PRINCE OF PREMIUM JEANS
Mahidol University International College (MUIC) has a new magazine, MUIC 360°. It will serve as MUIC’s print and online media platform positioned to offer reading fare beyond reportage of events in the College.
MUIC 360° will discuss issues in Thailand and abroad that have a significant impact on the lives of MUIC’s community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. More importantly, we will ask MUIC’s faculty and alumni to lend their expertise on issues that fall within their respective specializations. We will also hear more from our students as they share to us their thoughts not only about student life but matters that concern the MUIC community as well.
Make MUIC 360° part of your reading fare.
FOUNDING FATHER
Dr. Smith’s Food for Thought
Act as if you have free will, and be responsible for everything that you do. If you have good opportunities (e.g. jobs, travel) when you are young then do take them: when you get older practical difficulties may interfere with your plans and hopes. Be idealistic and practical. Remember that we can only lead our own lives (for better or worse). We can’t live other people’s. Try to make your life meaningful and useful. Source: https://icpetermahidol.wordpress.com/2017/02/20/my-advice-to-my-younger-self/
You might mistake him for Gandalf, that old and wise wizard from the Lord of the Rings, with his graying beard and eyebrows and his eyes with those mischievous glint. But for his colleagues and students in Mahidol University International College (MUIC)—indeed its hundreds of alumni—he is one of the pillars of the college. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Peter Smith is not just the longest-serving faculty member in MUIC, he was also there in the very beginning, a member of the committee that planned the establishment of Mahidol University’s International Students’ Degree Program (ISDP) which later on grew up into MUIC.
Armed with a Ph.D. degree in Sociology of Religion from the University of Lancaster in the UK, he came to Mahidol University in 1985 to teach at the Department of Humanities of the Social Science Faculty. With his pioneering work in helping form ISDP, he was soon teaching there and developing its initial course catalogue. “We were like a big family,” he reminisced. Everyone knew everyone else.”
As a lecturer, is he strict or lenient? “I set high standards but, at the same time, I try to be very approachable and funny. My main job is to encourage students to work hard, to answer their questions, and maybe entertain them a bit,” he said.
And just because he comes from an earlier generation does not mean he is a Luddite. In fact, he has his own blog, has a Facebook account, even created several Facebook fan pages to reach out to his students. He even produced scores of YouTube videos to supplement his lectures.
Aside from delivering lectures, Dr. Smith also held several administrative positions over the years—as Division Chairman and Social Science Program Director and as Deputy Director of MUIC.
“A good administrator brings out the best of the people he’s working with and treats them as colleagues, not as subordinates,” he said.
Dr. Smith retired from full-time status in 2013 but still teaches, albeit on a part-time capacity. As MUIC’s most senior academic, what would be his advice to lecturers who are just starting their own career? “Listen to your students. And have high standards. Don’t compromise your standards. Insist on high standards.”
CATALYST FO CHANGE
Ms. Arthitaya or Prim
Being both a good follower and an effective leader, Ms. Arthitaya Rusmintratip has chalked up quite a long list of accomplishments in her three years of study at Mahidol University International College (MUIC). From exchanging well-crafted arguments against the best debaters in Thailand and Asia to winning in business case competitions, Ms. Arthitaya or Prim to her friends has also successfully led victorious science competition teams and organized successful national debate tournaments. MUIC 360° interviews the 20-year old Finance student about her thoughts on leadership.
How do you define a leader?
A catalyst.
How do you balance your studies and your extra-curricular activities?
It’s hard. Sometimes, I take more than I can handle, and I think it involves a bit of trial and error. I consistently have to monitor my own academic performance, extra-curricular performance, and – arguably, the most important – my mental health. Dips in performance or strains in your mental health can be indicators that can tell you whether or not you’ve got too much in your hands. I think everyone needs to find their own way, and it requires introspection.
Biggest challenge you had as a student leader? How did you cope with it?
I was the team leader of Polar Prim & Winions at a business case competition (KPMG). I took a term off to do my internship at a consultancy firm, so I had to juggle working from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm and the business case.
