about our
Founder & Chairman Dr. Virachai Techavijit
about our Founder & Chairman
Dr. Virachai Techavijit
(in brief)
CAREER/SERVICE 1995 - Present Chairman – Regent’s International Schools & Colleges, Thailand and the UK 1999 – Present General Consul a.h. – The Republic of Estonia in Bangkok 2016 – Present Chairman – University of London -Thailand Teaching Support Centre 2015 - Present Advisor – National Legislative Assembly Committee on Education 2013 – 2014 Chairman – Nonpartisan House Subcommittee on Law Amendments for AEC: Group 1 on ‘Human Development, 1996-1997 Official Advisor – Prime Minister (political appointment) 1994-1995 Chairman of the Board - Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) 1993-1994 Senior Executive Vice President – Bangkok Metropolitan Bank 1989-1993 Executive Advisor – Thai Bankers Association, Executive Committee 1987-1988 Founding Lecturer – Ph. D.(Accounting) Programme, Chulalongkorn University 1981-1985 Special Assistant CP Group CEO for international trade and investments 1981- 1981 Lecturer MBA, University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA) 1980-1981 Associate Professor – University of Nevada – Las Vegas (UNLV) 1978-1980 Assistant Professor – University of Nebraska – Omaha (UNO) 1976-1978 Lecturer – Columbia College – Columbia, MO 1975-1977 Graduate Instructor - University of Missouri - Columbia, MO 1967-1969 Headmaster – Joseph Upatham School, Sampran, Thailand
EDUCATION Ph.D. & M.A. B.A. CPA
2
University of Missouri –Columbia, USA (1974 &1979) Thomas More College, Cincinnati, USA (1973) State of Nebraska, USA (1980)
Dr. Virachai Techavijit REGENTS
The International
School Bangkok
HOME OF WELL ROUNDED LEADERS OF THE FUTURE
SPECIAL LECTURE
1. Oxford University, International Education in Thailand and IB Philosophy, 1 March 2007 See the script, click www.regents.ac.th/oxfordtalk 2. Cambridge University, “Is Education Effective in Tackling Collective Corruption?” 12 October 2011. Read the article, click www.regents.ac.th/cambridgetalk
CONTACT
Email: chairman@regents.ac.th
Mobile: 089-130-5555 Office: 089-313 7777 3
about our Founder & Chairman
CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS BY DR. VIRACHAI TECHAVIJIT, FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN OF THE REGENT’S SCHOOLS
It is the shared vision of everyone who works at Regent’s International School that our students reach the highest potential. Our School is a happy and hard-working community where students and staff work together to bring out the best in everyone. 4
The benefits of talented students and highly professional staff working together can be seen at all stages. From the very youngest in the nursery who are exposed to the challenging, stimulating British curriculum through excellent IGCSE results, to our graduates studying
Dr. Virachai Techavijit
for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma; everyone seeks to do their best. The final pages of our last year book bore witness to our graduates as they said farewell to Regent’s and over the summer, in turn, we witnessed them gaining the highest IB diploma scores in Thailand and some of the very best results in all of Asia.
The International Baccalaureate remains the “gold standard” of academic attainment for young people leaving school and entering higher education institutes around the world. Regent’s graduates were welcomed to many of the highest ranked universities last year and we wish this years’ applicants every success. Just as the world is an
5
about our Founder & Chairman
increasingly fast moving and dynamic environment, so the educational sector is changing at speed. With this in mind Regent’s has been quick to reflect the dynamic and global nature of education. In recent years the School led the way by introducing the BTEC qualification in Thailand to respond to the current government’s policy to reform the country’s further education with the 6
clear objective to equip secondary and vocational students with work skills and competency required by employers, in particular, multinational companies. In fact I personally hope that BTEC route will benefit those international school students including our own who might find IB too stressful. Regent’s International College was set up at the old campus near Meng Jai to deliver this curriculum.
Dr. Virachai Techavijit
In addition, as the academic reputation of our Regent’s International School has been widely recognised by top universities in the UK. The meeting with a senior administrator at University of London on 1st May last year triggered a tsunami of enthusiasm and nine months later both University of London and London School of Economics (LSE) approved our candidacy. In effect Regent’s International College officially became their teaching support centre in Bangkok. The University of London’s 15 year long search for a partner in Thailand ended with our appointment.
Classes will lead to BSc. (Hons.) In Economics, Management, Finance and Accounting.
