Context: Partner universities in Thailand
The National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) in Bangkok is one of Southeast Asia’s leading higher education institutions in the fields of management, administration and development studies. Its international range of courses combines specialist training with forward-looking topics such as sustainability, digitalisation and intercultural communication. The student body is international in character, with students coming primarily from Southeast Asia, China and Europe. Assumption University of Thailand is one of Thailand’s oldest private international universities and is run by the Brothers of the Catholic Order of St Gabriel. It sees itself as an international academic community that combines academic excellence with social responsibility. Its international orientation, interdisciplinary teaching approaches and focus on the interplay between technology, innovation and ethical issues are particularly distinctive features.
In conversation with: Prof. Dr. Frank Altemöller and Prof. Dr. Sid Suntrayuth,
Which collaborations are we talking about today? Prof. Dr. Frank Altemöller: When I speak about collaborations in Thailand, I am currently referring primarily to our cooperation with the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) and Assumption University in Bangkok. Both institutions are addressing issues of international economic relations, leadership, governance, and societal transformation in different ways—topics that are also central to my own work.
At its core, this collaboration focuses on how states, companies, and societies respond to new geopolitical challenges. The conflict between the United States and China is fundamentally reshaping the international environment, and Southeast Asian countries find themselves a unique position within this context. On the one hand, they are deeply economically interconnected with China; on the other hand, they are becoming increasingly important partners for Europe within diversification and de-risking strategies. Together, we seek to better understand how different countries navigate these new geopolitical and geo-economic challenges, which restrictions they face, but above all, which opportunities and new strategies this can open up. Insights about Southeast Asia, in particular, can offer perspectives that are often underappreciated in Europe.
How did the cooperation with the National Institute of Development Administration come about? Prof. Dr. Sid Suntrayuth: Interestingly, the first contact came from Professor Altemöller three or four years ago. He reached out to me after already establishing connections in Thailand and becoming aware of NIDA. From the beginning, communication was very straightforward. There were no lengthy coordination processes or formal hurdles. We quickly felt that we shared similar interests and could learn from one another.
At the time, we already hosted many German students because we cooperated with several German universities and universities of applied sciences through double-degree and exchange programs. What was particularly exciting for us was that Frank was not only interested in discussing Europe but was genuinely interested in Southeast Asian perspectives.
What motivated you to initiate the cooperation? Prof. Dr. Frank Altemöller: I have long been fascinated by the region. Southeast Asia is one of the most dynamic regions in the world economically, politically, and socially, yet in Europe we often look at it only superficially. I find the question of how countries in the region cope with the current geopolitical tensions between the United States and China especially fascinating. These countries have to navigate navigate such tensions on a daily basis and have often developed highly pragmatic responses. I am interested not only in the theoretical analysis of these developments but also in the practical perspectives on the ground. How do business leaders, policymakers and researchers think about these issues? What strategies do they pursue? Discussing these topics is exactly what I'm looking for.
Furthermore, I am convinced that especially in a time of increasing geopolitical tensions, we should not reduce academic exchange but expand it. Universities have a great value here: We should understand them as places of dialogue where different perspectives meet and where we can learn from one another.
Who is the cooperation aimed at? Prof. Dr. Frank Altemöller: The collaboration is initially aimed at students of the Master of Customs and International Trade Law (MCL) program, as well as lecturers and researchers in the field of international economic and trade relations. Developments in Southeast Asia are of particular importance to this target group. A key component of the collaboration is guest lectures and panel discussions, where experts from academia, business, international organizations, and diplomatic circles contribute their perspectives. This allows students to gain insights that go far beyond traditional textbook content.
Prof. Dr. Sid Suntrayuth: From our perspective, the cooperation is directed equally at students, faculty, and researchers. Students preparing for leadership roles in business, public administration, or international organizations are particularly important to us. Many of our programs are designed to combine specialized expertise with intercultural competence, strategic thinking, and an understanding of global developments.
