oea booklet

Office of Education Affairs, UK.Preparing Pragmatic and Trustworthy

Talent for the Thai Public Sector

Contents

01

02

05

06

09

10

14

16

19

20

OEA Greeting

Thai Civil Service and The Civil Service Act

CSC,OCSC and Scholarship Management

Royal Thai Scholarship System in Brief

Office of Educational Affairs: OEA

OEA Responsibilities and Strategy

Students under the OEA’s Care

The OEA Building

Key Scholarship Students Statistics in UK (2011)

OEA Activities

Welcome to the Office of Educational Affairs (OEA). The OEA is an implemen-tation arm of Thailand’s Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC), a central human resource management unit for Thailand’s public sector.Reporting directly to the Prime Minis-ter, one of the major responsibilities of the OCSC is talent management through the government scholarship system. While the aspects of planning and selection of scholarship are man-aged by the OCSC in Thailand, the role of scholarship student supervision as well as oversea network creation in Europe are assigned to OEA.

This booklet aims to familiarize you with the roles and strategies of the OEA in developing pragmatic and trustworthy talents for the Thai public sector.

OEA Greeting

This includes the information on the CSC, OCSC, OEA as well as a brief overview on the scholarship system. It also shows our activities to give you some ideas how we take care of our students.

Finally, as the OEA alone cannot accomplish this formidable task of talent development, we would like to express our deepest appreciation to all parties for your active involvement in co-creating valuable human resource for Thailand.

Thank you.

Dr. Piyawat SivaraksMinister (for Education)April 2012

- 01 -

Before 1928, the human resource management in the Thai civil service was based on the patronage system where such functions as selection, recruitment, and promotion were not systemized, leaving decisions on human resource at the disposal of supervisors .

In the reign of King Rama VII, the first Civil Service Act B.E. 2471 (1928) transformed the Thai civil service into the merit system that relies on rules of law as well as the principles of compe-tence, merit, and fairness.

The civil service act has been amended from time to time to facilitate the civil service’s human resource management in a particular environment. The most recent change in the civil service human resource structure is the new Civil Service Act of 2008 which was enacted in January 2008 and fully came into effect in late January 2009 .

This Act has four underlying principles. The first principle deals with “Manag-ing Work” which is pointed out under section 34 of Civil Service Regulations. It states that “The organization of civil service officials shall be undertaken with a view to the result-based outcome, efficiency and good value in

Thai Civil Service and The Civil Service Act

King Rama VII statue, OCSC Thailand

the discharge of State functions, and to make officials perform their duties with quality and virtue and have a good quality of life .”

The second principle is “Managing Self” as put under section 78 which deals with ethics, emphasizing that officials “exhibit honor and dignity,” “relent-lessly insist on taking the correct action,” act with ”honesty and respon-sibility,” be “transparent and account-able performance of duties” without

- 02 -

“Managing People” is the third princi-ple which lies within section 42 men-tioning that the merit based principle is applied for recruitment and selec-tion, performance evaluation, promo-tion, disciplinary action, and political impartiality.

The fourth principle is “Jurisdiction.” The Act covers the roles and responsi-bilities of all key stakeholders in the realm of civil service’s human resource management system including the cabinet, the Prime Minister, Ministers, the civil service commission and its sub-commission, government agencies’ executives (including the permanent secretary), and civil service officials.

Finally, the fifth principle of the Act is “Coverage” as it covers the manage-ment of all key human resource areas such as recruitment and selection, position classification, compensation, appointment and promotion, ethics, and discipline.

OCSC Building Thailand

“;any unfair discrimination” and use “result-based determination” when making decisions. Section 78 also provides government with rule-making and implementation pursuant to technical principles and professional ethics.

- 03 -

“There is certain pride I'm sure every-one feels in being a scholarship student and knowing that you are serving your country…at the start, there are few certain challenges you will face…do not worry. It comes with time and as you go along, your skill will gradually improve. I did really badly in one of my subjects in the first mock exams but in the second mock, my mark in that subject just shot up…”

Comments from the Scholarship Students

Ms Pimchanok Narenpithak (Maggie)Current course of study: A-levelsSchool: D'Overbroeck's CollegeScholarship: European Literature/ CHE(Commission of Higher Education) from A-levels to Master

“I am honoured and very grateful to be a scholarship student but I do not feel special or superior or anything. To me it means constantly reminding myself to take what I learn here and put it in a perspective of my country. .. I am studying the way of thinking, problem-solving methods and approach, and not copying western architecture or certain style. …It is a peace of mind having the OEA here in the UK. Every staff at the OEA are friendly and help us a great deal. Not just dealing with our scholarship and monitoring our progress and things, they also give us insights into living in the UK…”

