Thailand To Get Its First British University

[bigbamboo]

I have never heard of The University of Central Lancashire and I was brought up in Lancashire.

Sent from iPhone; please forgive any typos or violations of forum rules

I believe UCLan was once called Preston Polytechnic

Must say I have never heard of it so it must be some third rate (ex Poly) establishment - perfect for Thailand then

I have no idea where Preston is in England and I have never heard it mentioned anywhere as a place of learning or importance.

Preston is important in the history of the world's greatest game, football.

[naboo]

The University of Nottingham - a university considerably better than the ex-polytechnic in the OP I'd never heard of, has campuses in Malaysia and China. My kids will be going there unless a more local alternative comes up that is of similar standing.

[bkk_mike]

It's not going to be populated with British students (or very unlikely to be unless they're doing a course in Asian language or something relevant to coming to Thailand). It's more likely to be populated with Asian students who don't have the bank balances required for a visa to the UK (or studying in the UK) now that student visas no longer give the student the right to work part-time to help pay their living expenses..

As far as student union bars are concerned, the drinking age in Thailand is 21, so there's a reason there are no bars at Universities here as the only ones that would technically be allowed to drink there would be mature students, post-grads and professors. (and the odd person in the final year of their Bachelor's degree who'd passed their 21st birthday already).

[sunkist]

Seems Thailand should be worried about their soverienty like they were with NASA. Seems standards likely uniformity....I am so surprised.

[Thai at Heart]

Personally I welcome this as a good move that hopefully will see a raising of the educational bar in Thailand. Surely increasing the number of educational establishments and the diversity of them here is a positive thing... although reading the majority of comments I struggle to see that anything would be welcomed as a positive move unless it involved free beer and viagra...

Even if the standards are no better than most existing Thai universities I would have thought that the fact they will be teaching courses in English, would be a great bonus for those seeking to work outside of Thailand in the future. With the preconceptions attached to Thailand, as expressed so succinctly on here daily, I expect many students would prefer to hold a degree from a British Uni as opposed to a Thai one, just to escape the stigma.

Brace yourself Buddy....it's me again.... and....

I completely agree with you. This can only possibly be a good thing for all concerned. I have been considering myself taking a course in something or other, but never liked the idea of going through the Thai university system due to standards of tuition (learn by rote as opposed to critical discussion) as well as the language. Sure they are a piss pot uni but they will hopefully run a solid curriculum, and as I would be doing the course for fun more than anything else, it would be just the ticket.

Also, due to the bribery and corruption laws in the UK where the Dean there can be chucked in jail if anything untoward occurs, I should think it would be squeaky clean.

I wonder if the uniforms will be the same though?

How will they handle only 6 hours of lectures a week add i had 20 years ago, but expected 60 hours of reading?

[DoctorG]

Will students be allowed to fail their exams?

This was going to be my question too.

The true test of a "real" university is to fail students that do not make their grades.

[blazes]

Will students be allowed to fail their exams?

This was going to be my question too.

The true test of a "real" university is to fail students that do not make their grades.

Yes, that would be the "true test", but in fact it is almost impossible to fail in most modern universities, no matter where.

Inflation of grades began at roughly the same time as the Arab oil embargo of 1973. I can vouch (as a former professor) that what was an F in 1970 gradually became a C. (Not even a D.)

So, most universities have a "no-fail" unofficial policy.

It's not written down anywhere, but is a form of self-censorship that everyone adheres to silently (as in former Soviet states where you knew that certain ways of doing things were simply not questioned) .

And try giving a B+ to a graduate student.....and wait for the ruffling of feathers and general cluck-clucking.

Preston North End is famous for Tom Finney. Everyone knows that, surely.

[Thai at Heart]

At least they aren't offering media studies

[theblether]

Will you all just shut up, this is a fantastic idea and that's it!!! Anything that encourages more of these types of images is okay with me, got it????

I am telling you guys, you need to get back in touch with your inner selves!!!!!

Edited July 12, 2012 by theblether

[brit1984]

Will you all just shut up, this is a fantastic idea and that's it!!! Anything that encourages more of these types of images is okay with me, got it????

I am telling you guys, you need to get back in touch with your inner selves!!!!!

