Samrit Yossomsakdi, Thailand

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Dean, Faculty of Political Science and Law, Burapha University
Public Policy Program (’88/’90)

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What is your area of specialization and how did you come to work in this area?

My main interests cover the area of public administration, public policy, and higher education administration. I started my career at the Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce, in 1978. As Commercial Technical Officer I had to deal with various policy issues. In 1992, I moved from the ministry to higher education and was appointed as Department Head of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science of Burapha University. Burapha University, meaning “University of the East”, is one of Thailand’s major public universities, located around 100 kilometers east of Bangkok. In my capacity as Department Head I was involved in policy- and decision-making and have since developed a h4 interest in policy issues in higher education.

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You started your career in the Thai Civil Service but then switched to academia. What triggered your career switch and what attracts you most about academia?

It had been my long desire and personal interest to work for a public university in Thailand, but in the past it was really difficult. About 20 years ago, the Thai government began to expand educational opportunities for Thai people by establishing new, and upgrading existing public higher learning institutions around the country. Since these institutions had the status of “government universities”, similar to those of other government offices, it became possible to switch from the ministry to the university without losing the status of government officer.

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Being a scholar enables me to explore what I want to learn and to disseminate my knowledge to the young generation. I would also have more free time to do what I want to do and do not confine myself to a routine job.

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You were recently appointed as Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and Law of the Burapha University. What is your mission and what do you see as the main challenges over the course of the next five to ten years?

The Faculty of Political Science and Law is a new faculty that was established when Burapha University became autonomous in early 2008. The transition from national to autonomous university was part of a national higher education reform program that the Thai government launched a few years ago and resulted in the restructuring of various divisions and faculties and hence the establishment of our new faculty.

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The faculty’s academic jurisdiction covers three academic disciplines including political science, public administration, and law. My first mission is to expand the education opportunities to Thai people in the Eastern region of Thailand. We are now offering eight Bachelor’s and three Master’s degree programs.

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All these eleven degree programs were launched during my headship of two departments (Political Science and Law respectively) since 2002. Now we have approximately 3,000 undergraduate students and 150 graduate students.

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My second mission is to upgrade the standard and quality of my faculty. As an educational provider it is important to upgrade the quality of our faculty members and staff. We now have seven faculty members holding a doctoral degree, and another seven currently pursuing their Ph.D. Most colleagues obtained their doctoral degrees from domestic universities. In fact, I am so far the only one who holds a Ph.D. from a foreign university (Northern Illinois University) though we currently have another three faculty members pursuing their degrees abroad. I wish all my colleagues would earn their doctoral degrees, either locally or abroad, in next five to ten years.

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One of your areas of interest seems higher education policies and the governance structure of Thai universities. What are the main issues, and what is needed to improve the governance structure of universities?

I have conducted my research on the governance structure of Thai higher education and higher educational policies at the national level. At the institutional level, I am familiar with internal administration of my university due to my past and current involvements. After my doctoral graduation, I have been involved in the administration at all levels within my university. I was once a member of the University Council – the highest administrative body of the university – as the Chair of Faculty Senate Council and I have served as department head and now Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and Law. In those capacities I have built up a lot of experience.

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However, I really want to learn more about the governance structure of universities from international perspectives. I want to know how the governance structure of universities in different countries would allow administrators to operate their university affairs more flexibly or in more effective ways to cope with challenging situations.

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What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your work and what has been the most rewarding aspect of your career thus far?

My biggest challenge right now is to search for academic excellence for my faculty. I am encouraging my colleagues as well as my graduate students to pursue further studies and get doctoral degrees. I would attempt to provide them with academic, moral and financial support and am hopeful that some of our current graduate students will be prospective faculty members. With Burapha University being the biggest public university in this region, I have a clear vision to help establish the solid foundations for public administration, policy, and law in Eastern Thailand.

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How did your experience at GRIPS/GSPS inform your career?

Excellence! I am indebted to GSPS – GRIPS’ predecessor -since the experience of studying and living in Japan has enabled me to do what I want to do in my life and my career. I have always placed high value on global perspectives, the integration among science & technology, methodology, and policy and my studies at GSPS has provided me with the skills and insights to see things in such broader perspective.

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What was the most important thing you learned while here?

The most important thing I learned from my two years in Japan was the experience of being exposed to Japanese life and (academic) culture under real contexts. That has been really beneficial to developments in both, my personal life and academic discipline.

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Did the, perhaps more lucrative, private sector ever hold any appeal for you?

I have never intended to work for private sector. Since I have very much a “public mind” and am most willing to devote myself to the good cause, I chose to study political science in order to work for public sector. It’s been rewarding so I have no regrets.

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If you could choose another profession to be in, what would it be?

None

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What is your fondest memory of your time spent at GRIPS/GSPS?

I made a lot of friends both Japanese and foreign students during my stay at GSPS, and we still keep in touch. I recently visited Japan, for the first time since my graduation almost twenty years ago. As soon as my Japanese friends learned about my visit they invited me for a reunion and we had a wonderful dinner party

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What do you miss about Japan?

Feelings and friends.

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What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

I enjoy reading a variety of books and watching television, especially domestic and world news.

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How do you maintain a balance between your work and the rest of your life?

Fortunately, I enjoy my work a lot so maintaining the balance is not such a big issue. If I have free time, I would like to travel to some other parts of the world where I have never been. My wife and I have no children so that makes it relatively easy for us to do so.

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What advice would you give to current GRIPS students?

Try to enjoy your life while you are studying at GRIPS. However, keep up your responsibility.