On 24 June 2025, Khon Kaen University’s Division of Human Resources hosted a full-day workshop entitled “How to Properly Navigate the Academic Promotion Process.” The event, part of the 2025 Personnel Advancement Program for academic and research staff, took place in Room 209 of the College of Local Administration and drew more than 150 lecturers from a wide range of faculties.
Opening the workshop, Vice-President for Human Resources Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pattarawit Pholpinit underlined the university’s commitment to creating clear pathways for career growth. He explained that high-quality scholarship and research are pillars of KKU’s international aspirations, and that systematic support—both technical and motivational—is essential if lecturers are to realise their full potential and contribute to the university’s long-term goals.
The morning keynote, delivered by Prof. Dr. Phadungsak Rattandecho of Thammasat University, traced current and emerging trends in Thailand’s academic-rank system. He clarified evaluation criteria, highlighted common pitfalls, and offered practical advice on ensuring that publications, patents, and community-engagement projects align with official standards.
During the afternoon session, a five-member panel tackled the theme “How to Prepare for Academic Promotion with Quality.” Prof. Dr. Surasak Wongrattanachiwin and Prof. Dr. Supreedee Pinitsoontorn of the Faculty of Science, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chawit Ketkaew and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Paninee Narutharadol of the International College, and Mr. Andrew John Hunt—also of the Faculty of Science—shared strategies for building a robust scholarly profile. They urged participants to model their careers on researchers who maintain a sustained international presence, described the discipline required to attain full professorship before 40, highlighted the value of global and interdisciplinary networks in raising research quality, and explained how to gauge whether one’s body of work meets—or exceeds—the volume and impact benchmarks for each rank.
The professional-development programme continues on 26 June 2025 with an onsite session at the Nong Khai Campus’s Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies. That follow-up event will cover the latest regulations and documentation requirements for promotion and conclude with an “HR KKU Listening Tour,” giving individual faculties a chance to voice concerns and suggest improvements to the current system.
Early-career lecturers Thapanee Wesaratwej and Sasichakorn Wongsaisaichuea of KKU’s International College praised the workshop for clarifying rules they had previously found opaque. Both are preparing to apply for the rank of Assistant Professor and said the insights they gained will also guide their longer-term plans for Associate Professor and Professor. They added that future sessions delivered in English would help international faculty navigate the same process more easily.
Further information on academic promotion criteria within Thai higher education is available at https://hr.kku.ac.th/wphrdkku/?page_id=2732.
