Is Thailand ready to be an education hub?

First of all, Thailand will not be able to become an education centre if the national education system fails to produce qualified human resources for the nation.

Education Minister Jurin Laksanawisit earlier this month said the ministry planned to spend Bt3 billion to turn Thailand into an educational centre by increasing the number of foreign students at home.

Jurin said the ministry would also take part in promoting international schools and colleges to bring these institutions up to international standards.

Thailand is an ideal location to become an educational centre. Apart from its location, the country has been home to several thousand expatriates, who would have to send their children to schools here. Besides, thanks to the history and background, students who are interested in Southeast Asian or Asian studies would naturally prefer to spend a few years in Thailand to enable them to understand the background better than studying from afar.

Jurin said the ministry plans to help promote international educational units in several schools, vocational colleges and universities to encourage foreign students to study in Thailand. The ministry would help schools and colleges to screen international students and set a curriculum to meet the demands of foreign students.

However, the plan will not be effective if the rest of the schools and colleges in Thailand fail to keep up with international standards.

Read more...