounding countries. Growing in confidence over the years, Ka has confirmed her belief in the power of higher education to enhance the lives of all people making the world a better place; a world of friendship, love, caring and peace. Ka loves her family, animals-especially dogs, and expressing herself through many forms of art. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in 2014 through Sukhothai Thammathiraj University.
Yutthaphon Damrongchuensakun (Non)
Director of Global Campus Chiang Mai, Thailand
Non is one of the founders of Global Campus Chiang Mai since its inception in 2002 as a GCF Demonstration Campus in Thailand. As a key administrator, Non works with campus participants to develop their campuses in Chiang Mai and in Northern Thailand. His work responsibilities reflect his passions and skills in media, finance, and networking while also actively involved in community service representing the voice of persons with disabilities as a member of local and regional committees and boards for medical/ health issues, labor concerns, and consumer protection. Non’s other interests include creative thinking and a love for learning about Lanna Culture (northern Thai culture) even though he was born in central Thailand. Non received his Bachelor of Public Administration (B.PA.)from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University.
Terdsak Sarapad-Jack
Director of Global Campus Nan, Thailand
Terdsak Sarapad (Jack) is the Director of Global Campus Nanoi, he is self-employed, and also works as an Ambassador/Director with Friendly Design Nan Province, a Thai company promoting universal design accessibility. Jack readily mentions that discovering Global Campuses was one of those big moments in his life where he learned to push harder and strive for more experiences in his life. Acting as a role model for others, he is most happy when encouraging campus peers to develop themselves and to learn from one another. Jack is married and manages his own electrical repair shop in his home town located on the border of Thailand and Laos. He is very proud of his passions to write lyrics, sing, and play guitar promoting happiness through his music.
