Issue 30

Thailand has the potential to become the hub of international education within the ASEAN Economic Community, at least according to one of the country’s leading institutions.

Investment in educational is vital for a nation’s development. Thailand has a strong regional reputation for the quality of both its international schools and tertiary education. Mahidol University International College (MUIC) is one of the country’s foremost educational institutions.

“The college offers liberal arts and sciences majors, placing importance on creativity, problem-solving and research skills,” says Dr Chanuantong Tanasugarn, associate dean for International Affairs and Networking. “We currently have 20 undergraduate degree programmes, along with 22 minors, which include seven foreign languages. Our students come from many countries and half of the faculty members are foreign nationals, thus you can say MUIC offers a vibrant and dynamic environment for staff and students.”

MUIC’s exchange programmes offer many opportunities for students to join the more than a hundred partner universities in America, Europe, Australia and Asia. “This is what makes the college unique, so much that several universities in Asia are using our college as a model for their education programmes,” says Tanasugarn.

In today’s academia, students are looking for a more active role in the learning process rather than just attending classes, claims Tanasugarn. “MUIC moves forward with the times and the college encourages students to raise their questions and share their interests. Such initiation has attracted students from within and outside the country,” she says.

According to Tanasugarn, MUIC works closely with the Ministry to Education to ensure that standards are maintained, both in terms of academic performance and learning environment.

“The college truly believes that it is necessary to provide meaningful experiences for students,” she says. “MUIC has been granted the Thailand Trust Mark from the Ministry of Commerce, validating that the college is committed to offer the best to students. The college has also received the Best Practice Award for its exchange programmes from Thailand’s Ministry of Education in 2010 as recognition of its thriving Study Abroad Programme for inbound international students and outbound candidates.”

MUIC has already started to prepare itself for the formation of the ASEAN Economy Community (AEC), scheduled to take place by the end of 2015, by increasing the quality of the international student recruitment and exchange programmes, as well as the number of partner universities. “The AEC will bring many opportunities, not only for MUIC but for Thailand,” says Tanasugarn. “The country has all it takes to become the hub for international education, ranging from qualified universities and teachers, to lodging, food, infrastructure, warm hospitality, interesting culture and related support systems.”

For more information, visit www.muic.mahidol.ac.th

Words by: Manisa Phromsiripranee