Published on November 17, 2005

The Foreign Ministry has vowed to help Thai students studying religion in foreign countries to get their certifications recognised in Thailand.

Currently, the Education Ministry does not recognise religious-related certificates from overseas universities, hampering graduates looking for jobs other than as religious teachers.

The problem was discussed during a meeting between the vice-minister for foreign affairs, Virachai Virameteekul, and a group of Thai students in Madrasah Arabia Islamia, an Islamic Science Institute in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The institute houses more than 600 students, including 35 Thais, from 32 countries around the world. Nearly 100 Thai students are studying Islamic studies in South Africa.

During the six-year programme, students learn about various aspects of Islam as well as three different languages: English, Arabic and Urdu.

Student Wasal Ausmarn said most of the Thai students are uncertain about their future because the institute’s diploma is not recognised by the Thai government. “This leaves us with only an M6 [Mathayom 6] certificate which we received before continuing our education abroad. When we go back to Thailand, all we can do is become religious teachers. We cannot get jobs that require a higher education,” he told Virachai.

Virachai said that the Foreign Ministry is aware of the problem and is trying to cooperate with South African’s Ministry of Education to designate the programme’s graduation certificate as secular, and then have the Thai Ministry of Education recognise the designation. He added that the process would take time.

Virachai said another solution would be to have Islamic students pursue secular education in parallel with their religious studies via long-distance learning.

He said that his ministry is planning to provide scholarships to secular education schools to Muslim religious students after they graduate from foreign religious institutions, so that they will have the skills and qualifications needed in the job market.

Virachai is on a five-day visit to South Africa.

Sopaporn Saeung

The Nation

Johannesburg

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