BANGKOK: Thailand’s Ambassador to Qatar Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum was welcomed by Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) Dean Dr. James Reardon-Anderson this week. They discussed opportunities for educational cooperation between GU-Q and the Royal Thai Embassy in Qatar. Chaiyindeepum also presented Dr Reardon-Anderson with books on Thai and Southeast Asian history and the sufficiency economy philosophy of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Thailand provides scholarship opportunities for the country’s brightest students to study abroad in fields ranging from law to economics, administration, social science and languages. Thanks to this support, Thai student Mueanrawee Thaneetho (SFS ’18) is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service at GU-Q, where she is majoring in Culture and Politics. After completing her degree, she will return to Thailand to work for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which already employs many Georgetown alumni.
“Georgetown has a long-running relationship with the Kingdom of Thailand and we look forward to continued collaboration in the future,” said Dr Reardon-Anderson. “Bringing together students from around the world and exposing them to different histories and cultures is what contributes to our diverse and dynamic student experience at Georgetown in Qatar,” he added. “We are interested in working together to build an understanding of Southeast Asia among students and academics in Qatar,” said Ambassador Chaiyindeepum.
“Partnerships with universities such as Georgetown can help us reach this goal in the country and beyond.” Topics discussed in the meeting included developments impacting Thailand politically and economically, regional challenges in Southeast Asia, presidential elections in the US and the growth of Thailand’s hospitality and tourism industries. It was Chaiyindeepum’s first visit to GU-Q’s campus since taking over as ambassador earlier this year. He served as minister and deputy chief of mission of Thailand in New Delhi prior to taking up the position in Qatar.