Now in Bangkok anyone can study the same courses offered at LSE in London, sit examination papers prepared and marked by LSE. Also graduates are invited to receive their degree in London. After completing the first year of study in Bangkok, students can study their second year at LSE in London and their credits can be transferred to any of the 75 UOL-LSE centres around the world.
Best Wishes, Dr. Virachai Techavijit Founder and Chairman Regent’s International Schools University of London Thailand Teaching Centre
I am a strong believer in reforming the country’s education through the attainment of international qualifications including IGCSE, IB, BTEC and now University of London degrees.
We are lifting our profile to an incredibly high plateau in order to serve school leavers from all international schools here in Thailand and abroad. 7
about our Founder & Chairman 1
4
5
1. 2. 3. 4. 8
At Dusit Grand Palace. HM King Constantine II. Estonian President Ilves Estonian Prime Minister Ansip.
Dr. Virachai Techavijit
3
2
6
7
5. Thai NLA President Pornpech. 6. Armenian Dep. Minister Harutyunyan, Regent’s alumnus 7. Estonian President Ruutel 9
about our Founder & Chairman UNIVERSITY OF LONDON INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMES IN THAILAND BSc (Hons) Economics, Management, Finance & Social Studies (EMFSS) Academic direction provided by the London School of Ecomnomices and Political Science (LSE) As our current and past students are from every corner of the world, with many already achieving continued success including numerous engineers, medical doctors, professors and a young alumnus from Armenia who became a cabinet member at age 28, it is my wish to see Regent’s alumni joining me in improving the quality of education around the world so that poverty and corruption will diminish and quality of life improves, as I hypothersized in my lectures at Oxford University in 2007 and at Cambridge University in 2011.
10
Dr. Virachai Techavijit
DR.VIRACHAI TECHAVIJIT FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN OF THE REGENT’S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES
How has the education sector developed in Thailand? Significant improvements in the education system began in 1992 under then Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun, when he allowed students to attend international schools. There are now over 160 international schools in Thailand.
We are currently working closely with the goverment. Our international school members are involved in the training of some teachers from local schools. My personal objective, as the advisor to the National Legislative Assembly Committee on Education, is to help improve the local school system, by bringing in international qualifications
How has Regent’s International School collaborated with the government? FROM 11 WWW.VOICESOFLEADER.COM
about our Founder & Chairman at all levels of education, namely, IGCSE and IB at basic education level, the U.K.’s BTEC at vocational level, and the University of London (UOL) at higher education level. Although this upgrading process is somethning that will take time, the process will be expedited because of the current government’s determination to improve the edcation system. The passge of the national referendum on the new constitution last August, will ensure the lifting of local qualifications and a successful transition to international qualifications. What are the competitive adventages of Regent’s International School? Regent’s international School is monitored by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the IB Organization to
12
reach international standards through inspections and evaluation of results by IB examinations. For instance, in 2015, Regent’s International School had the hightest average in Thailand with 36.12 (37 is the threshold for the application for the best schools in the world), which was also higher than virtually all national average scores in Asia. How is Regent’s International School Group benefiting the education system in Thailand? As mentioned earlier, The Regents’ group of schools and colleges is driving the reform of the education system in Thailand by introducing top international qualifications, particularly the degree programmes with its partner, the University of London (UOL). In
Dr. Virachai Techavijit
early 2016, the Regent’s International School Group founded the “University of London - Thailand Teaching Support Centre” for BSc. Degrees in Economics, Management, Finance and Social Science (EMFSS), for which academic direction is provided by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Students will be able to obtain genuine UOL degrees without having to leave Bangkok. That said, after a succesful first year, students could go to study in the second year at LSE in London. However they must return to their third year here, or at any of the 125 centres outside the U.K. Upon successful completion of the 3-year programme in Bangkok, graduates will be invited to attend the graduation ceremony in London. What total values does Regent’s International School give to the education system in Thailand? As the school motto states, “Regent’s International School is home of wellrounded leaders for the future,” not only we do encourage our students to reach their hight academic perfomance, we also teach them important life skills through the IDEALS Philsophy. I-D-E-A-L-S is a
