Chula’s Dr. Suwithida Charungkaittikul Becomes First Thai President of PIMA Network 

Chulalongkorn University extends its warmest congratulations to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suwithida Charungkaittikul, from the Department of Lifelong Education, Faculty of Education, Chulalongkorn University, who has been elected President of the PIMA Network (The PASCAL International Member Association: a global network of adult and lifelong learning educators, activists, and scholars). 

This global network comprises experts in adult education and lifelong learning, including educators, activists, and academics around the world. 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suwithida Charungkaittikul is the first Thai national and the third woman ever to be elected to this position. Her term as President will span two years (2025–2027). The official election result was announced on May 12, 2025, during the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), accompanied by congratulatory messages from members from around the world. 

PIMA Network was established through the collaboration with the PASCAL International Observatory. It is an open global network of diverse educators, activists, and scholars working in the fields of adult and lifelong learning. It currently has over 300 members across all continents, including faculty from top 100 global universities such as The University of British Columbia, The University of Glasgow, and Seoul National University, as well as leading organizations in adult education and lifelong learning, such as: 

• German Adult Education Association (DVV International) 
• UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) 
• International Council for Adult Education (ICAE) 
• SEAMEO Regional Centre for Lifelong Learning (SEAMEO CELLL) 

PIMA’s mission is to promote social, economic, and ecological justice through adult education and lifelong learning. It aims to stimulate creativity and problem-solving on both local and global levels, foster cooperation and solidarity among its members, and emphasize the importance of lifelong learning. The network is open, ethical, democratically governed and it welcomes new members free of charge. 

PIMA Activities include: 

• Conferences and seminars: Providing platforms for discussion and shared learning 
• PIMA Bulletin publication: Disseminating research articles, ideas, and experiences 
• Special Interest Groups (SIGs): Supporting focused work on specific topics 
• Collaborations: Partnering with PASCAL and related organizations for greater impact 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suwithida Charungkaittikul expressed her joy in having the opportunity to contribute to the field on a broader scale. She emphasized the benefits of expanding academic and research collaboration, which would benefit students, faculty, and the wider public. She also encouraged faculty members, students, and interested individuals to become part of the PIMA Network or to propose collaborative initiatives. 

More information about the PIMA Network can be found at: https://www.pimanetwork.com 

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