Professor Dr Wichit Srisa-an, Thailand’s former Minister of Education, has been awarded Principal Fellowship by Advance HE, becoming the first Principal Fellow in Thailand.
Professor Dr Wichit has established three universities in Thailand including the first distance education university, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, the first public autonomous university, Suranaree University of Technology, and Walailak University, which boasts the largest campus of any university in Thailand. He is currently Chairman of University Council of all three institutions, and has worked extensively in the higher education sector both in Thailand and in Europe.
Principal Fellowship complements Professor Dr Wichit Srisa-an’s 16 honorary doctorates and numerous national and international awards which recognise his contribution to the development of education. For these achievements, he is known in Thailand as the “Father of Distance Education” and “Father of Thai Cooperative Education”.
“I’m pleased to be awarded Principal Fellowship, a recognition which connects people working in higher education from across the globe. Strengthening international partnerships has always been pivotal in my work, from establishing Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University to this award; I hope my profession has shown that distance should not be a barrier to sharing knowledge.”Professor Dr Wichit
“This achievement represents a culmination of Professor Dr Wichit’s impressive career and his instrumental role in higher education. We’re delighted to have him join our community of Principal Fellows.”Dr Jane Roberts, a Principal Fellow and Advance HE consultant
“We are delighted to welcome Dr Wichit as a Principal Fellow. His work on higher education is known across the world and his Principal Fellowship reflects this international impact. I am also personally grateful for Dr Wichit’s recent championing of Fellowship across Thailand, where Advance HE has recognised nearly 100 Fellows in the past two years.”Alison Johns, Chief Executive of Advance HE