From left, Wanarat; Burggren; Michael Monticino, vice president for advancement; Art Goven, professor and interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Charnvit Krairiksh, deputy director general, Thai Office of the Civil Service Commission; Porpun Waitayangkoon, College of Education alumna and president of the Thai Ministry of Education, Institute for Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology; Rawlins; and Nader. (Photo by Alis Jaroonsriwattana)

To better serve international recruitment, growing research activities and the more than 1,000 alumni in Thailand, UNT opened an office in Bangkok in November. The presence will provide a base for recruiting students and further partnership development in Thailand and Southeast Asia.

"There is a growing number of quality prospective students in the region," says Richard Nader, vice provost for international affairs. "UNT's academic portfolio and research strengths match the interests of many students there."

The new UNT Bangkok office will lead efforts to attract collaboration and to support development of programs for UNT faculty and students.

"In addition to recruiting, we want our university partners in Southeast Asia to know we are there for them, to support UNT's global teaching and research agenda," says Warren Burggren, provost and vice president for academic affairs.

UNT recently recommitted to its partnership with Mahidol University, and President V. Lane Rawlins signed a new agreement with Chulalongkorn University.

UNT also hosted a banquet for alumni living in Thailand, attended by more than 120 alumni. Rawlins presented a Presidential UNT Service Citation to the Thai Alumni Network and recognized University Alumni Ambassadors selected by each UNT college for their academic achievements and service.

"Our alumni in Thailand have been outstanding in their support for UNT, " Rawlins says. "We are pleased to recognize our Thai Alumni Network and new university ambassadors who will promote mutually beneficial research and student exchanges."

Among the distinguished alumni living and working in Thailand are Charn Uswachoke ('73 M.B.A.), chair of BBUCH Holding Company Ltd., and Pradit Wanarat ('94 Ph.D.), vice president at the National Institute for Development Administration in Thailand.