Education journalists' journey to Australian institutions as part of Study in Australia 2010 campaign (Destination : Perth - Adelaide - Hobart)
In June 2009, Thai journalists undertook a Study in Australia 2010 initiative visit to Australia visiting 14 institutions across all education sectors in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania. The first destination was Perth where the group visited 7 institutions namely The University of Western Australia, Murdoch University, Curtin University, Canning College, Tuart College, West Coast TAFE, and Edith Cowan University. The next city was Adelaide where they visited The University of Adelaide, Flinders University, Australian Science and Mathematics School, and TAFE South Australia. The last stop was Tasmania where we went to University of Tasmania, Tasmanian Polytechnic, and Australian Maritime College. Throughout the program, journalists had opportunities to meet several outstanding Thai students. Below are the news appeared in the Thai media as a result of this fruitful visit. We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude towards all journalists participated in this program and for institutions and organisations involved for their hospitality and support.
Note: The English translation is just a summary, not the full translation of each article.
Kom Chad LuekDate : 21 June 2009Touring 13 education institutes in Australia
English Translation (Summary)
Most of Thai students in Australia take vocational courses, followed by English language, higher education, and high school.
The media visit started with The University of Western Australia which is renowned for research in Agriculture, Medicine, Engineering, Clean Energy, Ores and Mining.
Murdoch University was the second destination. The university is outstanding for its Engineering, Law, Veterinary. The vet hospital is also located in the campus. There is also a radio and television news centre. The on-line news production is the key focus. Students can learn from the real environment and practice their versatility to be able to compete in the real world. The media group has talked to a 32-year-old former professor from Sri Patum University, Wigrai Thanadechteemapat and Professor Rapeeporn Chamchong from Mahasarakam University. Both of them are studying Doctorate level in Information Technology at Murdoch University. Wigrai is the first Thai to receive scholarship at doctorate level from Murdoch. Both of them also work part time at the university because they are specialised in IT.
Curtin University was the third stop. The university was specialised in Business Administration, Medical Science, Engineering and Pharmacy.
The media group also visited Tuart College and had an opportunity to interview a Thai student who is now studying Grade 11 preparing herself to enter The University of Western Australia's Department of Medicines.
Other destinations that the media group visit included West Coast Tafe Joondalup campus, Edith Cowan University, The University of Adelaide, Flinders University, University of Tasmania, Tasmanian Polytechnic and Australian Maritime College.
The media group had opportunities to interview Thai students who are currently studying in these institutions including Dr Nattira Sooksudech who received The Thai Commission on Higher Education's scholarship to do her PhD in Dentistry and Ms Benjaporn Homkachorn who is doing PhD in Medical Science with the focus on the use of molecule of genes to rehabilitate dead brain cells.
แก้ไขข้อความในเนื้อหาข่าว ย่อหน้าที่สาม แก้เป็น "รัฐเวสเทิร์นออสเตรเลียมีเพิร์ทเป็นเมืองหลวง"
Matichon
Date : 24 June 2009
Visit to education destinations in Perth, Adelaide and Hobart (1)Written by Jurairat Phongsaphichart
English Translation (Summary)
Four Thai journalists and with three Malaysian journalists took part in the media visit to Perth, Adelaide and Hobart. The visit was organised by Australian Education International (AEI) and Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). Comparing to big cities like Sydney and Melbourne, there are not many Thai livings, working or studying in these three cities. Perth, Adelaide and Hobart are tranquil and have more natural surrounding which are suitable for those who want to avoid the crowded environment. Australians who live in the three cities are highly hospitable and kind to foreigners.
Education Management in Perth, Adelaide and Hobart are second to none either to Sydney or Melbourne. Many areas of studies are known to be top in the country or even of the world.
Education system in Australia is divided into pre-school, primary level, secondary level, vocational education training and tertiary studies. Tertiary studies are divided into bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master degree and doctor of philosophy.
For those who are interested to learn only English language, Australia also has English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students or ELICOS.
Apart from AUD 450 for visa fees, international students have to pay for tuition and other costs in advance which is cheaper than those of UK or USA. The rate of living, accommodation, and transportation costs depend on the location of particular institution. Big cities like Sydney and Melbourne requires higher living cost to dwell in, followed by Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
Foreign students are allowed to work maximum 20 hours per week during the semester. They are also offered to have permanent residence: PR status in Australia if their skills and knowledge are need in the country. This is another reason for rising numbers of international students to Australia.
