Thailand Opportunity Awaits Two WSU Graduate Students

PULLMAN, Wash. — This month, two graduate students from the Washington State University College of Education will enjoy a weeklong, all-expenses-paid trip to Thailand – and the opportunity to participate in reforming the Thai higher education system.

Robyn Johnson, a master’s degree student in science education, and Angel Reyna, a master’s degree student in educational administration, will attend the annual conference of the University Partners for Academic Leadership (UPAL), a collaboration between WSU’s faculty members in educational administration and their counterparts in Thailand.  The conference is at Naresuan University, which will pay the expenses for the two WSU students.

The partnership began when Thailand decided to privatize its universities. The Thai government turned to Forrest Parkay, WSU education professor, to lead that effort because of his years of involvement in international education. The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs funded the project, which began with a month-long institute at Pullman in May 2002 attended by nine presidents and 24 vice presidents from Thai universities.

Johnson and Reyna began their involvement with the UPAL program when the students were hosts for a delegation of Thai educators visiting WSU in November 2003.

“They were such lovely, friendly people,” Reyna said. “I am more than thrilled to be able to work with them again in Thailand.”

While in Thailand, Reyna expects to study different styles of educational administration. He said that the broadening experience will have a significant impact on his professional growth and will be a welcome addition to his resume.

Johnson will focus on science education reform issues and compare student attitudes toward science teaching while in Thailand.

“Professionally, this opens the global door for me,” Johnson said.  “I am unbelievably honored to have been selected.”

Johnson and Reyna will depart from Pullman on July 17 and return July 24.