The path to top-level academia in Laos

Dr Phouphet Kyophilavong, 49, was inspired by his parents to study hard, achieve a high standard of education, and not to follow in their footsteps, in order to break free from the cycle of poverty. 
Born into a poor family with his mother raising pigs for sale, Phouphet was motivated to pursue his studies to a high level, believing that education would give him a better future as well as bring great pride to his family.

Prof. Dr Phouphet Kyophilavong displays two of his research books.

“My parents and grandfather told me that if I wanted to be poor like them, I didn’t have to study. But if I wanted to have a good life, it was essential to study hard,” he said.
Today, Phouphet is a Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Management at the National University of Laos.
He received a PhD in economics from Kobe University in Japan in 2003 and is the youngest of six professors at the National University of Laos, with his research papers being recognised both internally and internationally.
For 20 years, Phouphet has been involved in human resource development, helping to produce knowledgeable graduates in response to the country’s development needs. 
“I’m proud to teach students and pass on my knowledge to them and see them grow. Many of my students now hold important positions in government; successful business owner; and others,” he said.
“As well as teaching, I carry out research on various topics that are important for serving Laos’ development needs. What I want to see in five or 10 years from now is foreign students and teachers coming here to teach international level courses. I want to see Laos becoming an education hub in the region.”
So far, Phouphet has written more than 100 articles that have been published in journals and as book chapters and working papers. His articles concern macroeconomic management, economic integration, energy, environment and natural resources, and others.
In addition, he has directed numerous research projects and works closely with government agencies in Laos and international organisations such as Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and others.
He has been a visiting scholar and professor at various institutions such as Pukyong National University, Nagoya University, University of Laval, Kobe University, and Nanyang Technological University, as well as a Fulbright US-ASEAN Visiting Scholar at Harvard University.
Phouphet was born in Phontong village, Chanthabouly district, Vientiane. His mother was born in Xieng Khuang province and his father came from Borikhamxay province.
They moved to Vientiane after they married, but started off life in the capital with nothing. “My mother was illiterate and my father had only got as far as Grade 2 of primary school. My mother moved from the countryside to Vientiane because she wanted her kids had good education, which she did not have such chance,” he said. 
His mother raised pigs which she sold at the local market and his father was a soldier.
Motivated by his parents, Phouphet recognised the importance of a getting a good education if he were to achieve success in the future. As a result, he was top of his class at upper secondary school and won a scholarship from the Japanese government to attend a Japanese university.
He studied for a bachelor degree and a master’s degree in Civil Engineering at Osaka University from 1994 to 2000 before doing a doctorate in Economics at Kobe University, where he stayed for three years to complete the PhD programme which came from the different academic backgrounds
During his time in Japan, Phouphet liked to organise student activities as a way of informing people about the Lao way of life and to raise the profile of Laos among the Japanese, and brought the host families and Japnese communities to build schools and sport facilities in rural areas.

Prof. Dr Phouphet joins Asian Economic Panel held in South Korea last year.	Prof. Dr Phouphet presents his research paper at Asian Economic Panel in Japan this year.

During his studies in Japan, all of his courses were taught in Japanese, so the language quickly became his second language. However, when he return back to teach at the university, he has written most of his research papers in English.
Phouphet is keen to push for more research as a means to upgrade the ranking of the National University of Laos.
“For me, researching is like a hobby,” he said, adding that he enjoyed developing new curriculums and improving them in response to the changing needs of today’s employers. As the world moves so fast towards digitalisation, most information can be found on the internet. Without revising curriculums and upgrading knowledge and skills of lecturers, university courses would soon be out of date.
When asked how more people in Laos could be encouraged to broaden their knowledge and the scope of their studies, he said research and development are key to the development of any nation.
He emphasised that innovation, scientific research, and development are essential for any development project. Without proper research and studies, Laos’ development could be delayed, causing the country to fall behind other nations in the region. It is essential that all policies are formulated based on carefully studied strategies, and that research findings are applied to development projects.
State bodies need to work more closely with researchers on topics that are relevant to Laos’ development needs.
All development projects require input from researchers, the sectors involved, and villagers in order to ensure sustainable development.
Phouphet said that to motivate academics to carry out more research and strengthen their knowledge and skills, incentives are necessary, which he suggested could be in the form of financial support, promotion, and recognition, and other incentives. In addition, the evaluation of lecturers’ performance should be based on the success of their research and teaching activities.
It is also important to ensure more time is allocated to researchers to carry out their studies and to reduce their involvement in unnecessary activities burden.
“What I want to see the most in Laos is a knowledge-based economy, with research and development becoming the focal task in national development. I also want to see more research, studies and innovation activities being conducted by the researchers at Lao universities, other educational institutions, and by government agencies and members of the public,” he said. 
Phouphet also stressed the need to teach young people about the spirit of patriotism so they understand the importance of Lao development needs and their contribution, rather than always acting in their own interests.
“We all need to think about what we can do to spur development and overcome the economic challenges we’re currently facing. I urge all Lao people to help one another, cooperate together and I believe that through our joint efforts and strengthened cooperation, we can help Laos get through this difficult time, become a prosperous country,” he said.

By Somsack Pongkhao
(Latest Update November 27, 2023)

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update November 27, 2023)