Written by Colin McEvoy | August 26, 2025 | SHARE
Lehigh’s partnership with the Royal Thai Scholars Program has created a strong alumni network in Thailand, where graduates now lead major government agencies, research institutes, and universities in science and technology.
Thawatchai Onjun ‘04 Ph.D. is Executive Director of the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology, one of the country’s most prestigious government research agencies for nuclear science and technology. His wife, Orasa Onjun ‘04 Ph.D., is Director of the Institute of Standard Development and Conformity Assessment for the Thai government.
They both earned advanced degrees at Lehigh University.
“Lehigh prepared me exceptionally well—not only academically, but also socially and professionally,” said Thawatchai, who earned a Ph.D. in Physics at Lehigh. “Through campus activities and international conferences, I built lasting connections that continue to support my work today, especially in global collaborations with colleagues in the U.S., Europe, and Japan.”
Thawatchai and Orasa are among dozens of Thai alumni who attended Lehigh through the Royal Thai Scholars Program, a prestigious, century-old initiative that funds the overseas education of Thailand’s most promising scholars.
The program has enabled Thai students to study at top institutions around the world, with many choosing Lehigh. Over the life of the program, 37 Thai students have attended Lehigh, placing the university among the top 10 in the United States for hosting Royal Thai Scholars.
Building Global Connections Through Science
The Thai Government Scholarship in Science and Technology, sponsored by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, provides full grants for international students in degree and mobility programs. The program develops talent in science and technology, strengthens Thai education, and advances national research and innovation capacity.
Lehigh has been recruiting Royal Thai scholars since the early 2000s, with many earning master’s degrees or Ph.D.s across disciplines. As a result, Lehigh now boasts a remarkably strong alumni network in Thailand, with many in senior positions at national laboratories, universities, and research institutions.
One such alum is Pisist Kumnorkaew ‘12 Ph.D., Research Director at the National Nanotechnology Center (Nanotech) in Thailand. Kumnorkaew. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and completed postdoctoral research at Lehigh, and now oversees four laboratories focused on graphene, nano-composites, nano-agriculture, and nano-coatings.
“International engagement is a big part of Lehigh University’s identity,” said Kumnorkaew, who remains actively involved with Lehigh’s alumni network in Thailand. “We need more Thai students to go to Lehigh. We want new students to continue the pride of Lehigh.”
Prestigious Scholars
Kumnorkaew encouraged other Royal Thai Scholars to attend Lehigh, including Thitiporn Kaewpetch, who earned her Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering at the university. She is now a faculty member at the Department of Packaging and Materials Technology at Kasetsart University in Thailand.
Kumnorkaew also works at Nanotech alongside Tanyakorn Muangnapoh ‘15 Ph.D., a fellow Royal Thai Scholar who earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at Lehigh. In addition to serving as a Senior Researcher at Nanotech, Muangnapoh leads Nano Coating Tech Co., a startup incubated within the institute that specializes in nano-coating technology.
The Royal Thai program selects high-achieving students through a competitive process of exams and interviews to sponsor undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral studies abroad. The scholarship fully covers tuition, room and board, stipends, and more, on the condition that recipients return to Thailand to work after completing their education.
Administered by the Royal Thai Government and overseen by the Thai Office of the Civil Service Commission, the program has produced high-impact professionals across science, academia, government, and entrepreneurship, according to Cheryl Matherly, Vice President & Vice Provost for International Affairs at Lehigh.
“Lehigh’s strong record of student placement and alumni achievement has established it as a valued partner in advancing Thailand’s scientific and research capacity,” Matherly said. “The strength of our Thai alumni network reflects the long-term value of this partnership for both the university and the country.”
A Foundation for Career Success
Duangmanee Wongratanaphisan ‘03 Ph.D., Director of the Thailand Center of Excellence in Physics, also earned her Ph.D. in Physics at Lehigh through the Royal Thai program. Her studies gave her the opportunity to collaborate with leading international research institutions, including the Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York, Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, and Laboratoire Léon Brillouin in France.
“I had an excellent academic experience at Lehigh, with courses that helped strengthen my foundation in physics and that opened doors for my career,” Wongratanaphisan said. “The high academic standards had me challenged (and) the strong support from faculty throughout the process prepared me well to excel.”
Matherly visited Thailand in January along with Stephen DeWeerth, Dean of the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. They reestablished connections with the Royal Thai program, met with officials from the Royal Thai Government Scholarship Program, and hosted a network dinner with more than 30 Lehigh alumni.
“It’s incredible to see how much influence Lehigh has within Thailand’s research infrastructure, especially given our size,” Matherly said. “The alumni network that has been created as a result of our longstanding partnership with this program is truly remarkable.”
During the visit, Matherly met with Uma Seeboonruang ‘00G, a faculty member at the School of Engineering at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL). Another Royal Thai program alum, Seeboonruang earned her master’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Lehigh before completing her Ph.D. in the same field at UC Davis.
The connection fostered between Matherly and Seeboonruang could lead to new partnerships. She sees strong potential for collaboration between KMITL and Lehigh, particularly with the Rossin College. KMITL’s School of Engineering currently offers 12 international programs and enrolls approximately 600 students per year from more than 25 countries.
“I think it’s a very positive thing that we have a lot of Lehigh alumni in Thailand,” Seeboonruang said. “It will foster future collaborations among Lehigh and Thai professionals from institutions, and I’m sure there will be even more connections in the future.”
An Enduring Partnership
Lehigh’s relationship with the Royal Thai program began more than two decades ago, thanks in large part to John Coulter, Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Research. In the early 2000s, Coulter was among a small group of representatives from U.S. universities invited to meet Thai scholarship finalists in Bangkok, where he shared information about Lehigh’s academic strengths.
He also participated in government-organized educational fairs, promoting Lehigh to thousands of prospective students. These trips soon became an annual event, and Coulter returned year after year with dozens of Ph.D. applications from Thai students, particularly in engineering, chemistry, physics, education, and psychology.
“They’re such incredible students; their work ethic, integrity, and honesty is just amazing,” Coulter said. “They love Lehigh and really feel they benefited from being here, and so they’ve continued to help our outreach efforts in Thailand by hosting open house events and information sessions.”
As Lehigh’s success with the program became more visible, more universities joined in. Coulter said the number of participating institutions grew from about a dozen to more than 250, creating more competition for top students. Still, he remains confident in Lehigh’s ability to attract new scholars based on its strong track record with the Royal Thai program.
“I truly value the professional and personal connections that I formed at Lehigh, which I continue to maintain to this day,” Kumnorkaew said. “I hope our stories will continue to inspire new Thai students to apply to Lehigh and keep that connection strong.”