Our students come not only from Thailand but also from many Southeast Asian countries, China, and other regions of the world. Exchange with partners from Europe offers them additional perspectives on international politics, trade, and economic development. At the same time, faculty and researchers also benefit. International cooperation allows different experiences and academic approaches to be brought together and encourages joint reflection on the challenges of an increasingly interconnected world.
What does the collaboration look like in practice? Prof. Dr. Frank Altemöller: There are guest lectures, panel discussions and visits. It is less a formal cooperation program and more a process of developing shared topics and perspectives. A particular focus is the integration of international experts into the Master of Customs and International Trade Law program. Over the past years, we have involved representatives from international and European organizations, companies, think tanks, universities, and diplomatic institutions. This provides students with direct insights into current debates in international trade and international politics. We also organize study trips, for example to international organizations in Geneva and European institutions in Brussels. We place great importance on ensuring that students not only receive standard guided tours but also engage directly with individuals directly involved in political and economic decision-making processes. Many of these encounters are based on personal networks that have developed over many years.
Prof. Dr. Sid Suntrayuth: The cooperation is still largely in an informal phase. For example, there is not yet an official Memorandum of Understanding, but we regularly conduct joint teaching and exchange activities and discuss possibilities for stronger institutionalization.
Looking ahead, we can imagine various forms of exchange, including visiting faculty appointments, joint research projects, and opportunities for students from Münster to spend time at NIDA. Even without a formal agreement, our doors are always open. I have already had the opportunity to deliver several online lectures at the University of Münster, which I greatly enjoyed. In the future, however, I would very much like to visit in person.
What distinguishes NIDA from European universities? Prof. Dr. Sid Suntrayuth: NIDA was founded with a clear mission: research and teaching should directly contribute to Thailand’s social and economic development. This developmental focus continues to shape the university today. It is even reflected in the names of many faculties, which frequently include the term “Development.” Each faculty pursues its own focus while contributing in different ways to national development. At the same time, we see ourselves as an international institution. Unlike many universities, we do not offer undergraduate programs and focus entirely on master's and doctoral education. Our teaching language is also internationally oriented: programs are offered in English or Chinese. Promoting international education is a core part of our mission.
Another difference lies in the role of culture. At NIDA, culture is not treated as an isolated discipline but is connected with management, governance, development, and economics. Many programs intentionally combine subject expertise with cultural understanding and intercultural communication. This is also linked to Thailand’s unique history: unlike many neighboring countries, Thailand was never colonized and therefore developed a highly distinctive cultural trajectory. This cultural perspective plays an important role in our teaching.Furthermore, we place great emphasis on not only transmitting knowledge but also situating it within broader societal contexts. We aim to enable our students to understand different perspectives and act effectively across cultures.
What have been the key milestones in the cooperation so far? Prof. Dr. Frank Altemöller: Since the cooperation has not yet been formally institutionalized, I would speak less of individual milestones and more of a series of important developments. A significant step was certainly the fact that the initial conversations quickly evolved into a regular exchange. This led to guest lectures, joint teaching activities, and new relations that extended far beyond a simple contact.
Particularly valuable was the development of an international network of experts from academia, business, and international organizations. The cooperation quickly created opportunities for new relations and conversations, that in turn, contributed additional perspectives to teaching and learning.
Prof. Dr. Sid Suntrayuth: For us, internationalization is not simply a matter of the backgrounds of our students; it is a fundamental part of the learning process. Many textbooks, management concepts, and theoretical models used around the world were developed in Europe or North America. They are important, but they do not encompass all the experiences and perspectives that are relevant for understanding global developments.
This is why it is so valuable for us to bring together students and faculty from different regions of the world. Asian perspectives in particular are still often underrepresented in many international curricula, despite the fact that a significant share of the economic and social dynamism of the twenty-first century is taking place in Asia. Through direct exchange, it becomes clear that problems are not perceived or solved in the same way everywhere and that different cultural, historical, and political experiences lead to different responses. Our goal is therefore not only to impart knowledge but also to make students aware that there are multiple ways of understanding and shaping the world.
How do you deal with politically challenging times? Prof. Dr. Sid Suntrayuth: From a Thai perspective, universities should remain spaces for dialogue and exchange. Thailand has traditionally sought to maintain a balanced position in international conflicts, and this approach is reflected in our universities as well.