The other side of the argument being that this move could bring with it less aesthetically pleasing British style university attire.

It would be a shame, in my opinion, if female university students in Thailand started wearing baggy jeans and rowing hoodies.

Sent from iPhone; please forgive any typos or violations of forum rules

[cdnski12]

I hope the English profs have better accents than my UK Golf Buddies. Sometimes I can only understand every 3rd word. The Pommie accents tend to increase in direct proportion to the number of Beers consumed.

[mca]

Will you all just shut up, this is a fantastic idea and that's it!!! Anything that encourages more of these types of images is okay with me, got it????

I am telling you guys, you need to get back in touch with your inner selves!!!!!

Looking at those pics I want to get in touch with my outer self knowhatimean?

[phuturatica]

Some of the replies to this thread are completely hilarious.

The fact that people still have issues with the fact that some universities used to be a polytechnic need to grow up! Either that or actually research these universities more. Things have changed A LOT in the last 15 years and moved forward quite a lot.

[swillowbee]

... you have to admire this guy's enthusiasm ... but, if he has been here for 3-4 years and hasn't figured out what just happened to him, he might be in for a tough real world lesson on what it means to be a JV partner with a Thai company making money in Thailand's Education Hub ... academicians have a place, but not at the negotiation table on a deal as this.

... good luck to them.

[JimShortz]

5 (i)GCCEs are enough for entrance to thai universities

Which is perhaps an indication of their standards... (I)GCSEs were never intended as preparation for university study - In the British system that's what the two years of A Level study are for; and they DO get you working at a much higher level, and properly ready for university study.

(I)GCSEs are really still at quite a low level (aimed at 15/16 year olds) - it's unbelievable that you can get into ALL Thai university international programmes with them!

God help us...

[a99az]

"We will not compete with Thai universities" Not a good start, for a new university to not be competitive.

[SuneeTH]

Will you all just shut up, this is a fantastic idea and that's it!!! Anything that encourages more of these types of images is okay with me, got it????

I am telling you guys, you need to get back in touch with your inner selves!!!!!

Looking at those pics I want to get in touch with my outer self knowhatimean?

Bursting with Thai goodies?

[BirdsandBooze]

Could be a lot of Thais with Media Studies degrees in the future .

[Arkady]

I can visualise it now --- " Wercome to the Blitish Uniwersity ". Arr our teachERS serpeak wery good Engrish...and so on

Would it not run along the lines of a proper international school, where the majority of academic staff are suitably qualified native speakers? I'd imagine so.

I think it would but spending a few years in the Thai branch of what was Preston Poly will not be seen as a career enhancing move by high flying British academics. So they will inevitably have to fill gaps with teachers from places like India, Malaysia, the Philppines etc. They will also be under great pressure to dumb down admission standards and graduate everyone to conform with academics norms in the host country. Foreign students will come but more likely from Asia and Africa than Europe. Standards will be far lower than the UK but far higher than most Thai universities and students will also have to be fairly proficient in Englilsh. Look at Stamford in Cha Am as a model of what is likely to happen.

So we can add racist as another one of your qualities...

God forbid, teachers from places like India, Malaysia, the Philippines etc? Next they'll be employing doctors and nurses from these countries in the UK, to make up for the shortage in suitable UK applicants... err.. hang on?

Students from Asia and Africa? It just gets worse, doesn't anyone realise that these people are sub standard and don't deserve any higher education?

Just look at Stamford University in Cha Am because that is how it is there. No problem with students from Africa and Asian but the spokesman claimed that students would come from Europe which is extremely unlikely as the expense for them to come and study in Thailand is excessive and employers in Europe would be dubious about a degree from Thailand. If they want to experience Thailand, better to travel there for a gap year or in summer holidays and get a better education and a more credible degree for less overall cost at home.

The point about the teachers is twofold. One they are selling British university education but will not be able to guarantee the same standards of teaching without academics from UK universities. They don't need to be of British nationality. if there were Asian graduates and lecturers from UK universities that would be fine. Standards of teaching in universities in the Philippines are extremely low, probably on a par with Thai universities with the only advantage that they teach in English. In India and Malaysia some are good and some are bad.

