Cooperation in International Education Thailand as a Regional Education Centre for Higher Education

Brian Sheehan

This paper examines models of education reform and cooperative arrangements between Thai Educational Institutions and other Educational Institutions in Asia as well as with educational Institutions in other areas (in particular, those in English-speaking countries). A major focus will be on students and Educational Institutions in the People's Republic of China (PRC). China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) places further requirements on China to educate its students, particularly in the English Language, in many areas of activity, to further facilitate this development.

While the emphasis is on tertiary education, models can also be developed to apply in school and vocational education. Models may also cover cooperation between education sectors, i.e.. schools, vocational colleges and universities.

In recent times, the Thai Government has been trying to develop Thailand as a regional education centre and, as indicated, this paper examines this development, particularly with respect to Higher Educational Institutions in Thailand. It will give examples of various areas of cooperation which have already been developed or are in the process of development and also discusses possible/desirable models of such cooperation, as well as coming up with some conclusions and recommendations.