Scholarships in Thailand for ASEAN integration: a Three Horizons analysis of evolution and future trajectories

Scholarships are vital for promoting regional integration and human capital development within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This study utilizes the Three Horizons framework to assess the evolution and future of Thailand's scholarship programs in the context of ASEAN's educational cooperation. Through 27 stakeholder surveys and 18 semi-structured interviews, we explore three temporal dimensions: current challenges (Horizon 1), transitional innovations (Horizon 2), and future aspirations (Horizon 3). Our findings highlight ongoing issues, including limited outbound mobility, unequal access, weak private sector involvement, and fragmented policies. By employing the Glonacal Agency Heuristic, we investigate how local, national, and regional actors influence scholarship governance, mapping governance and evolutionary trajectories. Strategic recommendations focus on inclusive design, efficient administration, varied funding, and alignment with ASEAN objectives. By viewing scholarships as instruments of knowledge diplomacy and regional solidarity, this research offers valuable insights for enhancing educational cooperation across ASEAN.