Ms Nawanwaj Yudhanahas (Orm)Current course of study: BSc Architecture. Year3 School: Bartlett School of Architecture, Univer-sity College of LondonScholarship: Undergraduate to Master degree

- 04 -

CSC , OCSC and Scholarship Management

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is a committee body appointed by the His Majesty the King. Its authority and duties are to make proposals and give advice to the Cabinet concerning policies and standards of managing public human resource as well as to formulate civil service human resource management policies, rules, regula-tions and directives in accordance with the Civil Service Act

According to the Civil Service Act, the CSC is comprised of the Prime Minis-ter or Deputy Prime Minister desig-nated by the Prime Minister as Chair-man, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance,

Director of the Budget Bureau and Secretary-General of the Office of the National Economic and Social Develop-ment Board as ex officio commission-ers, and no fewer than five but not more than seven commissioners appointed by the King from persons qualified in human resource manage-ment, administration and management and law whose works are renowned in the relevant fields and being persons recruited under the rules, procedures and conditions prescribed by CSC Regulation, and the Secretary-General of the Civil Service Commission shall be a commissioner and secretary.

The Office of the Civil Service Commis-sion (OCSC) serves as the secretariat to the CSC and is the operational unit assigned to undertake the CSC func-tions mentioned above. The OCSC is headed by a Secretary-General who is in charge of its civil servants and administration, and is accountable directly to the Prime Minister. Duties of the OCSC are prescribed in Section 13 of the Act and one of such duties is to carry out acts in relation to King’s scholarships and government scholar-ships in accordance with policies or rules of the CSC.

- 05 -

Royal Thai Scholarship System in BriefThe Main Objectives of Royal Thai Government Scholarship are as follows;1. To support the public sector in keeping up with its human resource capability within the dynamic environ-ment;2. To ensure the flow of talents to replace retiring government officials 3. To serve as a strategic recruitment tool in bringing talents to the public sector.

The government scholarship program has been recognized as a key mecha-nism to recruit highly competent civil servants and those with special qualifi-cations needed in civil service. Usually, around 70-80% of candidates in the final selection stage are first or second degree honour students.

- 06 -


“…I really feel honoured to be a scholarship student and at the same time feel quite a high responsibility on performing well in my education …I am pushing my best to achieve as much as possible in hope of using my knowl-edge to help other people after my graduation……I think having OEA here is actually helping me a lot with the advices during different stages in my educa-tion. All the officers are so nice to me and treat me like someone in their family. Really raise my spirit up a lot during my living here. Thank you very much.”

Mr Atipat Patharagulpong (Ming)

Current Course of Study: MSc. Biomedical

Engineering

Place of Study: Imperial College London

Scholarship. : Ministry of Science and Technology

(A-level to PhD)

- 07 -

MINISTERS (FOR EDUCATION)

NUMBER NAME YEAR

1 MR. JAMES ALGERNON BROWN, M.A. OXON 1904 - 1906

2 COL. C.V. HUME, M.V.O., M.A. 1912

3 MR.A. CECIL CARTON, M.A. 1915 - 1921

4 PHYA BHARATA 1922 - 1925

5 MR. A.E. CARDEW 1926 – 1931

6 PHYA PRICHANUSORN 1949 - 1950

7 PHRA SUVABHAND 1951 - 1955

8 LUANG PRAMODYA 1956 - 1963

9 MR. SNGAT SRIVANIG 1964 - 1972

10 MR. SAMRAN THAWARAYUSM 1973 - 1977

11 MR. SOMSALA JEERAPANDH 1978 - 1981

12 MR. ALAI INGAWANIJ 1981 -1985

13 M.R CHAYATAVAT SRITAVAJ 1985 - 1989

14 MR. SUWAN XANASONGGRAM 1989 - 1993

15 DR. SOMPHOCH NOPHAKOON 1993 - 1997

16 MR. SATHAPORN SAKOLRAK 1997- 1998

17 MRS. CHOMNARD PONGPONRAT 1998 - 2001

18 MR. CHARNVIT KRAIRIKSH 2001 - 2005

19 MRS. SUCHADA RUNGSINAN 2005 - 2008

20 M.L PATCHARAPAKORN DEVAKULA 2008 - 2011

21 DR. PIYAWAT SIVARAKS 2011 - PRESENT - 08 -

Office of Educational Affairs (OEA) is a division of the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC). The evolution of the OEA is indistinguish-able from the history of taking care of Thai students in the UK. This can be dated back as far as 1881 when Prince Prisdang, a son of King Rama IV, was bestowed by King Rama V (King Chulalongkorn) the responsibility of taking the first group of 9 students to Europe in 1881, finding the schools for them and supervising their studies so that none would be "idling or lagging behind in his work.“ Prince Prisdang therefore became the first de facto person to superintend Siamese students in the United Kingdom i.e. the Superintendent. Since then there are 21 Superintendents –a title later changed to Minister (for Education) - taking care of the Royal Thai govern-ment scholarship and privately funded students.

