Somwung Pitiyanuwat

College of Education and Human Development, November 15, 2004

Somwung Pitiyanuwat received his Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota in 1979. After completing his doctoral studies, he returned to Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, to begin a career in teaching and research. He started as an assistant professor and rose through the ranks to become vice president for Research Affairs at Chulalongkorn University. He now has the position of Director of the Office of National Standards and Quality Assessment, which reports directly to the Prime Minister of Thailand and carries the responsibility for the future of Thailand education. It is said that it is perhaps the single most important job in Thailand today given the magnitude and importance of the educational reforms and restructuring taking place in the nation. Also, he was elected to the Royal Institute of Thailand, an extraordinary honor, as its members are composed primarily of engineers and scientists in the physical and life sciences, not researchers in education. In addition, he has published numerous articles and books covering topics such as high school drop-outs, alternative types of educational tests, and teacher attitudes.