International College, explains why her students need well-rounded
skills
Students at Mahidol University International College (MUIC) are recognised
both national and internationally, often winning awards and representing
Thailand at international meetings, summits and conferences. Last year, they
picked up 57 awards and certificates, up from 32 awards in 2009.
Much of their success is their own making but standing right behind them
for the last two years and doing more than a little pushing is Rassmidara
Hoonsawat, MUIC's dean.
"I'm proud to be one of the supporters. I try to promote my students'
leadership and many skills. I encourage them to have well-rounded skills
so they have wider vision, which means they'll be wanted by international
companies or organisations. "And to be well-rounded, students have to learn
different culture and languages," she says.
That's why MUIC has a thriving student exchange programme. Launched 10
years ago, the college was recognised with "Best Practice Award in Student
Exchange Programme" by the Office of Higher Education Commission late last
year after Rassmidara passed on MUIC's experience to other universities at a
presentation session.
The dean, whose two years in the position ended on Thursday but who will
no doubt maintain an interest in MUIC even after moving to her new job as
acting dean of the University's College of Management this month, also used
internships as a way of exposing her students to life in other countries. All in
all, the college arranged 63 outbound exchanges last year, involving 10 per
cent of its intake, up from 46 in 2009, and hosted exchange students from
16 countries, among them Germany, Canada, the US, the UK, Australia and
Japan.
This college also welcomed 98 visiting groups of from foreign institutions
during the last academic year, up from 48 in 2009 and 21 in 2008.
Rassmidara says she hopes the award will attract more foreigners to visit the
college.
Her attempt to promote well-rounded skill has also boosted another of MUIC's
strong points: its liberal arts programme.
"We are very successful at teaching in English at a Thai university. Our vision
is to be one of the top international colleges in Asia. Our mission is to produce
well-rounded graduates and to excel in broad international education,
research and academic services for the benefit of humankind."
"We focus on liberal arts. So, our students have to be well-rounded. We
provide a broad education. All freshmen in different fields have to study
general education. The exchange programme is vital as it means our students
learn other languages and other cultures," she adds.
"If possible, students should minor in a third language or another subject. An
example would be a major in business administration and a minor in applied
mathematics or a field that matches their interest and the career they intend
to pursue," says Rassmidara.
MUIC's liberal arts programme offers many choices of courses to foreign
students, which helps to promote the student exchange programme.
Rassmidara has been trying to find 14 partner universities in the US with
liberal arts and business administration programmes already accredited by the
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
"We will go in the same direction as those universities. MUIC has set up a
panel that will work on the international accreditation. Our vision is to turn
MUIC into the first liberal arts college in this region accredited by AACSB."
She will also be asking MUIC's new dean to help the college in its national
mission as head of several provincial-level universities to promote tourism
through Thai history and culture.
"We received the Creative Academy Award along with grants from Commerce
Ministry in December last year, under which we are charged with helping
local universities promote historical and cultural tourism. We have related
curriculum and master degrees and we have the know-how. The grants are
valid over three years. MUIC will work with partners from six universities in
different regions. I have already set up a team of MUIC lecturers to continue
this project. They will provide the academic services to educate tourism
related agencies to conserve and promote history and culture."
"I want the team to do the project well. If they use prominent parts of
our culture and history to promote tourism in a suitable way, it will have a
positive effect on the communities, provinces and also on the country."
"I will ask the next dean of MUIC to help them. It's a challenging project."
Rassmidara has been involved with Mahidol University for 36 years but says
she won't stop working for as long as her health remains good.
"I like working. If I'm healthy, I will continue working. So far, my health is so
good. I'm energetic. I'm happy using my energy," she smiles.
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