“Outstanding U” Scholar, Rungrot (Bond) Tatiyawongwiwat from Thailand, Prepares to Pursue His Master of Science in Social Work and Policy at Columbia University with Full Thai Government Support

Sawasdee Krab. My name is Rungrot Tatiyawongwiwat, but you can call me Bond. I’m from Thailand. Soon, I will do my Master of Science in Social Work and Policy at Columbia University with a Thai government scholarship – “Outstanding U (U โดดเด่น)” Scholarship. This opportunity is supported according to the national demand under Thailand’s 20-Year National Strategic Plan. Up to now, my academic and professional foundation has almost entirely come from development studies, policy, and social work. Throughout the past decade, I have been involved both as a founder, project manager, and a co-lead team member in projects ranging from national to regional levels. These experiences have shaped and refined my capacity to a higher level, enabling me to take on macro-level roles and responsibilities that create an impact on millions of people within Thailand.

“Outstanding U” Scholarship Details

The “Outstanding U” Scholarship, or in Thai “ทุน U โดดเด่น,” is a fully-funded scholarship granted to those who have graduated or are about to graduate with a bachelor’s degree and have received unconditional admission to a master’s degree program at an educational institution ranked within the Top 20 in the most recent year by globally recognized and standardized ranking organizations such as QS World University Rankings or Times Higher Education (THE). The ranking must be at the international level (Global Ranking) and within the Top 1–20 by subject in the specific field and level of study determined by the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC) according to the announcement. The scholarship covers all expenses from before departure until returning to Thailand. A key condition of the scholarship is that recipients must serve in the public sector for a period equal to twice the length of their study upon completion. What makes this scholarship special is that upon returning, recipients are allowed to choose a government agency, department, or ministry related to their field of study.

Were You Offered any Other Scholarships? 

Throughout my life, I have been connected with scholarships from both the public and private sectors. During my undergraduate studies at Thammasat University, I received a scholarship from a Japanese private company, “Sumitomo” in Thailand. Another scholarship that became an honor to my family was the Her Majesty Queen’s Scholarship, granted by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, The Princess Royal of Thailand, for further study at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). It was a full scholarship to pursue studies at the School of Environment, Resources and Development.

In addition, back in 2018, I was selected by the U.S. Embassy in Thailand to join the YSEALI Academic Fellowship Fall Program, a full scholarship, at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. I also received a scholarship from the Kazuo Yamamoto Fund to attend a Summer Program in Technology at Georgia Tech in China. Most recently, I have been awarded the Thai Government’s “Outstanding U (U โดดเด่น)” Scholarship. Apart from these, I have also received several research grants, short-term program scholarships, training scholarships to enhance professional and academic capacity, as well as exchange scholarships that foster cross-border relations.

Educational Background

Studying social work and social policy, alongside development studies, has provided me with the opportunity to meaningfully strengthen my academic capacity. The curriculum was highly intensive. Although the learning environment was situated in Asia, one I was already familiar with, each semester required extensive reading and writing across multiple courses, making it increasingly demanding for many of us. Nevertheless, we managed to complete our studies with good academic memories. If you ask about my GPA (hahaha), I’d rather not go into detail. Yet, my commitment to the study plan I designed at some point eventually led me to receive the Outstanding Academic Student Award from the Faculty of Social Administration, Thammasat University. I also had the privilege of presenting my research at national academic and research conferences.

Today, I can genuinely feel how much my academic foundation has grown stronger, a growth that gives me confidence and readiness to begin my next chapter at Columbia University in 2026.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Columbia University?

How Did You Find Information About the “Outstanding U” Scholarship and Columbia University?

Since I received the admission result from Columbia University, the first thought that automatically came to my mind was finding a scholarship that would allow my study plan to continue. I must say I am fortunate to be born in the Internet era, where scholarly information is widely accessible. I spent an entire week searching for a scholarship that would suit my status, goals, and aspirations to work at the macro level in ways that can create a positive impact on society. Coincidentally, the Scholarship was open for applications and publicly announced through the government website at that very time. It also coincided with posts shared in scholarship groups on LinkedIn and Facebook by Thai scholars and Thai students in Ivy League universities. These factors made this fortunate opportunity possible. I am grateful for the reminders from the algorithm that led me to apply for this scholarship and thankful to every platform that made it possible for me to see and access the opportunity that has brought me to where I am today.

Standardized Tests

I kept practicing and reading regularly. And since I have been working with organizations from both the public and private sectors, domestically and internationally, it has given me opportunities to review and apply what I learned in daily work life, including trying out concepts I comprehended from the readings quite often. It can be said that I had the chance to prepare myself both at home and at work, which helped me achieve my goal (score) faster than I expected. I would like to encourage everyone to dedicate at least one hour a day and focus seriously on that goal. Doing so continuously for a year can bring an astonishing improvement in your ability.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the “Outstanding U” Scholarship?

I first saw this scholarship in early 2024, as many social media groups kept reminding me that I might be a good fit for it. The challenging part of applying for this scholarship was that I couldn’t find any reviews or shared experiences from previous recipients – I hope this sharing will help others in the future. However, since the scholarship publicly announces the list of awardees each year, I had the opportunity to connect online with some of the past recipients. Seeing the remarkable achievements, careers, and educational backgrounds of those who had received the scholarship before made me realize how I should further develop or enhance what I already have. That experience has refined and strengthened my knowledge and skills in a precise and progressive way.

How Is (was) Your Experience at Columbia University?

Looking back to 2023, I was given the opportunity to serve as a Youth Representative from the ASEAN region to attend the State Parties Meeting at the United Nations (UN), New York. It was a great opportunity for me to visit the university, meet staff, and gain first-hand experience that made me realize this is truly the place where I want to pursue my studies. A funny story is that during my time at the UN, we barely had any free time to go anywhere because our schedule was packed with activities and speaking engagements as guest speakers. So, I had to register for a late-night school tour. During the tour, I met another participant who was a psychologist working at a hospital in New York. It turned out to be a 60-minute tour where we and the guide talked from the top floor to the bottom. Since it was a small group, it was easy to get to know everyone, and I ended up making new friends. It was such a positive experience that made me want to study there even more.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe that my academic and professional experiences, ranging from local to international levels throughout nearly a decade, have led to my selection by the Thai government this year. During the scholarship interview, the committee also emphasized this as one of my outstanding strengths, as it reflects my dedication and accumulated knowledge that can be shared in the classroom with students from different countries. This, in turn, will be beneficial for Thailand’s public sector in the future. When the results were announced, I was ranked first in the selection, which was quite beyond my expectations, as every candidate who was selected was truly impressive (including some I personally knew who also applied). In the end, everyone who made it through was happy with the outcome.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

Find your own path. Dare to step out of your comfort zone (with a plan) and pursue your dreams wholeheartedly. Even though life may be full of obstacles and unexpected turns, if we do our best from the very beginning, everything we hope for will eventually come to us sooner or later. The same goes for this scholarship.