Round Square philosophy to train children from ordinary to well-rounded leaders.’I’ stands for interationnalism: we teach them not to discriminate against other people, based on race, colour, religion, creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, or other protected status. ‘D’ stands for democracy: we teach them how to listen to others and respect everyones’ opinion. ‘E’ is for environmental awareness: we teach them not to be selfish but to care about others’ future. ‘A’ is for adventure: our students have to have courage to make bold moves. ‘L’ is for leadership: we teach our students to lead by example. Lastly, ‘S’ is for service: we encourage them to look after someone who needs help. All of our values help students to live a productive life whilst making this world a happy place. This is the commitment of all 150 Round Square member schools around the world. 13
about our Founder & Chairman
AN EDUCATOR’S STORY: BRINGING LONDON TO BANGKOK AS ONE OF THAILAND’S MOST ESTEEMED INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS LAUNCHES AN INCREDIBLE NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS, WE SAT DOWN WITH REGENT’S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL’S FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN, DR VIRACHAI TECHAVIJIT, TO LEARN ABOUT HIS PAST, THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OF EDUCATION IN THE KINGDOM IT TAKES SOME people decades to discover what their passion is in life. For Dr Virachai Techavijit, he stumbled into his passion for education at an early age. At just 19 years old, he became the headmaster of Joseph Upatham School in Sampran, Thailand, managing over a thousand students and 35 teachers. “Most of the staff were older than me,” Dr Virachai recalls, smilingly. At 21, Dr Virachai left the Kingdom to study in the United States, where he earned his Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degrees in accountancy including a CPA. The newly-minted doctor worked as a professor at universities across the US for six years, eventually setting his sights on the West Coast. “I heard the old advice: young man, go west,” he said. He landed a highly prestigious position in 1981 as an MBA lecturer at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) when tragedy struck. “I came home during holiday and asked my dad, ‘When was the last time you had a physical examination?’ I knew that he had been smoking like a chimney when he was younger,” Dr Virachai says. 14
Dr. Virachai Techavijit
He convinced his father to get an X-ray and the results revealed terrible news. A ping pong ball-sized tumour had formed in his lung. A biopsy showed the tumour was cancerous. “I had a big decision to make. Coming from a Chinese background, you need to be there.” He deferred his position at UCLA and returned to Thailand to be with his father, a move that would end up transforming his life and the lives of countless students in Thailand. Back in Thailand, Dr Virachai spent the next 12 years working in a variety of sectors putting his Western experience and negotiating expertise to use. His former bosses include CP’s Dhanin Chearavanont (he helped in penetrating the Chinese market in 1982), former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun (he helped in easing pressure from the US Congress’ Textiles and Farm Bills), and Bangkok Bank’s Chatri Sophonpanich (he helped in fixing the 200,000 Baht fee ceiling for loan mortgage registration). Then in 1993 he became Senior Executive Vice President of Bangkok Metropolitan Bank before the Cabinet appointed him the chairman of the board of the Mass Rapid Transit 15
about our Founder & Chairman Authority in 1994 (he reversed a Cabinet resolution so the government was able to build the country’s first subway train, the Blue Line). By 1996, he was serving as an official advisor to the Prime Minister, a position which he left a year later to commence a year-long process to become the Honorary Consul of Republic of Estonia for Thailand. Dr Virachai invested in real estate in Pattaya in 1988 whilst serving as advisor to Thai Bankers’ Association, setting off a chain of events that put him on a track back into the education world. First, he developed homes for three major US companies in North Pattaya. The residents of those homes were concerned for the future of their companies. They were worried that companies wouldn’t be able to recruit valuable talent without proper education options for families. They implored the former educator to solve their crisis. The decision by the Thai government under Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun in 1992 to allow local children to attend international schools was most timely – one may say it was a key factor of Thailand’s successful globalisation.
16
“
IT’S ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME AS YOU ARE STUDYING IN ENGLAND... HERE, IT’S ONLY GOING TO COST YOU ABOUT ONE FOURTH OF THAT.
