OHIO advances Southeast Asia partnerships through alumni engagement, research collaboration, and global education

Expanding collaborations in Thailand

In Thailand, the delegation engaged with university leaders, faculty, students and alumni in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, building on long-standing academic relationships while exploring new opportunities for student exchanges, internships, project-based learning and joint research. These discussions reinforced OHIO’s strengths in designing programs that integrate learning, practice and professional development.

The OHIO representatives celebrated the signings of new agreements with partner universities Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok and Payap University in Chiang Mai.

OHIO graduates play key roles at leading universities in Thailand: Dr. Parichart Sthapitanonda is the vice president for academic affairs and social outreach at Chulalongkorn University; Dr. Benya Lertsuwan is head of English communication at Payap University; Dr. Punchada Sirivunnabood is dean of social sciences and humanities at Mahidol University; and Dr. Pradthana Jaipong is assistant to the president at Chiang Mai University.

The delegation also spent time with OHIO study abroad students at the Moradokmai Theatre Community and Homeschool outside Bangkok, a nonprofit arts and education center that integrates Thai cultural traditions with global perspectives. The visit underscored how international experiential learning enables students to develop important transferable skills including collaboration, adaptability and creative problem-solving—that are increasingly valued across professional fields.

“Traveling with this delegation to Southeast Asia reaffirmed my belief that global engagement is pivotal to student learning,” Schroeder-Arce said. “Witnessing OHIO students build relationships with youth at Moradokmai was deeply inspiring. After a beautiful day of cross-cultural learning through the arts leading to strong relationship-building, our departure was profoundly emotional—the Thai youth were literally holding onto the bus, while some of our students were in tears. In that moment, it was clear that the study abroad students’ consciousness of themselves as global citizens had grown by leaps and bounds.”

OHIO and the Moradokmai Theatre Community and Homeschool also signed a new agreement during the visit.

“I am incredibly excited about the upcoming opportunity for our students to complete internships at Moradokmai and the impact this experience will have on their global consciousness, their sense of self, and their own artistic development,” Schroeder-Arce said.

Alumni receptions in Bangkok and Chiang Mai brought together graduates working across education, government, business, and the creative arts. Alumni shared reflections on how their Ohio University experiences continue to inform their work, and they expressed enthusiasm for supporting future student opportunities, from internships to collaborative projects. 

The delegation was especially honored to spend time with distinguished alumni whose careers exemplify the global impact of an OHIO education. These moments reinforced the depth of Thailand’s alumni network and its importance to the University’s international future.