แก้ไขข้อความในเนื้อหาข่าว บรรทัดที่สองของหน้าแรก แก้เป็น "Australian Education International"
Kom Chad Luek
Date : 28 June 2009
The challenge of learning English among Thai students
Written by Hathairat Deeprasert
English Translation (Summary)
Associate Professor Prasert Chanudom is determined to study on-line doctoral degree at Flinders University after realising that English teaching in Thailand mostly emphasises on grammar and vocabularies, but rarely focuses on preparing students for real world application. Though students learn English from Grade 5 to bachelor level, they still need to learn English for another 6 months to one year before further their studies overseas.
Another 23 years old Thai student, Chanida Lertwittayapat is currently studying diploma in interior design at TAFE South Australia. She said she had to go through one-year English course first because she had problems in communication and listening.
Tan Poomsit Apiwattanakorn is a staff from South Australia Education Group who has good English communication skill. He has been assigned to teach 10 Thai students and he said most Thai students spend approximately one year to learn English before further their studies.
Similan Jitjaroen had studied in Germany since she was 9 years old as her mother, Assistant Dr Wanphen Jitjaroen, received scholarship to study doctoral degree in Germany. Similan is currently studying Year 11 at Glenunga International High School because her mother received Endeavour Research Fellowship. She said studying Grade 11 in Australia gave her valuable experience as she can have an open discussion with teachers and classmates and conduct self-research while in Thailand, students have to listen and follow teachers’ instructions.
MatichonDate : 29 June 2009Visit education destinations in Perth, Adelaide and Hobart (2)Written by Jurairat Phongsaphichart English Translation (Summary)Perth is the fourth most popular city among Thai students following Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. It is the biggest city in Western Australia with approximately 1.5 million populations. Tuition fee varies by the type of programs and level. The fees of English course range between AUD1,300-11,500 per year. Fees in vocational courses are approximately AUD 4,500-9,000 per year. Tuition costs at bachelor level range from AUD 12,000 to 19,000 per year and AUD 6,000-20,000 for master and doctoral levels. The pre-university entrance courses are around AUD 10,000-14,000 per year.
The University of Western Australia or UWA is one of the five most popular universities, judging from numbers of students enrolled in the master and doctoral levels and research works. Research study of UWA ranks Australia’s top third or fourth. Most of the research studies emphasise on plants and clean energy. International students are accounted for 20% of UWA students. UWA also allies with Thai universities including Khon Khan University and Chiang Mai University. Distinguished alumni from UWA includes Dr. Varakorn Samkoses, former Deputy Minister of Education; and Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, Former Minister of Commerce.
Barry J. Marshall, a researcher at UWA received Nobel prize in 2005 in physiology and medicine through his discovery of Helicobacter pylori bacteria.
Murdoch University
There are approximately 10-15 Thai students studying in Veterinary Science at Murdoch University. Veterinary Science at Murdoch is Australia’s most famous. Besides, Communication program here is also outstanding. The university also has overseas campuses in Singapore and Dubai. The university is looking to develop linkages with Thai universities, hopefully by the end of this year.
Curtin University
There are about 8,000 international students, mostly Malaysians, out of total 41,000 students. Currently, there are about 50 Thai students here. Most of them are doing Master and Doctoral degrees in Business Administration.
Canning College- There are currently 3 Thai students here.
Tuart College
The college is renowned in “adult education”. It opens for Grade 1-12, Certificate Diploma or TAFE: Technical and Further Education. The college is well known for its national diversities. 38% of the enrolled students are Chinese followed by 21% Malaysians and 23% Vietnamese. There are only 2 Thai students here.
Edith Cowan University (ECU)
The number of students enrolled in this university is the second top in Perth following Curtin University. The university is renowned for mass communication program. Hollywood star, Hugh Jackman, also graduated his Performing Art study from ECU. He sometimes visits the university to help teaching students.
