Mittraphab "Poom" Sangruang
Chair - International Student Committee (ISC)
Mittraphab is the Chair of the Thai Australian Chamber’s International Student Committee (ISC). He is currently studying Law at Melbourne University while working as a volunteer teacher at the Thai Language School of Melbourne. Mittraphab is working in several roles at the Thai school from Vice Principal, Child Safety Officer and Teacher.
Things you’ve done in business:
“Every day, we make choices that impact the future, hopefully with the goal of bettering it for those to come. Nowhere is this more evident than in education. For my entire adult life, I’ve had the honour of working with Thai language education to help create better futures for my students. I think of language as a key, one that can open many doors. A grasp of language is integral to accessing aspects of identity, culture and heritage, as well as cleaving open new opportunities, both domestic and abroad. Creating an environment where my students can craft their own keys for a better future, enhanced by better self-understanding has been a joy in the most absolute terms. In my current role as the Vice Principal of the largest provider of Thai language education in Victoria, I have championed this philosophy, in part by elevating the importance of seeing oneself in the rich mosaic of Thai culture
in our curricula. I bring this passion with me to my work with the TAC.”
What do you hope to achieve for the Thai community?
“Recognition and opportunities. The Thai community in Australia comprises a non- insignificant portion of the wider community. We are doctors, teachers, lawyers, business owners - the list is long and the impact is incalculable. Thai people have so much to offer and I would
like to see our contributions highlighted and our culture celebrated. I also believe these contributions could be magnified with access to the right opportunities in education and employment.”
How will your committee run?
“I see the TAC International Student Committee less as ‘my’ committee, and more as ‘our’ committee. I envision collectively-formed goals and programs that achieve our shared ethos, not that of one person. My experience is not the definitive Thai/International student experience, so I alone should not dictate our work. My role is, and shall remain, to facilitate and channel action to efficiently and comprehensively serve our community.”
What is your connection to Thailand?
“I was born and raised in Thailand until I
moved to Australia in primary school. I hold my experiences back home, steeped in love, tradition and culture, close and dear to my heart, and every time I use my language, I am transported there, if only for a moment. Thailand will always be a part of me and I one of her children. In brief: my family is Thai, my heritage is Thai, I am Thai.”
Student Committee Aims
Formation of International Student Committee: Chair, Deputy Chair, Events Management, Translation Services, Student Council, Administration (i .e .student visas) and Marketing.
Place information re: TAC and Committee into International Student Desk info at Melbourne Airport;
Creating and distributing an index of volunteering opportunities with Thai organisations which could be expanded to include either services or contacts
to health services and support for victims of domestic or sexual violence;
Education forum;
Establishing a ‘Buddy System’ for students who wish to study in Australia. It would pair a student in Thailand with a Thai student already studying here, ideally at the former’s target university;
Seek bilateral relations with all communities i.e. Thai-Sri Lankan; Thai-Chinese; Thai-Indian etc
International Student event across multiple universities: to tell students who you are; meet and greet others; info on visas etc.;
Employability workshops to assist students in developing their resume/CV and cover letter writing skills;
Program with schools to visit the Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra to tour and learn about the Embassy;
Marketing: formation of student Facebook, Twitter etc.
Student Member book with info on each student, how they relate to Thailand, what they are studying etc.
Mittraphab "Poom" Sangruang
Chair - International Student Committee (ISC)
Mittraphab is the Chair of the Thai Australian Chamber’s International Student Committee (ISC). He is currently studying Law at Melbourne University while working as a volunteer teacher at the Thai Language School of Melbourne. Mittraphab is working in several roles at the Thai school from Vice Principal, Child Safety Officer and Teacher.
Things you’ve done in business:
“Every day, we make choices that impact the future, hopefully with the goal of bettering it for those to come. Nowhere is this more evident than in education. For my entire adult life, I’ve had the honour of working with Thai language education to help create better futures for my students. I think of language as a key, one that can open many doors. A grasp of language is integral to accessing aspects of identity, culture and heritage, as well as cleaving open new opportunities, both domestic and abroad. Creating an environment where my students can craft their own keys for a better future, enhanced by better self-understanding has been a joy in the most absolute terms. In my current role as the Vice Principal of the largest provider of Thai language education in Victoria, I have championed this philosophy, in part by elevating the importance of seeing oneself in the rich mosaic of Thai culture
in our curricula. I bring this passion with me to my work with the TAC.”
What do you hope to achieve for the Thai community?
“Recognition and opportunities. The Thai community in Australia comprises a non- insignificant portion of the wider community. We are doctors, teachers, lawyers, business owners - the list is long and the impact is incalculable. Thai people have so much to offer and I would
like to see our contributions highlighted and our culture celebrated. I also believe these contributions could be magnified with access to the right opportunities in education and employment.”
How will your committee run?
