At the signing ceremony of a memorandum of agreement (MoA) to launch
the program on 2 June 2011 at Rangsit
University, senior officials stressed the win-win nature of the
academic partnership that draws on the respective strengths of each
higher learning institution located in Pathumthani province.
The English-only Unified Program allows students to earn a bachelor in
engineering from RSU, and then further their graduate-level engineering
studies at AIT. RSU will initially offer a Bachelor of Engineering
(B.Eng.) in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computing
Engineering. The accelerated nature of the curriculum means students
will save money in tuition, and gain a jump in the workplace and income
earning potential, officials said.
Witnessing the agreement, H.E. Dr. Tej Bunnag, Former Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, AIT, expressed
delight that AIT would be cooperating with RSU over the next five
years. “Together we will pioneer a new educational experience in
Thailand,” he said.
The presidents of AIT and RSU each emphasized that producing
highly-skilled Thai graduates who are fluent in the English language
and able to compete and thrive in the competitive international
marketplace is a key goal of the Unified Program.
Calling the new agreement “a great step forward for international
engineering education and sustainable development in Thailand,” AIT
President Prof. Said Irandoust said RSU’s mission mirrors AIT’s. He
said both institutions seek to educate graduates with up-to-date
technological knowledge and instill a sense of societal purpose.
“Today’s enormous challenges require universities to collaborate,” he
said, explaining AIT’s desire to partner with a university committed to
quality higher education with an international outlook.
The partnership is in-line with the vision of Dr. Arthit Urairat, RSU
President, who is steering his university towards greater
internationalization with academic programs designed to support the
advancement of Thailand within the emerging ASEAN region.
“This program is a great opportunity for Thai students and those at
RSU specifically, to go deeper in terms of their capability in
engineering and technology,” he said, calling AIT “the most prestigious
higher learning institute of technology and engineering in Asia.”
Dr. Arthit spoke of the critical role that technology and improved
language skills must play in advancing Thailand’s development.
“Technology and internationalization must go hand-in-hand,” he
emphasized. The Unified Program has two key advantages for Thai
students: language and affordability, Dr. Arthit added.
Dr. Somboon Sooksatra, Dean, College of Engineering, RSU, expects
improved research results through the tie-up. RSU faculty will jointly
serve as research advisors for the students, he said.
“Students under the Unified program will also have the full right to
use all facilities at the two institutes, and attend any activities
beneficial to students, said Jeroen G. Schedler, Assistant President
for Internationalization, RSU.
Through the partnership, RSU undergraduates can immediately benefit
from AIT’s unique and highly cosmopolitan mix of nationalities and
cultures, Dr. Tej added.
The Unified Program now invites applications for admission to RSU’s
2012 first semester. Officials expect to enroll 60 students in the
inaugural freshman class.
From left to right: H.E.Dr. Tej Bunnag,
Prof. Said Irandoust and Dr. Arthit Urairat.