Road to the international runway

Even in Thailand, there are now several institutes that offer English-based curricula for students seeking a career in international fashion. Some of these institutes will be represented at the Thailand International Education Exhibition (TIEE) 2008, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre from February 1-3. This annual exhibition will showcase the country's international education institutes, with more than 400 international programmes and curricula from primary level to Doctoral degree.

Today's world of fashion design is more open than ever. Each creation serves the needs of customers around the world. An English-language curricula is therefore essential, as it provides students with the opportunity to work internationally. Without communication skills in English, many talented and creative Thai students will miss out, said Cheng Kwek Loong, director of the Thailand Campus of Singapore's Raffles Design Institute.

The most popular courses are fashion design and graphic design. Fashion design provides students with real work experience even during the first year of study. Students do not have to enrol in basic courses such as Thai language, social sciences or mathematics as in other public universities, so they have more time to pursue their real interest and practice their skills.

Raffles Design Institute covers all major aspects of design including fashion marketing, interior design, interactive media design, product design and business (marketing). Interested students can get further information at TIEE 2008 while others may receive counselling as well as apply for work with leading firms at the Job Fair.

The Thailand International Education Exhibition (TIEE) 2008, is being organised by the Department of Export Promotion of the Ministry of Commerce and is open from February 1-3 between 10am - 6pm at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.

Source: The Department of Export Promotion, Ministry of Commerce.