Global Ascent of Thai Universities in International Rankings
In the dynamic landscape of global education, universities in Southeast Asia are making significant strides to establish themselves as prominent players in the international education market. This is evident in the efforts of institutions like Chulalongkorn University in Thailand and Universiti Malaya in Malaysia, each employing unique strategies to attract international students and enhance their global competitiveness.
Chulalongkorn University, Thailand's oldest university, has seen an increase in the number of foreign students, currently around 3,200. This growth is a testament to the university's International Growth Strategy, which focuses on academic excellence, cross-cultural inclusivity, and global partnership development. The strategy includes extensive orientation programs, student mobility initiatives like the 3+1 academic programme, partnerships within the ASEAN University Network, and efforts to enhance global competitiveness.
Universiti Malaya, the oldest higher-education institution in Malaysia, has also been making strides in the global arena. The university broke into the Top 100 in the 2021 edition of the QS World University Rankings and requires undergraduates to travel abroad at least once, supported by financial assistance. This initiative promotes international exposure and strengthens staff and student exchanges.
Other Southeast Asian institutions focus on affordability, safety, cultural richness, and rising academic competitiveness to attract international students. Regional collaborations and exchange programmes are common, helping to improve visibility and build cross-border academic ties. For instance, over 1,900 UPM students travelled abroad this year for exchanges, internships, research, and conferences.
Malaysia's Education Blueprint (2015-2025) aims to attract international students by promoting transnational education through branch campuses and emphasising English-medium instruction. This, coupled with Malaysia's open attitude, multicultural lifestyle, availability of international food, English-speaking environment, and modern infrastructure, makes it an attractive destination for long-term stay.
The region's universities are also collaborating to increase their presence in high-impact academic journals and build strategic partnerships at home and abroad. This collaboration is evident in initiatives like the ASEAN University Network (AUN), which enables students to participate in intercultural exchange programmes such as AUN Summer Camps focused on sustainable development and leadership skills.
In conclusion, universities in Southeast Asia are making concerted efforts to boost their international presence and student mobility. These strategies reflect a broader effort to become more prominent players in the global education market by fostering international mobility, raising university rankings, and creating programs enriching intercultural and global competence.
- Chulalongkorn University's International Growth Strategy encompasses learning opportunities and self-development by implementing extensive orientation programs, student mobility initiatives like the 3+1 academic programme, partnerships within the ASEAN University Network, and efforts to enhance global competitiveness.
- Universiti Malaya's initiative to require undergraduates to travel abroad at least once, supported by financial assistance, is a part of their education-and-self-development approach aimed at promoting international exposure, strengthening staff and student exchanges, and fostering global competence.
