Message from Director

Dr. Ora-orn Poocharoen
Director, School of Public Policy

As we reflect on the past year, I am filled with immense gratitude for the collective efforts that have driven our progress and achievements. Our team’s dedication and passion have been the cornerstone of our success, and I am deeply thankful for their hard work. I would also like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our generous donor, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in enabling us to expand our impact.

I am also profoundly grateful to our Governing Board, the University President, and the Vice Presidents for their guidance and encouragement. Their steadfast support has empowered us to strive for excellence in our endeavors.

This year, we proudly welcomed the largest cohort of Master’s students in our history, a testament to the growing reputation of our programs. We also continue to attract high-caliber PhD students whose research contributes to advancing knowledge and addressing critical policy challenges.

Our work has grown more complex and impactful as we address multifaceted issues such as climate change, disaster management, mental health, spirituality, and transboundary challenges. These areas demand innovative, interdisciplinary approaches, and I am proud of our team’s ability to rise to the occasion.

Looking ahead, we are excited to launch a revised Master’s program focusing on climate and sustainability next year. This program reflects our commitment to equipping future leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle the pressing challenges of our time.

As we move forward, I remain inspired by the collective vision and determination of our team, partners, and supporters. Together, we are building a foundation for a more just and sustainable future.

The School of Public Policy, Chiang Mai University

As the first public policy school in Thailand, we offer a robust graduate and PhD program in public policy while also providing transformative research, policy briefs, and innovative consultancy services.

Our Vision

To be the critical policy hub of collaborative platforms for a just, sustainable future.

Our Mission

1. To train scholars and practitioners

SPP’s students grow toward an acquired capacity for seeing critically beyond known facts that merely support the status quo worldviews and socio-political systems. They understand the intersectionality of deep-rooted public problems and how we are all part of this global dynamic.

2. To generate top quality research

SPP support the idea of well-informed public policies crafted from deliberative platforms that include citizens in the decision-making process and leave nobody behind. We, therefore, produce research and policy briefs that can help enhance public policy decisions in the areas such as urban management, digital society and governance, environment and energy policies.

3. To shape new discourses

In this everchanging world, it is imperative to understand changes in realities of people’s history, communities’ socio-political structures, and belief systems. Thus, SPP strive to advocate for new discourses that shape and reshape our understanding and practices of public policy processes in the world.

Meaning of our Logo

Our logo is a simplified representation of three images: a fingerprint, a tree trunk, and the universe.

The fingerprint symbolizes that our unique approach to policy study and analysis incorporates being innovative and inclusive. Partners that we work with or projects that we work on will be left with our DNA.

The annual ring symbolizes our concern for the environment. Our work focuses on sustainability and resilience, as we grow and accumulate experience it will show in the sophistication and maturity of our thoughts, theories, and practice.

The universe is a perfect system made up of imperfect artifacts and sub—systems. Which is much like the policy universe. There are always areas to tweak and improve. The idea is to trust our knowledge, intuition, and allow for complexities to play its course, while having agency to change where we can.

 

 

Ocean Blue symbolizes the wide and deep connection of the public policy discipline to the world of knowledge and leadership in a combined streams of an interdisciplinary and deep public policy thinking and analysis.

Lime green represents innovative, inclusive, and transformative ideals that the School of Public Policy embodies as hallmarks of progress and sustainability based on mutual respect amongst all things in a world that necessitate ecological, psycho-social, and cultural balance.

The dash of orange represents to flower called flames of the forest, which is. the symbol of our university and Chiang Mai City. It is where we are located, and we are very proud to be part of this wonderful community.

SPP Organization Chart

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