Navamindradhiraj University prepares city planners of the future

Navamindradhiraj University prepares city planners of the future

Hands-on work experience is par for the course

Navamindradhiraj University is working with Team Group of Companies to provide a specialised urban planning education programme to students, which includes a practical work component. (Photo courtesy of Team Group of Companies)
Navamindradhiraj University is working with Team Group of Companies to provide a specialised urban planning education programme to students, which includes a practical work component. (Photo courtesy of Team Group of Companies)

Knowledge is important for a student. But Bhichit Rattakul, rector of Navamindradhiraj University, knows very well that first-hand experience will better equip his students in their future careers.

"A field trip to a site is great for students as they will be allowed to observe activities in action and understand aspects of the job and the skills required to work successfully in an industry," said Mr Bhichit, hoping they will also learn about the complete range of tools and equipment at a work site.

Navamindradhiraj University has joined forces with a private company to develop an urban planning and development programme in a bid to produce quality city planners.

The programme, run by Navamindradhiraj University, is unlike any other, its rector noted.

It is meant to produce students who will be able to apply the knowledge gained from their studies to manage a city's problems, including the public transport system, traffic congestion and floods.

Established in November 2010, Navamindradhiraj University focuses on urban planning education that provides crucial knowledge for sustainable city planning and development.

The university, originally named the University of Bangkok Metropolis, was founded under the University of Bangkok Metropolis Act passed earlier the same year.

Urban planning and development can be an exciting programme for students who want to interact with people, the natural environment and structures, said Mr Bhichit, also a former Bangkok governor.

Students will learn about urban trends, and why and how cities change, and will analyse these changes and find ways to improve cities with more effective city planning, he added.

The course provides a wide range of learning opportunities, from classroom studies to workshops, and from practical projects to field visits which are key elements of the programme, according to the rector.

Initiated by another former Bangkok governor, Samak Sundaravej, this university programme which focuses on providing urban planning education, finally came into existence when it opened under the administration of governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra.

Earlier, BMA Medical College and Vajira Hospital; and Kuakarun College of Nursing were supervised by the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority's (BMA) Medical Department.

The two medical schools were then merged following the adoption of the University of Bangkok Metropolis Act 2010.

According the rector, Navamindradhiraj University now has four faculties: the Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital; the Faculty of Kuakarun Nursing; the Institute of Metropolitan Development; and the Urban Community College of Bangkok.

The university needed teachers and professionals with skills and knowledge on city planning and development, including public transport, drainage systems, and traffic to pass on their expertise.

"This is the reason why we need to collaborate with state agencies, institutes and companies whose personnel can train our students," Mr Bhichit said.

The university signed a memorandum of understanding with Team Group of Companies, a consultancy firm, on April 28, to produce students who have the specific skills and expertise required by cities, specifically urban planning and development.

Under the agreement, the company will send experts in particular areas to teach and train students and to develop their skills. Students will also be allowed to observe work being undertaken by the company at various sites.

The rector said the university chose to work with the company because it has experts in several fields, notably public transport and drainage. Team Group's staff also have numerous years of practical experience and are involved in high-profile projects across the country.

"It will give students a chance to work with professional practitioners who can help them develop professional competencies that will be useful for their future careers," Mr Bhichit said.

Students who enrol in the city planning and development course are also given a chance to work with authorities from state agencies and experts and practitioners from private companies whose work environments are different, he said.

So far, the university has worked with authorities at the BMA including the Department of Drainage and Sewerage, Traffic and Transportation Department, Department of Public Works and Krungthep Tanakom Co.

It has also joined hands with the Department of Highways, State Railway of Thailand, Expressway Authority of Thailand, government and private hospitals and King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang.

In working with state agencies, students will be dealing with public officials and understanding the importance of creating their plans to come in line with the state's policies and administration; to abide by the city's laws and regulations and to work within the approved budget. They will also learn about the city's history, statistics and land use, he said.

In contrast, by working in a smaller group at a private company, students will be in a different work environment, communicating and dealing effectively with colleagues in meeting a project's set deadlines. They will have a chance to gain from a wide range of practical experiences and will also develop their skills by working as an integral part of a team, he added.

Lertluksna Yodavudh, from Team Group of Companies, said her company decided to join with the university in developing the programme as it realised that urban planning and development is a broad and interdisciplinary field that requires cooperation from many parties to accomplish its missions.

"The city needs people who are able to fully understand the particular problems it has. We need to seek partners. We need to build a network of experts and professional practitioners to promote sustainable urban planning and development," she said.

Team Group of Companies is an engineering and environmental consultancy. It also provides regional, city planning, and development consulting services. The company has more than 1,500 experts and practitioners in several fields who have engaged in more than 2,500 state-run and private projects.

"We are glad to play a part in helping students develop their expertise in an area in which they are interested. And we look forward to working with them [students] in the future after they have graduated," Ms Lertluksna said.

The university and the company intend to join forces to develop a curriculum for an urban development programme, Mr Bhichit said, and also plan to work closely on research and development on underground utility mapping. He said this method is instrumental in planning for infrastructure maintenance systems.

"This technique can help map utilities along the routes of proposed infrastructure projects," Mr Bhichit said.

In the future, Navamindradhiraj University will act as a go-between for members of the public and state authorities. The university will provide information on government projects to the public, locals' concerns about the projects as well as their demands and advice," Mr Bhichit said, citing disputes over state-run projects.

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