Thammasat rector gives vision for future

Thammasat rector gives vision for future

Alumni turned leader outlines school mission for a solution-based learning, writes Chairith Yonpiam

Thammasat University rector Gasinee Witoonchart says Thammasat University helps students deal with real-world challenges and equips them with the skills to handle them. Thammasat University
Thammasat University rector Gasinee Witoonchart says Thammasat University helps students deal with real-world challenges and equips them with the skills to handle them. Thammasat University

Thammasat University rector Gasinee Witoonchart has set a vision to create a university for the people and for the future, that will also build solutions to rising global challenges.

Under the leadership of Assoc Prof Gasinee, Thammasat University has risen as one of the major players fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.

A field hospital at the university is one of its initiatives widely recognised by the public. Since last year, medical staff and students from the university's hospital have set up and run a field hospital, with a capacity of over 300 beds at its Rangsit campus in Pathum Thani.

It provides access to coronavirus testing, treatment, and vaccination.

The university has also led many other initiatives and innovations, including the development of waterproof face masks and medical equipment delivery robots to assure the safety of medical staff working on the frontlines.

Having created solutions during the health crisis, Thammasat says it has demonstrated its vision for being a university "for the people" and "for the future".

Assoc Prof Gasi­- nee has put unwavering effort into making the vision a reality while encouraging the university's collaboration with multiple sectors and players to achieve this goal.

"The pandemic has revealed the uncertainties of the world that have forced many into a state of vulnerability. We are living with this uncertainty and will do for years to come. There are many challenges we need to tackle along the way, including inequality, an ageing society, depleting natural resources, and climate change," Assoc Prof Gasinee told the Bangkok Post.

"The university has a role in preparing students and people from across the spectrum for these challenges while equipping them with skills to handle this uncertainty and seize arising opportunities in the future market. We also have a role in building new leaders who can tackle these challenges, stay relevant and be part of solutions."

Having been Thammasat University's rector since 2017, Assoc Prof Gasinee has set three missions to realise the university's vision -- adopting innovation and new technology in the university's operation and teaching; building new leaders; maintaining Thammasat's spirit to serve the people and society, and translating this spirit into every study programme, course and activity.

These missions have been integrated into every aspect of the university, from its operational management, projects and initiatives, and research to campus life.

On the Thammasat Rangsit campus, which covers nearly 1,800 rai, electricity used in buildings is generated from solar panels reflecting the university's effort to tackle climate change. It is also building the largest urban rooftop farm in Asia, covering 22,000 square metres, as a place for students and the public to learn about climate resilience and food security, and is also a green public space for surrounding local communities.

The university has invested in research and development in numerous areas, including food processing, healthcare, artificial intelligence, and data analysis. Students have access to co-working spaces within the campus, which can serve more than 3,000 users, where they can share ideas and collaborate -- one of the skills required to be successful leaders.

Assoc Prof Gasinee said her motivation to reinvent Thammasat comes from her close ties with the university. She spent her student years at Thammasat Business School, where she obtained a bachelor's degree in business administration.

Then she completed her master's in business administration from the University of Texas, Austin, in the United States. She became a lecturer at Thammasat and Dean of Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy in the 1990s while advising companies and government offices.

"Thammasat is like my second home, and I want to improve this home to be a better place for everyone," she said.

While being the rector, she has refused to be paid. She has diverted all her salary to the university's emergency fund, which supports the work of Thammasat University Hospital, and is used to help staff and students affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

She believes the key to being a successful leader is to look inward to the university to find its strength and weakness while looking outward to international communities to find new solutions and know-how.

That is seen in her push to upgrade the course content, quality, and standards of Thammasat Business School, a goal she has pursued since her early days as the dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy. This goal is even more urgent today when the pandemic has disrupted businesses and the global economy.

"Business management in the post-pandemic world will change. There will be an emergence of new business models that accelerate growth and are resilient to the crisis. Traditional business models will not help companies survive. There will be new jobs, and there will be jobs that will disappear forever," said Assoc Prof Gasinee.

"Agility or the ability of an individual or an organisation to adapt and change quickly in an uncertain and rapidly changing world will be vital for future business success."

Thammasat University must be at the forefront to enhance this ability for individuals, organisations, and even society. We must provide lifelong learning opportunities to everyone, who can access new knowledge and skills everywhere and all the time."

The university has launched several online courses to up-skill and re-skill students, workers, and the public to adapt to volatile markets. It has also highlighted entrepreneurship skills and the adoption of technology and innovation in the business school.

Thammasat Business School has received accreditation from three well-known institutions; the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and the Association of MBAs (AMBA).

Assoc Prof Gasinee's commitment to improving Thammasat Business School has been recognised by international communities.

Last year, she was among 18 scholars selected for the EFMD Fellows who represent the leadership in global management education and the value of business schools. She is the one and only from Thailand and Southeast Asia.

The EFMD is an international not-for-profit association based in Belgium, with the most extensive network association in the field of management development.

Assoc Prof Gasinee believes that her Fellows award proves the high potential of Thammasat Business School as being a resource for global academics and university networks. She will also be a bridge that connects Thammasat and Thai universities to international experts to develop high-quality business courses and know-how.

In June, she was appointed to the EFMD board of trustees. She will take part in determining the organisation's policy and the criteria for evaluating business schools worldwide.

Her other roles include encouraging collaboration among EFMD institutional members and management development professionals across regions. She will also promote the integration of cross-disciplinary knowledge, competency-focused curricula, diversity and inclusion in management education, and support initiatives to create social innovations to resolve emerging global challenges.

"EFMD comprises members who are executives of private organisations and business schools around the world. This is a good chance for Thailand and Thammasat to improve collaboration with global networks and to build business leaders for the future," she said.

After being appointed, her first task is to organise an international conference for universities and private organisations to share best practices.

"I believe in the power of communication and knowledge sharing. Everyone has different experiences and opinions that can complement each other. Everyone has gone through struggles and challenges that have enabled lessons to be learned," she said.

"The more we communicate and share, the more we learn."

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