The vision of global education
By Mom Luang Rajadarasri Jayankura |
chinawatch.cn |
Updated: 2019-04-24 13:39
I grew up in a royal diplomatic family in Thailand. My father realized early that China would soon emerge as a superpower and I was enrolled in a Chinese elementary school. I spoke fluent Mandarin when I was young; and when I lived in Hong Kong in the 1990s, and my Mandarin was better than many of its residents. My fluency in Mandarin has had a huge influence on my personal career and international affairs.
In the 1980s, I visited China for the first time and we spent most of our time in Beijing. I remember vividly the sea of bicycles on the roads and only a few vehicles; and everyone wearing the same Mao-style suits.
After a few decades, the most obvious changes are, of course, the highways, high-rise buildings and urban planning, busy and clean cities, colourful and very modern facilities. Especially in recent years, the widespread use of mobile phones has meant there is no difference between rural areas and cities. These changes are the result of outstanding achievements of the reform and opening-up policy.
"Rejuvenating the country through science and education" is one of the most influential policies in the history of mankind. If you compare the numbers of scholars, professors, universities, schools and literacy rates in 1978 and 2018, you can find that China's story in these areas is great success. For example, in the 1980s or even in the 1990s, few Chinese could afford to further their education abroad but now the numbers are phenomenal and many people are flocking back to China, starting businesses or working as executives or even teaching.
Another perspective to chart China's progress in this regard is its opening up to foreign schools. Not only in Beijing or Shanghai, but also even in western China, international schools are increasingly marking their presence, attracting those kids from families which can afford the fees. International education acts as bridge between China -- which has vowed to continue its reform and opening-up drive -- and the rest of the world.
I am very delighted that in this process, the greatest and proudest achievement of my multi-faceted career was bringing the UK-based Harrow International School into Asia.
My country's focus on education began with my great-great-grandfather King Rama IV, King Mongkut of the Kingdom of Thailand who hired the British teacher Anna Leonowens to teach the royal children.
My grandfather knew the importance of Harrow International School, whose mission statement is "Leadership for a better world". Such a mission draws on the great tradition of famous leaders emanating from Harrow such as the late British prime minister Winston Churchill, the late Indian prime minister Pandit Nehru and the late King Hussein of Jordan.
The deeds of my great-great-grandfather were adapted in 1956 into the well known The King and portrayed by Yul Brynner in the movie and in Broadway musicals; and in the 1999 movie version called Anna and the King” was played by the Chinese actor Chow Yun-fat.
As the founder of Harrow International School Thailand, I have continued to to bring Harrow and China closer. During the 40 years of China's opening-up, Harrow has benefited from a series of preferential policies and has established in Beijing (2005), Hong Kong (2012), Shanghai (2016) and one set to start in Shenzhen.
The Harrow International School educates future world leaders, and it is my legacy to leave a world-class educational institution to my country and my second home China. My life and career are closely related to China and its State-owned enterprises. Investing in Chinese education is one of the projects my daughter Rajadasri Valerie Chiu will continue, and open more Harrow International Schools in China. Harrow is a world-class school which has been attended by 23 royal princes of the Kingdom of Thailand, and kings, prime ministers and top leaders of many countries. The establishment of Harrow International Schools in China means that Chinese children can have the opportunity to receive world-class education, and cultivate more new Chinese leaders with a global vision.
The author contributed this article to China Watch exclusively. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of China Watch.
All rights reserved. Copying or sharing of any content for other than personal use is prohibited without prior written permission.
I grew up in a royal diplomatic family in Thailand. My father realized early that China would soon emerge as a superpower and I was enrolled in a Chinese elementary school. I spoke fluent Mandarin when I was young; and when I lived in Hong Kong in the 1990s, and my Mandarin was better than many of its residents. My fluency in Mandarin has had a huge influence on my personal career and international affairs.
In the 1980s, I visited China for the first time and we spent most of our time in Beijing. I remember vividly the sea of bicycles on the roads and only a few vehicles; and everyone wearing the same Mao-style suits.
After a few decades, the most obvious changes are, of course, the highways, high-rise buildings and urban planning, busy and clean cities, colourful and very modern facilities. Especially in recent years, the widespread use of mobile phones has meant there is no difference between rural areas and cities. These changes are the result of outstanding achievements of the reform and opening-up policy.
"Rejuvenating the country through science and education" is one of the most influential policies in the history of mankind. If you compare the numbers of scholars, professors, universities, schools and literacy rates in 1978 and 2018, you can find that China's story in these areas is great success. For example, in the 1980s or even in the 1990s, few Chinese could afford to further their education abroad but now the numbers are phenomenal and many people are flocking back to China, starting businesses or working as executives or even teaching.
Another perspective to chart China's progress in this regard is its opening up to foreign schools. Not only in Beijing or Shanghai, but also even in western China, international schools are increasingly marking their presence, attracting those kids from families which can afford the fees. International education acts as bridge between China -- which has vowed to continue its reform and opening-up drive -- and the rest of the world.
I am very delighted that in this process, the greatest and proudest achievement of my multi-faceted career was bringing the UK-based Harrow International School into Asia.
My country's focus on education began with my great-great-grandfather King Rama IV, King Mongkut of the Kingdom of Thailand who hired the British teacher Anna Leonowens to teach the royal children.
My grandfather knew the importance of Harrow International School, whose mission statement is "Leadership for a better world". Such a mission draws on the great tradition of famous leaders emanating from Harrow such as the late British prime minister Winston Churchill, the late Indian prime minister Pandit Nehru and the late King Hussein of Jordan.
The deeds of my great-great-grandfather were adapted in 1956 into the well known The King and portrayed by Yul Brynner in the movie and in Broadway musicals; and in the 1999 movie version called Anna and the King” was played by the Chinese actor Chow Yun-fat.
As the founder of Harrow International School Thailand, I have continued to to bring Harrow and China closer. During the 40 years of China's opening-up, Harrow has benefited from a series of preferential policies and has established in Beijing (2005), Hong Kong (2012), Shanghai (2016) and one set to start in Shenzhen.
The Harrow International School educates future world leaders, and it is my legacy to leave a world-class educational institution to my country and my second home China. My life and career are closely related to China and its State-owned enterprises. Investing in Chinese education is one of the projects my daughter Rajadasri Valerie Chiu will continue, and open more Harrow International Schools in China. Harrow is a world-class school which has been attended by 23 royal princes of the Kingdom of Thailand, and kings, prime ministers and top leaders of many countries. The establishment of Harrow International Schools in China means that Chinese children can have the opportunity to receive world-class education, and cultivate more new Chinese leaders with a global vision.
The author contributed this article to China Watch exclusively. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of China Watch.
All rights reserved. Copying or sharing of any content for other than personal use is prohibited without prior written permission.
