Page 77 - AEI Insights Vol. 7 2021

AEI-Insights: An International Journal of Asia-Europe Relations
ISSN: 2289-800X, Vol. 7, Issue 1, January 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37353/aei-insights.vol7.issue1.6

Case Study
COLLABORATIVE TRAINING IN RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: A
CASE OF MALAYSIA AND LAOS

3
1
Wah Yun Low 1,2* , Aliyyah Nuha Faiqah Azman Firdaus , Azirah Hashim , Bouasavanh
4
Keovilay , Vong Deuan Osay , Bounthieng Vongsouangtham , Latsanyphone Soulignavong
6
7
5

1 Asia-Europe Institute, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2 Centre for ASEAN Regionalism, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3 Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
4 Ministry of Education and Sports, Vientiane, Lao PDR
6 International Relations Office, Souphanouvong University, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR
7 Faculty of Letters, National University of Laos, Vientiane, Lao PDR

* Corresponding author: lowwy@um.edu.my

Abstract

One important aspect of the ASEAN vision is that ASEAN countries strive for equitable
economic development and therefore concerted efforts must be made to narrow the
development gap between ASEAN countries. This is prioritised in the Initiative for ASEAN
Integration which outlines several activities that are designed to assist CLMV countries achieve
deeper regional integration while supporting national development priorities and inclusive
development. While there has been improvement, there is still significant variance in
development achievements. The gaps are wide not only in achievements in income but also in
education and health outcomes. This case study provides a description of a Malaysian and Lao
collaboration in English language and research methodology training and the challenges faced
in doing social science research among Lao academics. The collaboration addresses the
developmental divide through knowledge exchange, engagement and collaboration, and
capacity building in development between the parties involved.
Keywords: research, Laos, Malaysia, capacity building, training

Introduction
This case study is based on a collaborative project in 2015-2017 between the Asia-Europe
Institute, Universiti Malaya and two universities in Laos, the National University of Laos, and
Souphanouvong University. The project aimed to strengthen collaboration between Malaysia
and Lao academics as well as meet the goals of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and
the ASEAN University Network (AUN) for academics in Laos to be highly educated and
skilled people for social and economic development of their country. The objective was to
develop a Training of Trainers (ToT) programme for English Language Education and
Research which can be used effectively by Lao academics. A training programme that met
these needs was developed and used in their institutions to test the effectiveness of this
programme in order to improve it further.
Laos is one of the last few members to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) in the late 1990s and is among those who are ‘chasing their neighbours’ and have

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