SAO Thailand and strengthening public sector audit
by Engaging Academic Institutions
According to Moscow Declaration 2019, it mentioned to the importance of research studies particularly to make better use of data analytics in audits, including adaptation strategies, such as planning for such audits, developing experienced teams for data analytics, and introducing new techniques into the practice of public audit.
Certainly, SAIs could benefit from extending research studies and enhancing their in-house methodological work to apply sound and appropriate research methods. SAIs could also engage academic institutions to conduct cooperative research.
Nowadays, SAO Thailand has been engaging with academic institutions in various themes and activities. These themes are based on fundamental changes that have an influence on SAO development. Therefore, we need to develop knowledge with audit experiences in order to support staffs’ capacity to be responsive to the upcoming changes. Likewise, the academic institutions will benefit from the collaboration by a greater understanding of the role of SAO in public financial management.
Until now, SAO has expanded the cooperative network with many academic institutions as follows.
1. Engaging with SDG Move which is SDG Research and Support Program in Thailand. SDG Move was established by Thailand Research Fund (TRF) in cooperation with the Faculty of Economics, Thammasat University. Since 2019 SAO Thailand has engaged with SDG Move in order to develop the knowledge and applied research for auditing SDGs.
2. Engaging with the Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University which focused on the theme of SAIs and fighting against corruption. Presently, the Faculty of Economics at Chulalongkorn University has many research centers about economic development. One of the famous research centers is Chulalongkorn Experimental Economics Center or CEEC which has attempted to apply the experimental economics approach to explain and give policy recommendations.
3. Young State Audit Internship Program with famous universities in Thailand, generally, the internship program will provide participants with the basic knowledge about the role of SAO Thailand in the international community, as well as developing applied knowledge for the real world. The main targets of the program are college students especially in Junior and Senior years. We believe that by combining practices and theories into the course, the participants would have opportunities to develop their own studies regarding various dimensions of SAO. Furthermore, we encourage the participants to use their strengths when developing their final studies, some may be good at writing, and others may be great at drawing infographics. At the end of the program, there will be a variety of invaluable products from the participants. Lastly, we considerably aim at fostering our new generations with a new perspective towards safeguarding public money as our King Rama 9 once said that public money has belonged to every Thai citizen.
