Penn State Lehigh Valley partners with higher education institution in Thailand

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — Last summer, Maung Min, director of business programs and associate teaching professor, business, at Penn State Lehigh Valley (PSU-LV) spent three weeks as a Fulbright Specialist at Thammasat University in Thailand. While there, Min served as a guest lecturer, was part of a university strategic management session, and gave a talk on sustainable business.

This spring, PSU-LV took an important step in establishing the relationship with that same university in Southeast Asia with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), a written agreement between two or more parties that outlines basic terms for an intended common line of action. In January, Tina Q. Richardson, chancellor of PSU-LV, took part in a virtual signing ceremony with administrators from Thammasat University. Min, whose work first started the affiliation with the university, was seated next to Richardson.

“I had a very good experience last August, and the university was interested in signing an MOU with us. Penn State was very open to it,” Min said. The discussions around developing and signing the MOU began in October; the dean from Thammasat suggested a virtual ceremonial signing.

Peter Ractham, dean of Pridi Banomyong International College, was the key MOU signatory for Thammasat. 

“This MOU covers the exchange of students, faculty and other activities, which will provide opportunities for both institutions to build more intensive cooperation in academic, research, and student affairs,” Ractham said.

The partnership between PSU-LV and Thammasat could go in many different directions, according to Min.

“There is the potential exchange of students, or an embedded course we could work on. Penn State students would have the opportunity to spend some time at Thammasat University, and students could collaborate on research projects,” Min said. “From a faculty and student perspective, there is even more of a partnership to be had.” Min said he would like to have an initiative in place by the end of the year; ideally, he said, he would love to have a full load of students travel to Thailand in the future.

Dr. Richardson said she is looking forward to seeing this partnership expand further.

"We are eager to explore opportunities for collaboration between faculty and students at Penn State Lehigh Valley and Thammasat University,” she said. “This partnership reflects Penn State Lehigh Valley's commitment to securing unique academic experiences that engage our students and provide them a well-rounded, high-quality education."

Thammasat University, founded in 1934, is a top-10 ranking university in Thailand. Alumni from this prestigious institution include some of Thailand's prime ministers, leading politicians, and key governmental figures. Thammasat University offers more than 240 academic programs in 33 different faculties and colleges on four campuses. These programs include bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees, with 58 of them being international programs offered entirely in English.