“I see the TAC International Student Committee less as ‘my’ committee, and more as ‘our’ committee. I envision collectively-formed goals and programs that achieve our shared ethos, not that of one person. My experience is not the definitive Thai/International student experience, so I alone should not dictate our work. My role is, and shall remain, to facilitate and channel action to efficiently and comprehensively serve our community.”
What is your connection to Thailand?
“I was born and raised in Thailand until I
moved to Australia in primary school. I hold my experiences back home, steeped in love, tradition and culture, close and dear to my heart, and every time I use my language, I am transported there, if only for a moment. Thailand will always be a part of me and I one of her children. In brief: my family is Thai, my heritage is Thai, I am Thai.”
Student Committee Aims
Formation of International Student Committee: Chair, Deputy Chair, Events Management, Translation Services, Student Council, Administration (i .e .student visas) and Marketing.
Place information re: TAC and Committee into International Student Desk info at Melbourne Airport;
Creating and distributing an index of volunteering opportunities with Thai organisations which could be expanded to include either services or contacts
to health services and support for victims of domestic or sexual violence;
Education forum;
Establishing a ‘Buddy System’ for students who wish to study in Australia. It would pair a student in Thailand with a Thai student already studying here, ideally at the former’s target university;
Seek bilateral relations with all communities i.e. Thai-Sri Lankan; Thai-Chinese; Thai-Indian etc
International Student event across multiple universities: to tell students who you are; meet and greet others; info on visas etc.;
Employability workshops to assist students in developing their resume/CV and cover letter writing skills;
Program with schools to visit the Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra to tour and learn about the Embassy;
Marketing: formation of student Facebook, Twitter etc.
Student Member book with info on each student, how they relate to Thailand, what they are studying etc.
Mittraphab "Poom" Sangruang
Chair - International Student Committee (ISC)
Mittraphab is the Chair of the Thai Australian Chamber’s International Student Committee (ISC). He is currently studying Law at Melbourne University while working as a volunteer teacher at the Thai Language School of Melbourne. Mittraphab is working in several roles at the Thai school from Vice Principal, Child Safety Officer and Teacher.
Things you’ve done in business:
“Every day, we make choices that impact the future, hopefully with the goal of bettering it for those to come. Nowhere is this more evident than in education. For my entire adult life, I’ve had the honour of working with Thai language education to help create better futures for my students. I think of language as a key, one that can open many doors. A grasp of language is integral to accessing aspects of identity, culture and heritage, as well as cleaving open new opportunities, both domestic and abroad. Creating an environment where my students can craft their own keys for a better future, enhanced by better self-understanding has been a joy in the most absolute terms. In my current role as the Vice Principal of the largest provider of Thai language education in Victoria, I have championed this philosophy, in part by elevating the importance of seeing oneself in the rich mosaic of Thai culture
in our curricula. I bring this passion with me to my work with the TAC.”
What do you hope to achieve for the Thai community?
“Recognition and opportunities. The Thai community in Australia comprises a non- insignificant portion of the wider community. We are doctors, teachers, lawyers, business owners - the list is long and the impact is incalculable. Thai people have so much to offer and I would
like to see our contributions highlighted and our culture celebrated. I also believe these contributions could be magnified with access to the right opportunities in education and employment.”
How will your committee run?
“I see the TAC International Student Committee less as ‘my’ committee, and more as ‘our’ committee. I envision collectively-formed goals and programs that achieve our shared ethos, not that of one person. My experience is not the definitive Thai/International student experience, so I alone should not dictate our work. My role is, and shall remain, to facilitate and channel action to efficiently and comprehensively serve our community.”
What is your connection to Thailand?
“I was born and raised in Thailand until I
moved to Australia in primary school. I hold my experiences back home, steeped in love, tradition and culture, close and dear to my heart, and every time I use my language, I am transported there, if only for a moment. Thailand will always be a part of me and I one of her children. In brief: my family is Thai, my heritage is Thai, I am Thai.”
Student Committee Aims
Formation of International Student Committee: Chair, Deputy Chair, Events Management, Translation Services, Student Council, Administration (i .e .student visas) and Marketing.
Place information re: TAC and Committee into International Student Desk info at Melbourne Airport;
Creating and distributing an index of volunteering opportunities with Thai organisations which could be expanded to include either services or contacts
to health services and support for victims of domestic or sexual violence;
Education forum;
Establishing a ‘Buddy System’ for students who wish to study in Australia. It would pair a student in Thailand with a Thai student already studying here, ideally at the former’s target university;
Seek bilateral relations with all communities i.e. Thai-Sri Lankan; Thai-Chinese; Thai-Indian etc
International Student event across multiple universities: to tell students who you are; meet and greet others; info on visas etc.;
Employability workshops to assist students in developing their resume/CV and cover letter writing skills;
Program with schools to visit the Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra to tour and learn about the Embassy;
Marketing: formation of student Facebook, Twitter etc.
Student Member book with info on each student, how they relate to Thailand, what they are studying etc.