Office of Educational Affairs: OEA

Prince Prisdang was born on Feb 23, 1851 to Prince Jumsai, the fourth eldest son of King Rama III and went with King Rama V and other royal cousins to Singapore for his education. He did very well and later was sent to England to study engineering. He became "the first known Thai to study and graduate from a Western Univer-sity", and won many distinctions and awards. Even the Times Magazine reported the Prince taking the first prizes in so many fields of studies upon his graduation at King's College in 1876. The prince was the core member of the Young Siam Society. (M.L.Manich Jumsai, “Prince Prisdang's Files on His Diplomatic Activities in Europe 1880-1886)

- 09 -

The Office is responsible for advising and assisting government scholarship students studying in the United King-dom, Ireland, France, Germany and Switzerland and for privately funded students being educated in the United Kingdom To accomplish its roles and responsibility of developing talents for the Thai public sector, the OEA formu-late 3 core strategies; Building a Community of Care, Enhancing OEA’s Connectivity with Thai students, and Strengthening Internal Alignment.

OEA Responsibilities and Strategy

System & Process

Students

Key Stakeholders

- 10 -

Build a Community of Care through- Proactive university visits;- Regular communications with Royal Thai government scholarship funding sources to ensure effective and timely scholarship management;- Annual conference at OEA to strengthen community of care with international units, professors, execu-tives, and representatives�of scholar-ship funding units.

Enhance OEA’s Connectivity to better identify factors affecting students’ academic achievement by,- Conducting student visits in all regions;- Organising meetings & technical workshops at OEA;- Providing Help/ Care service; - Supporting student activities;- Communicating actively through Social Networks i.e. Facebook, website and e-mail

Strengthen Internal Alignment by- Emphasizing student-focused rather than division-focused problem solving;- Strengthening internal knowledge base;- Promoting flow of �communications and ideas

- 11 -

“At first, I was very surprised how come I had been chosen as a scholar among thousand qualified candidates and very glad that they saw my ability and gave me the big chance despite my disabil-ity. …I have dreamt I can bring knowl-edge and experience I have harvested from my study and society in the UK to develop Thailand in field of sciences…Furthermore, I want to present myself as a deaf/hard of hearing person that disable people are not incapable to do anything, but can do everything…I found out that the UK is one of the best knowledge source in


Ms Jakrada Attarataya (Ming)Current course of study: PhD in BiochemistryPlace of Study: University of BristolScholarship: The Royal Thai Government Scholarship for Science 2008 (2551) to study in Master and PhD degree

crystallography along with Europe and the Diamond Light Source of the UK is one of innovative synchrotron institutes and has just opened to operate since 2007 and the atmosphere in the UK is more suitable to develop my English skill and knowledge…It is very useful to have OEA stationed in the UK because there are many Thai students studying here and wanting some urgent assistance in case that someone in Thailand cannot help on time… I cannot imagine what if OEA is not in the UK”

- 12 -

“It is my honour to be a Thai govern-ment scholar. The scholarship, so far, has provided me invaluable experi-ences both socially and academically, which are beyond compare……I would love to express my gratitude to the OEA and all its officers for providing advice and helping me out with any problems that I have faced within my studies. This inevitably facilitates me to make the best out of my time studying abroad and to achieve a magnificent lifetime experi-ence”

Ms Junjuda UnruangsriCurrent course of study: DPhil (Doctoral of Philosophy) in Inorganic ChemistryPlace of Study: University of OxfordScholarship: DPST scholarship (A-levels to DPhil)

- 13 -

Government Scholarship StudentsThese students have been awarded scholarships by the Royal Thai Govern-ment, universities and other official authorities as well as non-government organisations.The scholars study mainly postgradu-ate courses from Master degree to Ph.D. degree but a few students with high school leaving qualifications are sent to the UK each year to take course at GCSE and GCE A levels before entering into the First degree at British Universities. A few scholarships are given to disabled scholars.