Anyone who is interested in studying in Perth can find more details at www.pertheducationcity.com.au แก้ไขข้อความในเนื้อหาข่าว ชื่อมหาวิทยาลัยที่ถูกต้องคือ "The University of Western Australia"
MatichonDate : 30 June 2009
Touring educational institutes in Perth, Adelaide and Hobart (3 - last) Writer Jurairat Phongsaphichart
English Translation (Summary)
Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, was the next destination for our media group. The city is renowned for business and trading. It is also a hub for Australia’s food and wine gourmets and the place where Australia’s third oldest university locates.
The costs of studying in Adelaide are the lowest in Australia; 18% lower than Sydney; 15% lower than Melbourne; 7% lower than Perth and 5% lower than Brisbane.
The University of Adelaide, the country’s third oldest university, is over 170 years old. The university is renowned in sciences and medical sciences. There are about 60 Thai students currently studying in the university. Five Nobel prize winners are related to the university. They are Sir William Henry Bragg in Physics in 1915; William Lawrence Bragg, son of Sir William Henry Bragg, who was quoted to be the youngest Nobel prize winner; Sir Howard Walter Florey in Physiology or Medicine in 1945; John M. Coetzee in Literature in 2003 and J. Robin Warren in Physiology or Medicine in 2005.
Next stop was Flinders University. There are approximately 17,000 students from 80 countries worldwide. The university is famous for its health sciences and medical sciences. Two hospitals affiliated with Flinders University are well-known for their excellence in research.
The media group also visited Tasmania, the smallest state in Australia with unspoiled wilderness landscape. The state is said to be “the cleanest city in the world”. The group visited the University of Tasmania, Australia’s fourth oldest university. There are about 100 Thai students out of 16% international students in the university. The university is outstanding in Marine sciences and Oceanology including the research on ship building. The university has collaboration with Thammasat University in the joint Medical Sciences research.
Australian Maritime College (AMC), affiliated with the University of Tasmania, is the world’s famous for Maritime study. AMC receives budget from the government. It also has collaboration with Barter International Maritime Studies (BIMS), a private organisation providing quality maritime education, training and consultancy services in Thailand. The media group also visited simulator navigation control.
Last destination was Tasmanian Polytechnic. The institute offered various courses including Engineering, Music, hairdressing and Childcares.
If you are looking for a place for your overseas studies, Australia is an interesting option.
แก้ไขข้อความในเนื้อหาข่าว ชื่อสถาบัน AMC ที่ถูกต้องคือ "Australian Maritime College"
และชื่อสถาบันแห่งสุดท้ายคือ "Tasmanian Polytechnic"
Matichon Date : 10 July 2009View points from Thai students in Australia Written by Jurairat Phongsaphichart
English Translation (Summary)
- Rapeeporn Chamchong is currently studying Doctoral Degree in Information Technology at Murdoch University. She said most Thai students have difficulties in language particularly in speaking and listening. She added that international students can work 20 hrs/ week. If any Thai students are fluent in English, they would be able to work as teacher assistant. If they have problem with English, they would work at Thai restaurants.
- Natcharee Sirisupaset is now studying at Tuart College to prepare for the entrance examination to Faculty of Medical Science, The University of Western Australia.
- Kampicha Tantisoom received a scholarship from the Commission on Higher Education to study her doctoral degree in Information Technology at Edith Cowan University, Joondalup campus. Earlier, she was a professor at Rajabhat University, Kampangpetch Campus. She determines to use all the knowledge acquired to help improving the Thai farmers’ living. She reasoned that while Thailand is well known for Agriculture, Thai farmers are poor.
- Chatchai Intata is now pursuing doctoral degree in Environmental Management at Edith Cowan University. He worked at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment before receiving scholarship to study Master degree in Brisbane and Doctoral degree at ECU.
- Natthira Sooksudech was a professor at the Faculty of Dentistry, Thammasat University. She received the scholarship from the university to further her master and doctoral in Dentistry and chose to study at The University of Adelaide. She said Adelaide is a pleasant city. The cost of living there is not too high. She added that The University of Adelaide is a very good university with facilities for international students including an international student centre.
- Watcharapat Soithong is currently studying doctoral degree majoring in political sciences at the University of Adelaide. She also brought her 4 and a half years old kid to Australia with her. She said the expense is very high for family. The school fees for her kid are about AUD3,500 per year and she had to pay AUD 60 per day for the child care centre. She also has to take care of her kid so she can’t work part time. She, however, said her professor understands her problem.
