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The memorandum of understanding signed last month by a Thai university and an Egyptian one means that young Thai Muslims will be given more opportunities to further their studies overseas in subjects other than theology. |The agreement emerged as officials sought ways to encourage Thai students in Egypt and other countries in the Middle East to consider studying subjects apart from religion, by the far the most popular field chosen by Thai students, especially those from the South.

The MoU signed by Thailand's Bansomdej Chaopraya Rajabhat University and Egypt's October 6 University will result in more educational cooperation between the two nations. Under the agreement, the Egyptian institution will provide 10 scholarships, while Egyptian students will be able to study in the Kingdom under a student-exchange programme.

Egypt, a popular destination for higher education among Thai Muslims, offers them a great chance to study the Arabic language, literature, tourism, international relations, management and other sciences in addition to Islamic studies.

Most of the 2,000-plus Thai students are based in Cairo, where they go to al-Azhar University, a centre of Arabic literature and Islamic learning and the world's second oldest surviving university. Founded in AD 975, the institution's mission includes the propagation of Islamic religion and culture.

During the Surayud Chulanont government, suggestions had been floated about al-Azhar opening up a branch in Thailand. This should be followed through.

Apart from al-Azhar, now Thai students will be able to study at a different establishment, the October 6 University, a privately run institution located near Giza.

With this new opportunity, one can only hope that Thai-Muslim youngsters will be able to broaden their horizons that previously were narrowed down to theology. One of the reasons for this is that there are plenty of scholarships available for Islamic studies - a great plus for poor families who may have to sell their farms just to get their children educated.

The other reason why many opt for theology is because their parents want them to do so, and upon returning, these students end up becoming teachers at religious schools.

The point here is that not enough Thai-Muslim students are getting trained in other equally important disciplines that would help the country develop further. At present, it is generally believed that Thailand needs experts who are not only well versed in Arabic but also in economics, law and politics.

Besides, not every theology student is fluent in Arabic, because language and theology are two completely different disciplines.

Then there is individual interest. Very few theology students pay adequate attention to general knowledge, and few even pick up facts of the country they live in.

It's no easy task finding Thai students in Egypt with a good grasp of even the basic facts of the Great Pyramids of Giza. The students are either too caught up with their studies or have little interest in the world around them.

It is true that life as a student in the Islamic world can be tough even though the cost of living in Egypt is not that high. In fact, some students spend as long as 14 years completing their bachelors' degree in theology, which in other subjects takes a mere four years.

Still, it's puzzling why these students don't feel the need to take courses in subjects apart from religion, especially since they are going to spend a long enough time in school. I believe they only have themselves to blame for this lack of intellectual interest, something that is reflected in their professional and personal development.

There is no denying that Thailand needs more well-trained personnel in other aspects of the Islamic world.

A recent boom in medical tourism has triggered an influx of Arabic-speaking tourists, yet few former theology students can be found to converse with them.

Thailand also needs more professionals in the diplomatic circles who are both Muslim and fluent in Arabic. Every year thousands of Thai Muslims go to Mecca to perform the Hajj, and in some sacred areas there, only Muslim ambassadors can enter to provide help and care for their compatriots. Sadly, since many Thai envoys to the Middle East are Buddhist, they cannot do this job.

In addition, we need more Muslim journalists, politicians, senators, governors, ministers, lawyers and doctors. Given Thailand's liberal leanings, one is given complete freedom in choosing one's career regardless of religion and ethnicity. Everybody, whether they are Muslim or follow other faiths, is given every opportunity and right to make their mark in their chosen field.

A special envoy in Islamic affairs, himself a Thai Muslim, has been touring cities in the Middle East to tell Thai students about the prospects of studying disciplines besides theology. At a recent meeting with Thai students in Jordan, he highlighted the possibility of more Thai Muslims playing an important role in driving Thailand's trade in halal products, an area that needs qualified personnel.

Still, what they study is entirely up to the youngsters, though one can only hope they will go for subjects that don't benefit just themselves but also society at large.