OK if you can't get into a British university and/or can't afford to study there, this is probably a worthy substitute but there is no point in going there, if you can go to the UK. There is also probably not much point in going to the real UCLAN, if you can get in somewhere better.

[Ferangled]

Just look at Stamford University in Cha Am because that is how it is there. No problem with students from Africa and Asian but the spokesman claimed that students would come from Europe which is extremely unlikely as the expense for them to come and study in Thailand is excessive and employers in Europe would be dubious about a degree from Thailand. If they want to experience Thailand, better to travel there for a gap year or in summer holidays and get a better education and a more credible degree for less overall cost at home.

The point about the teachers is twofold. One they are selling British university education but will not be able to guarantee the same standards of teaching without academics from UK universities. They don't need to be of British nationality. if there were Asian graduates and lecturers from UK universities that would be fine. Standards of teaching in universities in the Philippines are extremely low, probably on a par with Thai universities with the only advantage that they teach in English. In India and Malaysia some are good and some are bad.

OK if you can't get into a British university and/or can't afford to study there, this is probably a worthy substitute but there is no point in going there, if you can go to the UK. There is also probably not much point in going to the real UCLAN, if you can get in somewhere better.

Have you actually been to the UK recently? In my time at Uni (not UCLAN) I had a diverse range of lecturers, certainly not all English, not even mostly English and what is to say that an English teacher is any better than any other nationality. As you point out there are good and bad from other countries, so surely that applies to the UK?

You claim that African students are better able to afford travel than those from the UK? Really? On what basis do you make these assumptions?

The most pertinent point here is that it creates another option for Thai students and international students wishing to study in Thailand. That is a good thing, and does not merit your scorn. Whether or not it was a former Polytechnic is totally irrelevant and has just brought to the surface some underlying bigotry in certain members.

Is it the best University? No but it's a much better fit to the local demographic than Oxford or Cambridge would be. The flexible entrance requirements mean that it's actually accessible to students here.

Has it ever struck you that there are far more "average" students than there are Oxbridge candidates and that educating the majority is far more important than catering to the elitist minority?

[zydeco]

Just look at Stamford University in Cha Am because that is how it is there. No problem with students from Africa and Asian but the spokesman claimed that students would come from Europe which is extremely unlikely as the expense for them to come and study in Thailand is excessive and employers in Europe would be dubious about a degree from Thailand. If they want to experience Thailand, better to travel there for a gap year or in summer holidays and get a better education and a more credible degree for less overall cost at home.

The point about the teachers is twofold. One they are selling British university education but will not be able to guarantee the same standards of teaching without academics from UK universities. They don't need to be of British nationality. if there were Asian graduates and lecturers from UK universities that would be fine. Standards of teaching in universities in the Philippines are extremely low, probably on a par with Thai universities with the only advantage that they teach in English. In India and Malaysia some are good and some are bad.

OK if you can't get into a British university and/or can't afford to study there, this is probably a worthy substitute but there is no point in going there, if you can go to the UK. There is also probably not much point in going to the real UCLAN, if you can get in somewhere better.

Have you actually been to the UK recently? In my time at Uni (not UCLAN) I had a diverse range of lecturers, certainly not all English, not even mostly English and what is to say that an English teacher is any better than any other nationality. As you point out there are good and bad from other countries, so surely that applies to the UK?

You claim that African students are better able to afford travel than those from the UK? Really? On what basis do you make these assumptions?

The most pertinent point here is that it creates another option for Thai students and international students wishing to study in Thailand. That is a good thing, and does not merit your scorn. Whether or not it was a former Polytechnic is totally irrelevant and has just brought to the surface some underlying bigotry in certain members.

Is it the best University? No but it's a much better fit to the local demographic than Oxford or Cambridge would be. The flexible entrance requirements mean that it's actually accessible to students here.

Has it ever struck you that there are far more "average" students than there are Oxbridge candidates and that educating the majority is far more important than catering to the elitist minority?

Just look at Stamford University in Cha Am because that is how it is there. No problem with students from Africa and Asian but the spokesman claimed that students would come from Europe which is extremely unlikely as the expense for them to come and study in Thailand is excessive and employers in Europe would be dubious about a degree from Thailand. If they want to experience Thailand, better to travel there for a gap year or in summer holidays and get a better education and a more credible degree for less overall cost at home.

