Chiva-Som International Academy is teaming up with the one of the world's most respected school of natural medicine and beauty therapy, Australasian College of Natural Therapies (ACNT), to offer proper qualifications in natural therapy. Students will be given tutorials and clinical training in Bangkok at the Chiva-Som premises in Sukhumvit Soi 63.

For the initial stages, ACNT is offering five courses: naturopathy, nutrition, homeopathy, herbal medicine and Aromatherapy. All these come under the brand of "ACNT at Chiva-Som Academy".

The programmes are set to be as hands-on and thorough as the ones offered at ACNT's original Sydney campus, with the curriculum and schedule flexible enough to suit each student. Discussions through Internet communication devices such as Skype will bring students from both sides of the world to experience the same degree of participation and academic support.

The bi-lingual staff at the Chiva-Som Academy will also provide on-campus backing.

Danny Bielik, managing director of ACNT, says the courses are open to everyone and the basic academic requirement is a high-school degree and a working knowledge of English, which will be used as the teaching medium.

"These programmes are beneficial for those who want a career in spa or natural medicine business, as well as those who simply wish to learn how to get well and apply the knowledge to their daily lives," he explains.

The starting fee for the courses will be Bt28,000 and up. For more information, call Chiva-Som International Academy at (02) 711 5270-3 or log on to www.chivasom-academy.com.

Rangsita Sirivanich

The Nation