Celebrity scholars

Karin Stayu, currently starring in "Dhamma Tid Peek", turned his back on stardom aged 18.

At the age of 18, Karin Stayu got a rare chance to enter the entertainment industry through winning the 1999 Dutchy Boy's Popular Vote prize. But Karin chose instead to become a full-time student at Mahidol University. And while he is currently starring in Channel 3's Dhamma Tid Peek series, Karin's studies continue.

Why didn't you grab the opportunity to be a star at 18?
Because I won a scholarship from Mahidol University's science department, which was awarded to only 50 students from all over the country. Also, at that time, I didn't think that the entertainment industry was my lifelong goal.

What did you study at Mahidol?
Mathematics and statistics. And while I entered the entertainment industry as soon as I graduated from Mahidol, I continued studying for my master's degree.

What are you studying?
Finance at Dhurakij Pundit University.

Why are you interested in finance?
Firstly, it has to do with numbers and can complement my bachelor's degree in mathematics and statistics. Secondly, I would like to manage my own business in the future, maybe exporting fruit. That is my long-term goal.

How long will it take to get your master's degree?
Two or three years. Actually, I plan to maybe halt all my jobs in the entertainment industry for a while and then go abroad to study something that can't be studied here in Thailand - something that is related to business and management. After that, I intend to come back and continue studying at the PhD level.

Why did you start your master's degree so soon after your bachelor's degree?
Easy: I don't want to get out of touch with studying. If I had waited too long, I may have become lazy and forgotten what I've previously learned.

What would you say are some of the obstacles you've faced when combining working and studying?
I don't have enough time to review the content after class and to rest. For example, when I shoot a TV drama series during exam period, I have to worry about both the scripts and my textbooks. And I have to approach the instructors and ask for assistance in terms of missing lectures. I have to be more enthusiastic about studying.

So, to sum up, how important is education to people who work in the entertainment industry?
Very important. In this industry, there will always be new rising stars who can come and take your place. If a person only sets his or her sights on becoming a superstar, but never has any academic achievements, then what is he or she going to do? Knowledge never hurts. It's actually a very good friend who walks with us towards our future goal. On the other hand, physical appearance may not stay with us forever.

What is your advice for young people who are thinking about entering the industry, in terms of their own education?
It depends on the opportunities each person has. Opportunities don't just come to us easily, so if younger kids are studying and good opportunities come by, they should grab them. But they must always keep in mind that they are also in school. Never stop learning, because education is extremely important. Without it, they may be left without any tools to manage their futures.

DJ Oam is about to embark upon a master's degree programme at Thammasat University.

Many students will know her as a disc jockey from Hotwave Radio 91.5 FM, but what they may not know is that DJ Oam, or Passorn Patcharasorawut, is also about to embark upon a master's degree programme at Thammasat University. If the admissions process goes smoothly, she should be back in school later this month.

So why are you going back to study?
Some people say that there's no need for a higher degree if you work in the entertainment industry, but I'm not going back to school just to be able to say that I've got a master's degree. I'm going back in order to study in a field that is practical and can be directly applied to my field of work.

Why a master's degree, though?
Forward planning. Down the road, I don't know whether or not I'll still be working here and opportunities to work in other fields will definitely come. So I believe that the higher I study and the more experience I get, the more advantages I'll have over other people.

Which fields are you talking about?
For me, English. I love studying English because it's practical. The degree programme [English for careers] offers courses that focus on various fields of English usage, such as English for management and English for international business. I'm interested in English for mass communications, which is relevant to my field of work.

Did you consider stopping work while you studied?
No way. I believe that this job is a real opportunity that not everyone can have. I feel lucky to have gotten this job while studying my third year at Srinakharinwirot University. When the opportunity arrived, I had to grab it and now I constantly improve myself by doing a better and better job.

How long do you think you will work in the entertainment industry?
That will depend on me. Right now, I can't say how many more years, but I believe that there's no definite "shelf life" to working in the entertainment industry. You can continue to work here or even make it a full-time job, but it all depends on whether you are active and open enough to new things because there will always be newcomers. If we stay still, other people will pass us by, but If we continue to improve ourselves, we won't be edged out.

James

James wants to cement his entertainment and business success with an MBA. — RS PROMOTION

Ruangsak Loychusak (better known as "James") has been in the entertainment industry for 10 years; he's also a successful businessman, running a well-known chicken rice franchise. But in 2003, James started an MBA course at Dhurakij Pundit University, successfully juggling his business and entertainment careers with his studies. We find out why James made this decision and the difficulties he encountered.

You're obviously extremely busy - how do you manage your time?
From Mondays to Fridays, I get some exercise before going to work at RS at about 11am, then work until 6pm, and go to class from 7-9pm. Then I go home and sleep. Every day is like this, but whatever I decide to take on, I give it 100 percent.

As someone who's already successful in business, why did you choose an MBA?
The bottom line when it comes to studying is learning how to apply knowledge. The MBA course teaches me how to think and how to manage my own thoughts. Yes, I'm already an artist, but having additional knowledge and skills in management will be really useful.

So have your goals in life changed from wanting to be in the music industry to wanting to manage your own businesses more?
I wouldn't say "change" - "add" is more correct. Now I have added more goals to my life. I think that we're all capable of doing more than one thing at a time.

When do you expect to finish your degree?
In about two or three years. For me, rushing through the course is useless because I won't get all that much out of it. If I take my time, I'll be able to learn more.

A career in the entertainment industry can be short-lived and many people look for something a little more stable to fall back on. Do you feel this way?
Stability is possible in this industry, but wanting to find something else that's more stable, to boost self-confidence or just to play things safe, isn't wrong. I think it's a good thing.

What is your advice for younger people who are thinking about entering the industry, in terms of their own education?
I'd advise them to be sincere. If they decide to work in entertainment, they must ask themselves whether they really love it and not think of it as a way to get rich. At the same time, for celebrities, obtaining a higher education equips people with wisdom. Don't ever think that an education is unnecessary.

STUDY SINGLE-SEX CLASSES Boys perform better in single-sex classes, British study says In Thailand, most classrooms are mixed-gender as in this file photo. However, research in the UK suggests that single-sex classes lead to better-performing students. LONDON - Separating boys and girls into single-sex school classes can help overcome a "macho'" culture that stops male pupils from learning, a major British government-commissioned study published on May 29 has concluded. Girls consistently score better than boys in British school examinations, and the Department for Education commissioned the four-year project involving 50 schools in an attempt to find ways to close the gap. Researchers from Cambridge University found that single-sex classes for some subjects could be a powerful tool in helping boys do better, as well as benefiting girls. "Many girls and boys feel more at ease in such classes, feel more able to interact with learning and to show real interest without inhibition, and often achieve more highly as a result," the study found. It was clear that "some boys go to considerable lengths to protect their macho image and their sense of self-worth by indulging in a range of non-conformist behaviour which frequently prevents them and others in the same classes, from achieving well", the report noted. This "macho regime" could also be a problem in single-gender classes, the researchers found. But overall, they concluded: "Evidence in favour of the development of single-sex classes for some subjects, from both students' voices and from an analysis of levels of academic achievement, is nonetheless persuasive." Last year, then-schools minister David Miliband backed the idea of single-sex classes in British schools, but no government plans have been outlined since. AFP If you have any opinions on this story and its relevance to the Thai education system, please contact us at learningpost@bangkokpost.co.th.