User:Jsupanya/Puey Ungphakorn School of Development Studies, Thammasat University

The Puey Ungphakorn School of Development Studies (PSDS) is one of the 26 teaching faculties/colleges of Thammasat University (TU). It was originally founded as the Graduate Volunteer Centre (GVC) in 1969. In 2015, GVC was officially renamed to honor its founder, Professor Puey Ungphakorn.

From its founding up till now, the GVC/PSDS has provided opportunities for graduates of different universities to experience rural life and learn about various aspects of local communities. The program, which awards a graduate diploma on volunteerism, was envisioned making the newly educated generations more aware of rural and national development concerns. In turn, rural dwellers learned from interacting with university graduates whom they may have previously seen as a remote social elite.

Young advocates became agents for change in rural communities and leaders of volunteer programs and development initiatives. Even after graduation, many embrace the ethos of personal sacrifice, working to alleviate poverty in underdeveloped and remote areas for minimal pay or as volunteers.

Today, GVC graduates include over 1,500 volunteers who have benefited from its educational and training courses. Many work in academia, non-governmental organizations, business, volunteer groups, and the civil service. They share values and solidarity with neglected and exploited populations. They strive to counteract inequality and injustice by peaceful, democratic means. Some are well known as committed activists, advocates, and facilitators for community and social change.

PSDS TEACHING PROGRAMS
GVC gradually developed into a full-fledged higher education organization[AH1]. PSDS launched its master degree program on Rural Studies and Development in 1999. In 2016, as one of the most popular and exclusive institutes of TU, PSDS launched a BA and MA program in Creative Development, in 2018. 100 students enroll annually in the BA program, 20 in the MA program and 25-30 in the Graduate Diploma program.

Unlike other programs, admission to the PSDS’s BA program is based neither on high school grades nor entrance examination results. Instead, individual evaluation is based on each student’s personality and potential for aptitude and creativity. Undergraduates benefit from PSDS’ out-of-the-classroom work-based learning scheme, making education practical, project-centric and problem-driven. They may choose to focus on contemporary community development, corporate social responsibility (CSR), social enterprise, or volunteer management.

Students enrolled in the MA program on Creative Development focus on research-oriented approaches to their topic of choice. Coursework is optional. Many choose to take courses that help them in either a dissertation or mini-dissertation.

Up till today, the Graduate Diploma program is still Thailand’s first and only service learning program for the rural community. Students are exempted from tuition fees and are awarded a stipend instead. They are mentored by academic advisors from TU as well as by local experts in the field. Students spend three months in coursework, seven months in rural communities, and two months writing a mini-dissertation. [AH1]What was it before?

BTW, maybe it’s not the same in Thailand, but “higher education” in the US/UK = university education, including undergrad

INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIVITY

Before 2014, GVC mainly collaborated with foreign agencies and universities that specializing in youth volunteer program. After becoming PSDS, more contacts and joint activities in various fields have been encouraged. Faculty members and students have participated in universities’ courtesy visits. At present, PSDS are in the process of negotiating MOUs with universities in Korea, Japan, Singapore, India, Philippines, USA, Nepal and Laos. As PSDS is reputed for its rural development work and volunteer management, foreign faculty members and students regularly visit to exchange ideas, experiences regularly.