Especially when political tensions increase, it is important to bring together different perspectives and to conduct discussions on an objective and academic basis. Universities can bring people from different countries and political contexts together and thereby contribute to fostering mutual understanding.
What challenges have emerged in the collaboration—for example, intercultural, organizational, or institutional ones? Prof. Dr. Frank Altemöller: The greatest challenge so far has certainly been securing the necessary resources for personal encounters. Exchange thrives on direct conversations and reciprocal visits, but financial resources for such activities are often limited.
For example, it would be a great enrichment if colleagues from Thailand could visit Münster more frequently. Other countries invest much more heavily in such mobility programs, whereas our opportunities are often more limited. At the same time, this highlights just how important personal encounters are. One learns far less by merely talking about a country than by actually getting to know and work with people from that country. This is particularly valuable for students, who can gain first-hand insights rather than relying solely on books or media. From an intercultural perspective, however, I have found the collaboration to be remarkably uncomplicated. There is a great deal of openness and curiosity on both sides. Of course, higher education systems, communication styles, and institutional structures differ, but these differences are precisely what make exchange interesting and productive.
Another challenge lies in ensuring the long-term sustainability of new partnerships. Many initiatives begin through the commitment of individual people. For them to develop into lasting structures, they should be supported and further developed by the institutions involved.
What future perspectives or developments do you envision? Prof. Dr. Frank Altemöller: In the long term, it would be a great advantage to institutionalize the collaboration more deeply. Up to now, the exchange has been driven largely by personal commitment and the relationships that have developed over the past years.
At the same time, institutionalization should not be an end in itself. What matters most is that the participating faculties and universities perceive the cooperation as enriching and are willing to actively further develop it. Only then a sustainable long-term partnership can emerge. I see great potential in expanding the mobility of teachers, researchers and students as well. In a region such as Southeast Asia, which is becoming increasingly important economically and geopolitically, such contacts can make a significant contribution to fostering mutual understanding and opening up new perspectives.
What advice would you give to students who would like to come to Thailand? Prof. Dr. Sid Suntrayuth: My most important piece of advice would be: be open-minded. Anyone coming to Thailand should not expect everything to function exactly as it does at home. International experiences are most valuable when one is willing to explore different perspectives and view differences not as problems but as opportunities for learning. At an international institution such as NIDA, students encounter people from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.Those who embrace this environment develop not only academic and professional skills but also cultural understanding and the ability to work successfully in diverse contexts.
What recommendations would you give to others who want to build a similar cooperation? Prof. Dr. Frank Altemöller: First and foremost, you should have a genuine interest in the region and its developments. Sustainable partnerships do not emerge because someone feels that a project or funding opportunity is needed; they arise in our field of work because people truly want to understand how other societies respond to contemporary challenges. I would strongly encourage students in particular to spend time in Southeast Asia and, and if possible, in China as well. A semester abroad or an internship offers perspectives that are difficult to gain only in Europe. Ideally, students should not limit themselves to a single location but should get to know several countries. Only then does it become apparent how diverse the economic and political dynamics within the region really are. We often only see the outcomes of economic development—new factories or modern infrastructure, for example. Things become really interesting, however, when we understand the dynamics behind political decisions, economic strategies and social processes. This is precisely what makes experience unattainable in any other way and therefore so valuable.
Assistant Professor Sid Suntrayuth, Ph.D., is Associate Dean of the International College at the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), where he teaches in the field of international management and development. His work focuses on international university cooperation, intercultural education and the training of future leaders in a global context. As a representative of one of Thailand’s most international universities, he is particularly committed to fostering exchange between students and researchers from different regions of the world. Contact
Prof. Dr. Frank Altemöller is Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Customs and International Trade Law (ICTL) at the University of Münster. His research focuses on future issues in international trade and the geopolitical and geo-economic challenges of a changing world order. His work focuses on the impact of global conflicts and transformation processes on the economy, public administration and society. He has been previously professor and head of a European Studies Program at Harz University of Applied Sciences. Contact