I had great teammates that were both supportive and understanding of my circumstance. Through effective communication, the team was able to be on the same page. I remember sitting down with my team to discuss our approach to the competition only to discover that when you break down the issues into smaller, more manageable chunks, the problem will be less daunting.
Most memorable experience as a student leader?
I was team leader for ICtheFuture in the Invent for the Planet competition. It was memorable because I just had so much fun from throwing around ideas with my friends to coming up with solutions for issues that we genuinely cared about.
Three “must-have” qualities of a student leader?
Ability to empower others and work in a team, kindness, decision-making capabilities.
Your advice to students who also want to become a leader?
Be the kind of leader you want to work under.
DUKE OF CUSTOM DENIMS
Dr. Smith’s Food for Thought
Being both a good follower and an effective leader, Ms. Arthitaya Rusmintratip has chalked up quite a long list of accomplishments in her three years of study at Mahidol University International College (MUIC). From exchanging well-crafted arguments against the best debaters in Thailand and Asia to winning in business case competitions, Ms. Arthitaya or Prim to her friends has also successfully led victorious science competition teams and organized successful national debate tournaments. MUIC 360° interviews the 20-year old Finance student about her thoughts on leadership.
At First, There Was Only Boom And His Friend Who Helped Out In Sales. Now, Six Years Later, Selvedgework Has Three Branches, 17 Staff, And A Brand That Has Quickly Established A Loyal Following. Such Swift Success Can Only Come With The Leadership Qualities That Boom Possesses. For Starters, He Has The Vision. “I’ve Always Dreamed Of Creating My Own Brand, Of Creating Something Out Of Nothing. I Wanted To Be The ‘Best Player In The Game.’” And To Learn More About This Young Business Leader, MUIC 360° Sat Down With Him In His Posh Outlet At Artisans’ Royal Club In Gaysorn Village On Ploenchit Road.
Are you the intuitive or scientific type?
I’m a combination of both. You need intuition and inspiration to get fresh ideas for your business but being scientific about it, like doing research, is also important.
But if you ask me to choose only one, then I’d choose intuition and inspiration. They will keep you going in the long run.
Why did you decide to establish a high-end jeans company rather than a mass-market brand?
For me, there is bigger money in mass-market jeans but I prefer developing a niche brand because it affords me to use my creativity. It gives me more space to develop my own brand (“I want my brand to be the best jeans”), have more control over the production process, have more focus, and more freedom.
How would you describe your management style? Are you the hands-on type? Or do you give your employees a wider room to operate? Why?
A combination of the two. I appreciate the importance of giving my staff more freedom in performing their work but I have to give them guidelines. Too much freedom, too much chill, might cause the quality of our products to suffer. I give more leeway to staff who have been working longer in my company and who are more responsible.
LEADING IN TIMES OF GEN Z
Asst. Prof. Dr. Malinvisa Sakdiyakorn
The truth is that ‘very little is yet known about them in the workplace context’ since most Gen Z are still studying – and they include current MUIC students. It is only wise that organizations prepare their leaders in managing a multi-generational workforce, especially the new and upcoming cohort.
In the years to come, an interesting scene will evolve around Gen Y and their roles in managing Gen Z. Hopefully, Gen X, who will then move into the C-suite level, can serve as effective mentors to Gen Y whose ‘disruptive’ behavior they once experienced.
About the Author
Asst. Prof. Dr. Malinvisa Sakdiyakorn is a faculty member of the Business Administration Division. Her research interests include Strategic Human Resource Management, Organizational Behavior, Leadership, and Diversity Management.
IN THE WORKPLACE: GIRL POWER!
There are, however, bright spots. A study done in 2017 shows that Thai women comprise 45.67% of Thailand’s labor force. On the other hand, it is also notable that Thai women hold 39% of senior positions.
In ASEAN, there has been an increase in migration trends. Women comprise almost half of migrant workers in Southeast Asia, contributing much to the region’s labor markets, production output and remittances. This includes foreign teachers, particularly female Filipino teachers.
Gender equality is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Adopted by world leaders in September 2015, signatory countries pledge to reach these goals in the next 15 years, addressing gender equality and women empowerment among them.
AHEAD OF THE PACK
Assoc. Prof. Chulathida Chomchai, MD, College Dean