”
“To decide to invest in a school is a huge, huge job,” Dr Virachai says, “but of course what really scared me was that we would have 32 empty houses.” Dr Virachai took over a small international kindergarten in Pattaya and opened its doors in 1994 as a full-scale international school with just 75 families. Two months later, the number grew to over 140. He then moved the school to the current site in 1995. Regent’s International SchoolPattaya, now operating as a day and boarding school, caters to 1200 students and boasts 11 buildings on 70 rais. Five years into the school’s history, parents pushed Dr Virachai to open a Bangkok campus to ease the pain of being apart from their children. The chairman
Dr. Virachai Techavijit
obliged, and in 2000 brought his esteemed school to the capital, which at present caters to over 650 students. Regent’s International School alumni began going on to graduate from Oxford, Cambridge, Stanford, and other prestigious schools. Many went on to complete doctorate degrees from top institutions, including Cambridge University. Some went on to become politicians including the current Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources in Armenia. It became easy to recruit world-class teachers. Dr Virachai’s reputation went far and in 2007 he gave a lecture at Oxford University on “The
International Schools Phenomenon in Thailand and the Implementation of IB.” Again in 2011, Cambridge University invited him to speak on “Is Education Effective in Tackling Collective Corruption?” “There have been so many good things taking place here at the Regent’s and as recently as last year, we scored the highest average IB score in Thailand with graduates who went to study Law at Cambridge University, Economics at University of Chicago and other noted subjects at LSE, UCL, and Imperial College,” Dr Virachai proudly says. 17
about our Founder & Chairman While the schools’ reputations soared, Dr Virachai saw another opportunity to offer students in Thailand. “We were looking for something stunning to bring to Bangkok,” he says, “and that’s how we started the University of London International programmes.” Regent’s International College launched the University of London Thailand Teaching Support Centre to offer the brilliant young minds of Bangkok and ASEAN the chance to study at one of the most esteemed universities in the world without having to leave their home in ASEAN. “The one major feature is that the curriculum is set by the University of London and London School of Economics (LSE),” Dr Virachai says. “LSE actually dictates what students study.” UOL-LSE provides the curriculum, supporting literature and final exams to students working toward their Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics, Management, Science or Social Science. Students can even participate in the graduation ceremony in London. “It’s almost exactly the same as 18
you are studying in England,” Dr Virachai says. “The difference is that it’s going to cost you two million Baht per year there on living, accommodation and tuition. Here, it’s only going to cost you about one fourth of that.” Students with their sights set on living abroad also benefit from the programme. After passing their first year at the UOL-LSE Centre in Bangkok, they can go on to study in London for their second year, or transfer their credits to one of the 75 locations with similar UOLLSE programmes like Singapore and Hong Kong.
Dr. Virachai Techavijit
“You could really see the world whilst you are finishing up your degree,” Dr Virachai says. “It’s quite interesting – there’s a lot of flexibility there.” A student’s hard work is awarded with a degree from University of London and LSE. “The degree issued is going to be like one from the University of London, without saying Bangkok Centre or saying overseas centre,” Dr Virachai explains. “It simply says University of London directed by LSE gives you this degree.” This small detail makes for a big impact in a graduate’s future. A degree from LSE sends a clear message to
prospective employers around the world. For students who aren’t quite ready for the BSc programme, Regent’s International College also offers the UOL’s International Foundation Programme (IFP). This route gives students one year to develop the academic confidence they need to be successful once they enter university. These UOL-LSE programmes are changing the face of education in Thailand. The race to compete with Singapore, where nearly 10,000 students are currently registered at the UOL centre, has just begun; the Singaporean government realised long ago that parents no longer have to send their children overseas to obtain a world-class education and that education didn’t have to cost a fortune. With passionate leaders in education like Dr Virachai pushing for young people to not only earn prestigious degrees, but become naturally curious, lifelong learners; everyone seems to win. ricbkk.com/UniversityofLondon FROM THE PAGES OF
June 2016
19 A
about our Founder & Chairman
THE
REGENT’S SCHOOLS CHAIRMAN gives lecture at CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY
D
r. Virachai Techavijit, Chairman of The Regent’s Schools, in cooperation with Cambridge University’s Faculty of Education, led the Global Student Education Forum (GSEF 2011) in a lecture on “Is Education Effective in Tackling Collective Corruption?” to scholars and students at Cambridge University, United Kingdom. In the lecture, Dr.Virachai pointed out three elements to success
20
in tackling collective corruption. They are the government’s faithful intention to educational reform, readily available effective blue prints to strengthen youth ethics and the mechanism built into the constitution to prevent a new government from destroying those blue prints. For the complete article please go to www.regents.ac.th/CambridgeTalk
Dr. Virachai Techavijit
Dr. Virachai giving his lecture at Cambridge
Dr. Virachai Techavijit and Dr. Richard Higginson working together to oppose corruption
FROM THE PAGES OF
January 26, 2012 p. 130
21
A
about our Founder & Chairman
Oxford University Hosts Thailand Education Seminar
D
r. Virachai Techavijit, Chairman of the Regent’s Schools, presented a seminar to Oxford University graduate students and senior educators in March 2007. The University’s Department of Educational Studies had invited Dr. Virachai to its hallowed halls to talk about “The International Schools Phenomenon in Thailand and the Implementation of the International Baccalaureate”. The seminar was also attended by administrators of international educational institutes from around the UK and beyond.
