From: sl2k+@andrew.cmu.edu (Schitt Laowattana)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.thai
Subject: Re: Demand-Supply of S&T Manpower in Thailand
Date: 11 Oct 92 19:14:43 GMT
Article-I.D.: andrew.QeqCqX200UhW84BmNA
Organization: Doctoral student, Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA

Excerpts from mail: 10-Oct-92 Re: Demand-Supply of S&T Ma.. by A.
Anuchitanukul@CS.Stan 

> > bachelor degree.  This is one of the major bummers indicating that we do
> > not plan ahead.
>  
> We never plan anything ahead.  

    We start doing it.

>  
> > "Part[1]: Major Problem).  However, we have to optimize between quality
> > and quanity since our industry in most fields is expanding exponentially.
>  
> What's wrong with hiring those people without the B.Eng degree?  If their
> qualifications do not change, having a B.Eng doesn't make them better 
> employees.  

    Hopefully, further training can give them more knowledge.

>  
> >     After seperating from governmental management, engineering
> > universities will be able to recruit more qualified personel and
> > hopefully they can perform their jobs better.  I believe the second
> > round to enact this law will come soon.  The first attemtp was failed
> > during Anand 1 administration.
>  
> The problem is not that they can't recruit more qualified personel.  They
> simply don't.  There are many qualified personels (including me) out there 
> who are willing to get less money to have an opportunity to teach people.  
> The university have to reach out for them, rather than just sit there
> and wait for them to come and submit an application form.  You know,
> most of these people care about "pride" too.  I, for example, am happy to 
> get $3500 to be a Ajarn in a university as long as I am given a chance to
> do what I want, teach and research, ... and as long as I get adequate 
> acknowledgement from colleages.  If it was not so terrible, I wouldn't
> have left the university.  

    I am in the period of making a proposal on salary for resercher to
our government.  Once, I brainstormed with Thai students and
professionals aboard.  Most of them requested the same level of salary
which they can get here.  Only thing I promised them is amount of money
they can get if they work in the private sector in Thailand.

    I admire your seriousness of being a techer/research in Thailand.  
To solve problems you mentioned, we have to be determined and know how
to deal with some stupid seniors and systems.  Please be strong fists in
soft velvet gloves. 


>  
> Take my words, I have seen many qualified energetic researchers who
> are disappointed when they offered themselves to such low-paid jobs
> in the university (the university simply turn them down or mistreated
> them and scared them away).   

    I experienced the same thing. I have not given up yet.

>  
> I have seen how they select new Ajarn.  "SEN" is given high priority.
> I have seen an Ajarn with <2.5 GPA.  Some Ajarns just can't teach!
>  
> It's a part of Thai culture: unqualified people get the job and try
> to do it in their unqualified way and the result are unqualified
> products.  Unqualified people exclude qualified people from the job
> so that qualified people will be no threat to their secured job.

    Our culture in respecting seniors is good.  The problem is that some
stupid seniors are too active and sometime, cause so many problems. 
However, if we start to solve problems by blaming someone, we will not
be able to solve it.  

>  
> >    Please don't be disappointed.  Improving standard in engineering
> > education and activities has just been started.  Although, it seems a
> > little bit late.  But, hey ! we can't loose more.  Let's do it.
>  
> Giving out more and more B.Eng degrees without improvement in curriculum
> lower educational standard.  Let's do not follow Philipines' footsteps.

    Given a situation on quality and quantity of instructors we
currently have, how much more do you expect ?

>  
> >    I strongly believe that you can exercise your potential & capabilty
> > to help them(students & educational standard) one way or anothor. 
> > Please step in when you have an opportunity. 
>  
> I went back to Thailand in the beginning of this year with a hope that
> I can give a talk or perhaps teach a short course to get some of
> knowledge acquired here transfered to fellow countrymen.  You can guess
> that the hope has never come true during those 6-7 months in Thailand. 
> It is even more surprising to learn about some people who are invited
> regularly to give a talk or teach courses.  

    Next time you go to Thailand, please inform me.  I promise to
fulfill your objectives.


>  
> I know a farang who have been in Thailand for quite a long time and
> have tought/been to many universities.  He once frankly told
> me that Thai Ajarns are not "even adequate" for the job and Thai
> "research universities" look like "vocational schools" to him. 
> It left me deaf!   Well, what can you say more about our educational 
> standard??????

    That is O.K.  We will be real winners in the near future

>  
> Another example is when I tried to start up a research involving
> electroencephalograms, and I needed to have a research partner who
> is a medical doctor.  I went to the medical school to find one.
> The answer that I got is: "Nobody is a researcher here!". 

    The same story happened to medical students at Siriraj too.  They
could not locate engineers who can help them to design deveices they
need.  The critical issue is that we don't have critical mass for R&D. 
I hope, after all these unfotunate experience you encountered, you still
want to go back to Thailand to enhance our R&D  capability.  I will do
whatever it takes to support you.


>  
> A friend of mine told me about a newly graduated EE with 1st class honors
> from a university at the rim of Bangkok.  To his surprise, that guy
> can't solve a simple circuit.  Unfortunately, this guy got a gov
> scholarship and will return to be an Ajarn in a university. 

    It is better than zero.


>  
> >    For long term solution, we will get highly qualified personel from
> > the MoSTE Scholarship program within 8-10 years.  The government is also
>  
> Hopefully, they will go back.  Hopefully, they will not become dead-wood
> (assimilated into the mainstream).  I am not sure whether you know that
> there are more MoSTE scholarships than the people who want it.  At one
> time, there are so few people applied for it that they have to lower
> the qualification.  Today's qualification is almost at the bottom.

    I know that the requirement for MoSTE scholarship is lower than
other scholarships like King Scholarship, Fulbright Fellowship, Monbusho
Scholarship.  However, they are performing very well in their current
studies.  I am very optimistic about them and the future of our country.
 

>  
> > promoting international cooperation between our engineering schools with
> > ones aboard.  
>  
> I am really looking for real cooperation, not just a picture-taking 
> hand-shaking opportunity.  Technical journals, research papers, etc.
> are difficult to find in Thailand.  Let alone any other cooperation
> in higher levels.  

    We'll get there with your help.


>  
> > The newly established S&T centers like FIBO(Center of
> > Operation for FIeld roBOtics Development) must spearhead on R&D
> > activities which ,in turn, promote excellence in engineering education.
> >
> >    Please be patient and stand by.
>  
> I will.

    Thank you very much.  See you in Thailand!
   
>  
> Evolution is slow and painful process.  Revolution, on the other hand,
> is far more painful but fast.  Neither garantees a good solution, however. 

    Then, let's optimize it.

>  
> Best Regards,
>  
> Anuchit
>  
> -----------------------------------------------------------
> Shakespear:  To be or not to be.  That's the question  
> Researcher:  To research or not to research.  That's the question.  

With Great Respect,
Schitt  Laowattana
Newsgroups: soc.culture.thai