Unis cash in on need for English proficiency

According to the Commission on Higher Education, the number of international programmes increased sharply between 2003 and 2006. From 387 programmes in 2002, the number shot up to 465 in 2003, 520 in 2004, 727 in 2005 and 844 in 2006. In four years, the number more than doubled.

Universities with these international programmes generated Bt58.2 billion in revenue from them last year, up from Bt52.6 billion and Bt40.8 billion in 2006 and 2005 respectively, according to the commission's Bureau of International Cooperation Strategy.

Commission secretary-general Sumet Yaemnoon said the supply of international education was growing strongly compared to the region because of a policy to turn Thailand into the regional education hub.

Huge interest in international programmes attracted King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, which has 31 international and English programmes, to offer such programmes. A credit costs from Bt800 to Bt3,000, and the fee is between Bt18,000 and Bt61,500 per semester, depending on the field.

Assumption University is the most active at present, with 100 international programmes. The number of foreign and Thai students enrolling in the programmes in the bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees has increased sharply from 6,065 in 2005 and 6,615 in 2006 to 6,740 in 2007.

"People recognise that English language is important in the era of globalisation, as they have to communicate with foreigners in the world," said Assumption University president Dr Bancha Saenghiran.

At the end of May, the university had approved the enrolment of over 4,000 students, mostly Thais. Bancha said that Thai universities' international programmes had attracted a number of local and overseas students because of the cheaper tuition fees.

According to the Civil Service Commission, a Thai student taking a degree at an American university would need to spend at least US$33,280 (Bt1.08 million). At ABAC, the tuition fees per unit are Bt1,600, Bt4,000 and Bt7,000 for the bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees respectively.

Poonpit Kangsadan, a Srinakharinwirot University student, agreed that costs in Thailand were lower than overseas. Her two summer courses in Britain and Canada cost her parents more than Bt100,000 each. She thus decided to study for her bachelor's degree in Thailand.

Prapat Rucktajittakarn, a bachelor's degree student at Ramkhamhaeng University, made a similar decision. He enrolled in the international programme in mass communication multimedia journalism as he wanted to improve his English.

Another benefit is that he will meet foreign students and broaden his perceptions.

"I can study in English, but I don't have to pay as much as if I were to study abroad. I don't need to take an extra English course before enrolment.

"I will meet many people and I can find a job in Thailand. I also have the opportunity to study with Western lecturers without going out of the country," he said.

According to the Commission on Higher Education, most foreign students are enrolling in business-administration programmes.

The other most attractive programmes involve Thai language, marketing, international business, Thai studies, business English, general management, international business management, business and accounting.