Students under the OEA’s Care

Government Officials on Study LeaveThese are government officials who have permission to further their studies or undertake training or conduct research in selective fields during a specific period of time. A few study on their own funds and report to the OEA. They are sponsored by either the Thai Government or the British Council in collaboration with British Institutes or by various sources. Some of them have permission to attend short courses on professional training programmes or are research fellows. The duration of the programme ranges from 3-12 months.

M.R. Seni Pramoj

6th Prime Minister

Mr. Anand Panyarachun

18th Prime Minister

Examples of distinguished former students under OEA’s care

- 14 -

Privately Funded Students The privately funded students are financially supported by their parents. Majorities are young students studying at boarding schools, as well as under-graduates and some postgraduates. The parents or guardians of the privately funded students sign a contract with the OCSC to appoint the OEA as their education guardian in the United Kingdom.The OEA UK is responsible for more than 1,200 Thai government scholar-ship students and around 300 privately funded students. Each year, about 200 new scholarship students come to The UK.

Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva

27th Prime Minister

M.R.Chatu Mongol Sonakul

Former Governor Bank of Thailand and

Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance

Prof. Dr. Pairash Thajchayapong

Founder of National Electronics and Computer

Technology Center(NECTEC) &former Permanent

Secretary of Ministry of Science and Technology

The Success of the OEA has been concretized with the continual flow of students who go on to take an important and distinguished part in many aspects of Thai life.

- 15 -

The Legation as it was known (only very large countries such as France and USA had Embassies before WWII) was situated in Barkston Gardens in Kensington and the Students’ Office was established there. After the war the Embassy moved to 23 Ashburn Place (near Gloucester Road Under-ground Station) which looked on to a lovely peaceful garden full of old plane trees and the Students’ Office was established in 3 rooms at the top of the building which was demolished to make way for a new Holiday Inn.

The OEA Building

In 1954 Field Marshal Pibul Pibulsong-gram the Prime Minister at the time was instrumental in buying a property for the Students’ Office so in the same year the present building at 28 Princes Gate was purchased. It was in very bad condition as apparently during the war it housed part of the Home Office and suffered damage when part of Princes Gate in Exhibition Road was bombed. Money for repairs was tight and it was difficult to source the right building materials so much of the work was done with these constraints. The Field Marshal came to London especially to officially open the building in 1955.

28 Prince’s GateSW 7 1PT

- 16 -

“…OEA has done everything possible to make Dol's first year in school warm and comfortable. We were really touched upon learning that the OEA visited Dol's school in November last year. …the guidance on the approach to the examination and interview is valuable, it enhances Dol's and his parents' confidence of the prospect of being accepted to one or more of these prestigious schools. In all, we think what you have done is above and beyond the core of duty, this is a very rare phenomena for government services. … Thank you again for taking care of Dol’ Prakit Pradipasen, mother of ….”

Comments from the Private Students

Master Nadol Vatanatham (Dol)Current course of study: Year 6School: Eagle House School

“The OEA has offered me invaluable support throughout my five years in the UK, whether by helping me with my visa application and travel arrange-ments before I arrived in England, or by providing the advice which allowed me to make an informed choice as to the most suitable 6th form school as well as the most rewarding undergraduate university course. I have always found the officers to be extremely helpful, accommodating, and generous with their time and have always felt reassured by my knowledge of the fact that I could always seek guidance and assistance from them.”

Ms Supapirom Kraisoraphong (Amie)Current course of study: First Degree in English Language & Literature (Third Year)Place of Study: St John’s College, Oxford

- 17 -

“It has been such an interesting and rewarding 58 years working for the Thai students and to see their successes in life, both personal and for the country.”

Julia Plaistowe OEA Senior Advisor

- 18 -

Key Statistics on Thai Scholarship Students in UK

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- 19 -

Key Scholarship Students Statistics in UK (Year 2011)

By Subject (number 2011)

By Level (%)

- 20 -

OEA Activities

Orientation for A-Level Scholarship Students

“Meet-Mind-Munch” Workshops at OEA

- 21 -

OEA Activities (con’t)

University Visits: Enhancing Scholarship Student Connectivity and Creating Community of Care

Durham

New Castle Bristol

Exeter York

Leeds Hull

- 22 -

Private Student Visit

Cambridge Tutorial College

Royal Russell School

Shrewsbury School

Woldingham School

Concord College

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oea booklet

Documents

civil service actcsc

civil service regulations

oea greetingthai civil

civil service commission

new civil service act

civil service actking

oea activitieswelcome

selection of scholarship