HIGHER STUDIES IN THAILAND

In recent years the number of Bangladeshi students eager to go abroad for higher education has increased noticeably. Studying abroad not only results in achieving foreign degrees but also relevant skills and enriched experiences, as young individuals expose themselves to global cultures. 

For Bangladeshis, the countries mostly preferred for higher education are the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. However, some students also choose several good universities in Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia, India and Thailand. I recently visited some of the best ranked universities of Thailand courtesy of the Royal Thai Embassy. I observed that these universities offer excellent academic environment in the global competition for the world's brightest minds. International programmes have been widely encouraged to promote a global education in Thailand. As a result, the number of international programmes taught at Thai higher education institutions has increased considerably.

MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY
Located in the capital Bangkok, Mahidol University is the highest ranked of all universities in Thailand, having placed 44th in the QS University Rankings: Asia 2015 and 257th in the QS World University Rankings 2014/15. It was established in 1888 as Thailand's first medical school, which later became the University of Medical Sciences in 1943. Mahidol University is now a public research university with a specific emphasis on health sciences. The school receives the biggest research budget in the country, at around USD 147 million annually.

With 17 faculties, 6 colleges and 8 institutes, Mahidol University's current student population is just over 28,000 (19,000 undergraduates and 9,000 graduates). The university also has 5 university hospitals providing 4000 beds for patients, 2 dental hospitals and 2 animal hospitals.

In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2015, Mahidol University ranks among the world's top 100 universities to study medicine, the subject for which it is best known, and also ranks among the world's top universities for biological sciences, chemistry, modern languages and pharmacy.

The university actively pursues contacts with overseas universities and institutes and promotes collaborative activities including student and faculty exchange, joint training programmes, academic conferences and seminars, plus other types of academic cooperation. 

"We currently have cooperative agreements at the university or faculty level with more than 200 universities and institutions in over 40 countries worldwide," according to the university authority.

Right now they have a cooperative agreement with North South University of Bangladesh. 

Supanni Chantkran, Ph.D., the acting assistant to the president, believes that true success is not learning but about using it for the mankind. Interested individuals can go to www.mahidol.ac.th/en/ for more information about their curriculum and admission procedure. 

MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE (MUIC)
With its rigorous classes and accomplished faculty, MUIC has earned a reputation among Thai students for being the most academically challenging international college in the country. Studying at MUIC builds a strong foundation for graduate studies abroad, and provides a significant advantage in job market where fluency in English and international savvy are becoming more and more important each year.

MUIC currently enjoys formal exchange agreements with 44 universities in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, in addition to informal associations with over 100 universities and educational agencies from around the world. It has international students representing 35 countries from 6 continents – constituting almost 20 percent of the total student population.

For international students, MUIC offers the opportunity to study in Thailand outside the typical "exchange student bubble." Because all classes at MUIC are taught in English, foreign students are not kept separate from their Thai classmates, and may take classes in any department. 

KASETSART UNIVERSITY
Kasetsart University is internationally known for its academic excellence and work of world standard. Kasetsart University gathers wisdom, creates knowledge and hones intelligent personalities who are capable of competing in the world. In addition, it takes responsibility in playing a role in restoring the Thai culture. 

Anyone interested in learning more about higher studies in Thailand, may contact the office of BSB Global Network 
(Ph: 9890523, 9861790-4, Email: bsb@bsbbd.com) or Orange Bangladesh Ltd (Ph: 01847131001, 
Email: info@orangebangladesh.com)