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Published on February 22, 2008

Despite the force of globalisation, fewer than 10 Thais are expected to be certified as a "global human resources professional" over the next two years.

Kittiratt na Ranong, deputy director of Chulalongkorn University's Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration, on Wednesday said executives obtaining Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) certification were expected to be in the single-digit range for the first two years.

"It should take no less than four years to touch triple digits," he said.

In partnership with the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Kelly Services, Sasin is introducing the GPHR certification preparation course for HR and non-HR executives for the first time in this country.

"Things normally start slowly here, but once it takes off it will grow rapidly, like mobile phones," he said.

Since GPHR was launched in 2004, about 1,500 people have received certification worldwide.

Nina Woodard, executive director of SHRM India, said the institute expected exponential growth for GPHR globally. Even in India, 100 people took the GPHR test when it was held recently, she said.

Four people in China and one in Taiwan have passed the stringent GPHR test and received certification.

Lance Richards, senior director and global practice leader of Kellly Services, said SHRM and Kelly were rolling out the GPHR programme around the world.

The first GPHR preparation courses will be held in May in Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

The programme has already been successfully launched in China and Hong Kong. Indonesia may also be added in May, said Kelly, who will be the instructor for the courses  being held in those three places and Thailand.

Kittiratt, a former president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, said half of the people participating in Thailand's first GPHR preparation course would be well-known executives, including his close friend Charn Srivikorn, chairman of GS Property, whose holdings include luxury shopping mall Gaysorn.

Tuition has not been set for the GPHR preparation course, which will be conducted for 24 hours over a number of days yet to be determined.

Assoc Prof Siriyupa Roongrerngsuke, Sasin's executive director

and head of its human resources programme, said Sasin would also include GPHR as a compulsory subject for its master's programme in HR, whose students number 20 annually.

The GPHR exam gives weights of 28 per cent to international assignment management, 22 per cent to strategic HR management, 16 per cent to global compensation and benefits, 14 per cent to organisational effectiveness and employee development, and 10 per cent each to global staffing and international employee relations and regulations issues.

GPHR will be the first certification programme ever given to HR professionals here, Kittiratt said.

"We could have set up our own certification programme but we have decided to offer this GPHR for the reason that it can be benchmarked and recognised internationally," he added.

Pichaya Changsorn

The Nation