- Pattaporn Sukhonmarn is currently teaching at the University of Adelaide, Department of Economics. She said professors in Australia receive about Bt200,000 a month, but have to pay high taxes. She determines to work there for another 1-2 years before returning to teach in Thailand, probably at the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA).
- Benjaporn Homkajorn is now pursuing Doctoral degree in Health Science at Flinders University. She determines to work in Australia for 4-5 years after graduation before returning to Thailand.
- Chanida Lertwittayapat is currently studying diploma in interior design at TAFE, South Australia.
- Similan Jitjaroen is studying Grade 11 at Glenung International High School because her mother received Endeavour Research Fellowship Award to conduct 6-month post-doctoral research.
- Veerawan Uchaipichart received Endeavour Award to study post-doctoral level at Department of Clinical pharmacology, Flinders University. She added that Australia offers many scholarships for international students. She also recommended Thai students to choose tranquil city, surrounded with foreigners and fewer shopping centres for their education destination rather than big cities which are crowded by Thai students. The costs of living in the big cities are also much higher.
- Kewlin Mahakoonkitcharoen is a Law student at the University of Tasmania. She was an exchange student in USA before but still did not have the courage to speak English when she firstly came to Australia. After adapting herself to the learning method and environment there for a while, she have more courage to ask questions with professors.
- Sumet Srihong is pursuing Doctoral degree in Evaluation and Assessment through computer at the University of Tasmania. He has been staying here for six years as he does not like to stay in big cities like Sydney or Melbourne because there are many Thai students.
- Pongrat Sukchit is now studying in Medical Sciences at the University of Tasmania. He wants to become a specialised doctor in Australia before returning to Thailand to teach Medical students. He is the only Thai medical student at the university. His particular interest is in Cancer and Operation studies.
- Pattanasuk Hongskrai could not graduate from a Thai university so he decided to study in Tasmania. The University of Tasmania gave him a chance. He, however, could not graduate from the university so he turned to study Cookery & supervision at Tasmania Polytechic, Alanvale Campus where he has obtained great practical knowledge. He is now a professional chef at Hotel Grand Chancellor in Tasmania. He is also studying administration as he has a dream of becoming a chef Administrator one day.
- Poowadol Niyomka is studying at Australia Marine College since his family has business in propeller repairing. He, initially, wanted to study in propeller area, but there is no such specific area offered at the college. He therefore chose to study Engineering in ship construction. He is the only Thai studying here.
Matichon WeekendDate : 3-9 July 2009
Study in Australia: Excellent academic but not expensive English Translation (Summary)
Australia is one of popluar education destinations among Thai students. It has been known for cheaper tuition fees and costs of livings than those of other countries including the US and the UK.
Most Thai students choose to study in Sydney and Melbourne. The education system in Australia in general is much the same in all states. Education system in Australia is divided into pre-school, primary level, secondary level, vocational education training and tertiary studies. Tertiary studies are divided into Bachelor degree, Graduate certificate, Graduate diploma, Master degree and Docotral degree. For those who are interested to learn only English language, Australia also has English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students or ELICOS.
Adelaide is a home of Australia’s third oldest university, the University of Adelaide. Hobart is accepted for its education quality.
From the interview with marketing officers in many cities, all of them agreed that despite the global economic recession, the numbers of foreign students in Australia have been continually increasing. From the interview with Thai students, most of them said they do not have much problem over food or the weather. The main difficulty among Thai students is language. Some of them, though are fluent in English, have to take months to be familiar with Australian accent.
Since Australia is a destination for many international students, Australians understand international students’ problems well, particularly Thai students' problem. They renders help to international students, particularly over language barrier.
From the talk with Honorary Consul in Tasmania, Abhirat Achalabun, Australia is a very safe country. Everywhere in the country welcomes foreigners. Thai students, therefore, do not have to prepare themselves much to stay in Australia. It takes only a couple of months to learn Australian culture and norms. Over racism, he insisted that most Australians are hospitable. .
Bangkok Post Date : 4 August 2009
Study in Australia : Perth
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