Professor Dr. Wichit Srisa-an, Founding President of AUAP passes away

I on my and on behalf of the President and the Association of the Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP) express profound shock and grief at the demise of Professor Dr. Wichit Srisa-an, Founding President of AUAP, Emeritus Chair of the AUAP Advisory Council, Former Rector of SUT and Chairman of SUT Council.

Late Professor Dr. Wichit Srisa-an, who was also Thailand’s former Minister of Education, was a prominent and respectable figure in the education administration, development, reform, and innovation in Thailand and across the world. Permanent Secretary of the Minister of University Affairs, Member of the Senate, Member of the House of Representatives, and Chairman of the House Committee on Education in the National Parliament. Professor Dr. Wichit Srisa-an was bestowed the title ‘Father of Thai Cooperative Education’ by the Ministry of Education for his introduction of Cooperative Education as an education innovation in Thailand.

Recently, he established Engagement Thailand with the Knowledge Network Institute of Thailand (KNIT), he established 3 universities in Thailand including Thailand’s first distance education university, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), Walailak University (WU) apart from SUT and has also been the Founding President of the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU). He had received many international recognitions and accolades for this pioneering role and had been invited to give keynote speeches and talks on university-community engagement both at national and international events.

The Association of the Universities of Asia and the Pacific conveys its deepest condolences to the family of Late Professor Dr. Wichit Srisa-an. As a tribute to his life and legacy, we will initiate a fellowship in his fond memory and would rededicate to fulfill the vision and mission of AUAP set forth by the Founding President.

Anoop Swarup

Secretary-General, AUAP