22
Dr. Virachai, a pioneer of international education in South East Asia, spoke about state education in Thailand, and then talked of the socio-economic and enlightened political conditions behind the exponential growth of international schools, which have risen in number from just five in 1992 to 109 in 2007. One of the earliest and most significant educational factors behind the rise, Dr. Virachai explained, was the perceived need for English proficiency among a new middle class, which recognizes English as the language of global trade. Parents also want their children to be able to network
Dr. Virachai Techavijit
socially on an international basis. Dr. Virachai also drew attention to an ‘ almost seismic shift’ in parental preference in how their children are educated, from ‘end product’ to ‘process’. He said that modern international schools such as the Regent’s embrace an approach that marries the best traditions of the East with innovations from the West, in an international setting. One happy consequence of quality international education, Dr. Virachai said, is the mature level of international understanding imparted to students, who are the future leaders and guardians of the world. This particular benefit, he said, might well be universal.
For the complete script please go to www.regents.ac.th/oxfordtalk
One happy consequence of quality international education, Dr. Virachai said, is the mature level of international understanding imparted to students...
The second half of Dr. Virachai’s lecture featured a detailed explanation of the International Baccalaureate Organisation’s Diploma Programme, which is offered to students in the last two years of high school. Following the seminar, the audience (many of whom were involved in relevant research) sparked a discussion on the balance of academic and humanitarian education best suited to producing wellrounded leaders. 23
about our Founder & Chairman
Keeping ‘em glued to their seats Thai educator delivers engrossing lecture in Oxford’s hallowed halls
S
till glowing from the success of a recent talk he gave at Oxford University is Dr. Virachai Techavijit, chairman of the Regent’s Schools in Thailand. At the invitation of the University’s Department of Educational Studies, he facilitated a public seminar there on the topic,“ The International Schools Phenomenon in Thailand and the Implementation of the International Baccalaureate”. The event was attended by graduate students and senior educators from the university plus administrators of international educational institutes from the UK and beyond.
24
Dr.Virachai with Prof. Dr.John Furlong, Director, Department of Educational Studies, University of Oxford.
After addressing the subject of state-run education in Thailand, Dr. Virachai went on to describe the socio-economic and political conditions that have led to a major growth spurt in the international-school sector in the Kingdom; from just five such establishments back in 1992, the number has now reached 109. One of the earliest and most significant educational factors, he explained, was the perceived need among Thailand’s growing middle class for greater proficiency in English. The jump in demand for this type of school has also stemmed from parents wishing their children to be able to network socially with peers from other countries.
Dr. Virachai Techavijit
Dr.Virachai with former students of The Regent’s, Eff (Warwick), Natthapoj (Oxford, Kellog Col.) and Jaanika Vider (Oxford, St.Peters Col.)
The second half of Dr. Virachai’s lecture featured a remarkably detailed explanation of the International Baccalaureate Organisation’s (www.ibo. org) Diploma Programme, a grueling yet highly rewarding course, leading to a pre-university qualification, which is offered to students in the last two years of secondary school. His talk elicited some interesting questions from the floor which developed into a lively discussion of related issues including the positive and negative impacts of international schools on local culture and values.
Oxford graduates, though known for their curiosity and intellectual rigour, are not among the world’s most patient audiences, it would seem. Dr. Virachai’s lecture and discussion was supposed to last 90 minutes, with a bit of extra time scheduled for wrapping up the exchange. So he can afford to feel a little proud of the fact that not a single person left the auditorium before the session concluded. Anyone interested in the full text of Dr. Virachai’s talk can read it on: www.regents.ac.th/oxfordtalk FROM THE PAGES OF
May 14, 2007/May 21, 200725 p. 87
about our Founder & Chairman
Happy graduates celebrating
Regent's International School, Bangkok 26
Regent's International School, Pattaya
Dr. Virachai Techavijit
A celebration in honour of the His Majesty the late King's birthday
Barnardiston Hall in the UK, one of the UK experience destinations offered at Regent's School
Regent’s Outdoor International Study Centre on Koh Chang
27
The Regent's International School, Bangkok 601/99 Pracha-Uthit Road, Wangthonglang, Bangkok 10310 Thailand (+66) 02 957 5777 www.regents.ac.th enquiry@regents.ac.th