Thailand Alumni Network

Purnima Ruanglertbutr

Purnima Ruanglertbutr completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) in 2009, followed by a Master of Teaching (Secondary) at the University of Melbourne in 2011, after which she graduated with a Master of Art Administration from UNSW in 2012. She is an award-winning, internationally recognised artist–teacher–researcher whose interdisciplinary career spans education, the arts, and writing.

A specialist in English Language and Literature, she teaches IB English at Bangkok Patana School and works as a creative entrepreneur: published author, performance poet, visual artist, and independent art curator. She leads creative writing workshops and works as an education consultant on arts integration and creative learning. Her work is published in journals such as The Canadian Review of Art Education and English Australia, and her TEDx talk, Who am I – Artist, Teacher or Both?, explores her teacher–practitioner identity.

She has held roles across Australia, the UK, and Thailand, including lecturer and researcher at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, conference manager for the Art Association of Australia and New Zealand (Inter-discipline), and museum educator at the National Gallery of Victoria and The Ian Potter Museum of Art. Purnima has performed internationally, including at the UK National Poetry Library, Whitecross Street Festival, and the ASEAN Forum.

Contact Purnima via LinkedIn.

Salita Soongsawang

Salita Soongsawang received full scholarships from the University of Melbourne and completed her PhD in Higher Education at the Centre for the Study of Higher Education. Her research focused on higher education collaboration in ASEAN, and her professional experience spans regional organisations, academic institutions, and an international school.

A recipient of eight non-bonded scholarships from undergraduate to doctoral levels, Salita is committed to paying it forward by advancing human potential—from supporting students in their academic journeys to contributing to professional and leadership development. She recently co-founded an education consultancy dedicated to this mission.

As Joint Lead of the University of Melbourne Thailand Alumni Network, Salita is dedicated to strengthening alumni engagement, promoting professional exchange, and fostering collaboration within the Thai alumni community.

Feel free to reach out to connect, collaborate, or share ideas for alumni engagement in Thailand with her.

Contact Salita via LinkedIn.