By: Amanda Townshend and Dennes Bergado Jr.
Here at the AIT School of Management (SOM), we proudly celebrate the achievements of our global alumni community. Among them is Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chonnatcha Kungwansupaphan, PhD Class of 2012, who has recently been appointed Dean of the School of Management at Rajabhat Surin. Her appointment reflects both her dedication to academic excellence and the strong tradition of leadership fostered at SOM. As she takes on this important role, she continues to represent the impact of SOM graduates across academia and beyond.
We also had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Chonnatcha about her journey and experiences. Read the interview below to learn more about her path and insights.
1) You were a SOM student and graduated with a PhD in 2012, Can I ask why you chose to study at AIT? Was there any specific reason that made you decide to conduct your research here?
I was a SOM student and graduated with a PhD in 2012. I first heard about AIT from a
friend who was pursuing a PhD at the School of Environment, Resources and Development. She told me about her studies and research, which piqued my interest and inspired me to pursue a PhD at AIT. So I researched more about the institution and found that AIT is a highly internationalized institution, a quality I aspire to cultivate in myself. At that time, I was just beginning my career as a university lecturer. At that time, I was just beginning my career as a university lecturer. Pursuing a doctoral degree was crucial for my career advancement. Choosing an institution that could guarantee sustainable academic progress was something I highly valued, and AIT was my first choice.
2) "Exploring entrepreneurs’ human capital components and effects on learning
orientation in early internationalizing firms" was your research thesis. What was the
purpose of the thesis and what did you want to influence with your research?
This topic stems from a literature review related to the disciplines I teach at my
university, namely international business management and entrepreneurship. The literature
review at that time led me to discover my interest in researching "international
entrepreneurship" which was relatively new and had very little research in Thailand at that time. In particular, research on early internationalization firms was extensively studied in many countries, but very little research was conducted in Thailand. This research thesis aims to analyze the influences of entrepreneurs’ human capital components on learning orientation of entrepreneurs in early internationalizing firms in Thailand. By develop an integrated model in this research, it explains how entrepreneurs’ human capital components influence learning orientation in early internationalizing firms in Thailand. The research also highlights the critical importance of investing in the development of international skills, knowledge, and competencies among Thai early internationalized entrepreneurs to strengthen firms’ competitiveness in global markets.
3) Let's talk about your most recent achievement, being promoted to the position of Dean
of the School of Management at Rajabhat Surin. What was your reaction when you first
heard the announcement? Was this a life goal that you planned to achieve or was it an
achievement that culminates your life experience? In other words, what led you on this
journey to obtain the honorable position of Dean?
I began my career with a strong foundation in research, academic exploration, curriculum
development, and networking at various levels—community, national, and international—which broadened my perspective on academic quality, innovation, and collaboration. Over time, the tangible results of my work have been recognized by colleagues, administrators, and my network. They saw my commitment and vision in raising academic standards, empowering faculty and students, and connecting faculty to the changing context of modern education and real social challenges. At the same time, I realized that sustainable change in higher education requires not only scholarly contribution but also strategic leadership. If I want to see change in an organization, simply taking action may not be enough. But if I were the leader of the organization, I could create change and a much clearer impact.
It can be said that my journey to the prestigious position of Dean was not driven by
personal ambition for title or status, but rather by a genuine desire to create meaningful change that would lead to the development and strengthening of the faculty. This aspiration has been rooted in my long-term commitment to academic advancement and my strong emphasis on generating tangible impact through concrete actions and outcomes. My diverse achievements and extensive experience across multiple domains, the trust that has been placed in me, and my clear vision for guiding the faculty to keep pace with the evolving landscape of contemporary education have all been key factors in the University’s decision to appoint me as Dean.
4) Now that you are a Dean of the School of Management in Surin province, where do you
see yourself in the next 5-10 years? What are you still planning to achieve and how do you
see yourself reaching your goals?
Looking ahead, my goal is to develop the potential of the people in the Faculty of
Management Sciences and to see them lead the faculty to continued strength and success. This will be a result of the systems I have established and the preparation I have provided for the next generation to take over and continue the work, developing and fostering growth for the faculty and the university. I also intend to mentor the next generation of scholars and academic leaders, fostering a culture of strategic thinking, research excellence, and community engagement. To reach these goals, I will continue building strong research networks, securing competitive funding, as well as promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.
5) Do you have any words of advice for any of our PhD students who are about to start
their career paths? What kind of difficulties did you face in your career journey and how
did you overcome them?
My advice for PhD students who are about to start their career paths is, first and
foremost, to cultivate resilience and consistency. Academic success is rarely immediate.
Publications may be rejected, grants may not be funded, and projects may face obstacles. What differentiates successful scholars is persistence and the willingness to continuously refine their work. My second advice is to maintain integrity and purpose. Let your research contribute not only to academic metrics but also to society development, policy improvement, and organizational advancement. Keep in mind that a sustainable academic career is built on meaningful contribution, not only achievement in publication.
Throughout my career, one of the main challenges was balancing multiple roles—as a
researcher, lecturer, project leader, and later as an academic administrator. Each role demands time, emotional energy, and strategic thinking. Managing these responsibilities while maintaining research productivity required strong prioritization and disciplined time management. Ultimately, perseverance, continuous learning, collaboration, and a strong commitment to community oriented scholarship enabled me to move forward. Every difficulty became a stepping stone that strengthened both my academic leadership and my sense of purpose.
We would like to sincerely thank Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chonnatcha Kungwansupaphan for taking the time for this interview and being an inspiration to our future graduates. Have a look at her socials and see the success of our esteemed alumni:
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