Page 84 - AEI Insights Vol. 7 2021

AEI Insights, Vol 7, Issue 1, 2021

future for new generations of researchers. Additionally, it has the benefit of feeding back into
improving the activity and performance level of an individual as they learn, reciprocally, from
those around them. Providing research seminars that could enhance the research knowledge
and capacity is another avenue.

Conclusions
The purpose of this ToT programme was to empower Laotian academics with the necessary
research knowledge and skills in conducting English language teaching (ELT) and education-
based research. Trained academics may become potential leaders/trainers at their respective
institutions and can continue similar capacity building activities in a sustainable approach at
the local context through knowledge sharing, training and skill development programmes. By
engaging these participants in research discussions, we can develop a better understanding
about the challenges and issues faced by the academic community in Laos in particular on ELT
and their research needs in higher education. Thus, this exchange will facilitate the exploration
for strategic sites/areas of cooperation between the nations for academic and higher education
development in the ASEAN region. Another UM-led regional and inter-regional endeavour in
education that runs from 2017 to 2020 is an Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education
project ‘Building Social Research Capacity in Higher Institutions in Lao PDR and Malaysia’
(BRECIL). This project aims to build research capacities in Laos universities, enhance research
governance in Malaysia and Lao PDR and innovate new research developments through ICT
technologies. At the end of the BRECIL project, Lao PDR research capacity is expected to be
enhanced as it builds on the Lao National education goals as stated in their National Education
law. As for Malaysia, there will be intra ASEAN mobility for researchers and it is clear that
the project has goals and aims to fulfil specific actions stated in the "Kuala Lumpur Declaration
on Higher Education".

References
Hashim, A., Yee Chee Leong and Aliyyah Nuha Faiqah Azman Firdaus. (2018). Empowering
the Academic Community with Knowledge Skills in ELT and Education-Based Research:
Capacity Building in Selected Public and Private Higher Institutions in Cambodia/Laos. In:
Shukran Abdul Rahman and Munir Shuib (eds.) Success Stories of Malaysia’s Global
Reach and CLMV Programme. Kuala Lumpur: IIUM Press.

Muborakshoeva, M. (2015). Impediments to enhancing research within universities in
developing context: the case of Pakistani universities. Journal of International and
Comparative Education, 4 (1), 1-13.

Graddol, D. (1997). The Future of English: A Guide to Forecasting the Popularity of the
English language in the 21st Century. London: The British Council.
Kirkpatrick, A. (2010). English as a Lingua Franca in ASEAN: A Multilingual Model.
HongKong: Hong Kong University Press.

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