Far away study furthers grad’s goals
Phonesavanh (Phone) Thepphasoulithone, ptheppha@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, PAMR, 778.782.3210, cthorbes@sfu.ca
Leaving her family in Laos for three years while she pursued a PhD in education at Simon Fraser University wasn’t an easy experience for Phonesavanh (Phone) Thepphasoulithone. She was alone in a foreign culture and researching and studying in a foreign language.
“There were times when I have been so sad, weak and hopeless,” she admits, “but I have met so many kind and helpful friends and staff who share their feelings, insights and experiences.”
Thepphasoulithone is one of five PhD students and 25 master of education students from Cambodia, Thailand and Laos to participate in SFU’s Adult Education for Economic Development project. Funded by the Canadian International Development Agency, the project’s aim is to strengthen continuing education programs in South east Asia.
A member of Champasak University’s faculty of education in the Paske province of Laos, Thepphasoulithone’s new PhD in curriculum theory and implementation guarantees her an important role developing teacher education and continuing education in Laos.
Her thesis examiners commended her for producing an outstanding thesis that included a review of research in teachers’ learning and professional development in both western and Asian contexts.
Phone is only the fifth faculty member at her university to obtain a doctorate.
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