The point about the teachers is twofold. One they are selling British university education but will not be able to guarantee the same standards of teaching without academics from UK universities. They don't need to be of British nationality. if there were Asian graduates and lecturers from UK universities that would be fine. Standards of teaching in universities in the Philippines are extremely low, probably on a par with Thai universities with the only advantage that they teach in English. In India and Malaysia some are good and some are bad.

OK if you can't get into a British university and/or can't afford to study there, this is probably a worthy substitute but there is no point in going there, if you can go to the UK. There is also probably not much point in going to the real UCLAN, if you can get in somewhere better.

Have you actually been to the UK recently? In my time at Uni (not UCLAN) I had a diverse range of lecturers, certainly not all English, not even mostly English and what is to say that an English teacher is any better than any other nationality. As you point out there are good and bad from other countries, so surely that applies to the UK?

You claim that African students are better able to afford travel than those from the UK? Really? On what basis do you make these assumptions?

The most pertinent point here is that it creates another option for Thai students and international students wishing to study in Thailand. That is a good thing, and does not merit your scorn. Whether or not it was a former Polytechnic is totally irrelevant and has just brought to the surface some underlying bigotry in certain members.

Is it the best University? No but it's a much better fit to the local demographic than Oxford or Cambridge would be. The flexible entrance requirements mean that it's actually accessible to students here.

Has it ever struck you that there are far more "average" students than there are Oxbridge candidates and that educating the majority is far more important than catering to the elitist minority?

Do you work for these uclan people or something?

[Arkady]

Just look at Stamford University in Cha Am because that is how it is there. No problem with students from Africa and Asian but the spokesman claimed that students would come from Europe which is extremely unlikely as the expense for them to come and study in Thailand is excessive and employers in Europe would be dubious about a degree from Thailand. If they want to experience Thailand, better to travel there for a gap year or in summer holidays and get a better education and a more credible degree for less overall cost at home.

The point about the teachers is twofold. One they are selling British university education but will not be able to guarantee the same standards of teaching without academics from UK universities. They don't need to be of British nationality. if there were Asian graduates and lecturers from UK universities that would be fine. Standards of teaching in universities in the Philippines are extremely low, probably on a par with Thai universities with the only advantage that they teach in English. In India and Malaysia some are good and some are bad.

OK if you can't get into a British university and/or can't afford to study there, this is probably a worthy substitute but there is no point in going there, if you can go to the UK. There is also probably not much point in going to the real UCLAN, if you can get in somewhere better.

Have you actually been to the UK recently? In my time at Uni (not UCLAN) I had a diverse range of lecturers, certainly not all English, not even mostly English and what is to say that an English teacher is any better than any other nationality. As you point out there are good and bad from other countries, so surely that applies to the UK?

You claim that African students are better able to afford travel than those from the UK? Really? On what basis do you make these assumptions?

The most pertinent point here is that it creates another option for Thai students and international students wishing to study in Thailand. That is a good thing, and does not merit your scorn. Whether or not it was a former Polytechnic is totally irrelevant and has just brought to the surface some underlying bigotry in certain members.

Is it the best University? No but it's a much better fit to the local demographic than Oxford or Cambridge would be. The flexible entrance requirements mean that it's actually accessible to students here.

Has it ever struck you that there are far more "average" students than there are Oxbridge candidates and that educating the majority is far more important than catering to the elitist minority?

Re teachers, I don't think you understood what I wrote. I said that it doesn't matter if they are of British nationality as long as they come from the British university system. That is the only way to guarantee that the standard up to the standard of British universities.

I also agreed with you that it could be a good alternative for those who can't get into or afford a British university in the UK.

Perhaps there are African students that could afford to go to either the UK or Thailand but can't get into a UK university. UCLAN Thailand could indeed be a good choice for them if they want to study outside Africa.

European students normally have the option to study at home at subsidised fees and without paying so much in travel costs. I wouldn't be surprised if UCLAN Thailand has to make standard bachelors degree courses four years to cater for Thai students coming in at a low academic level in line with local universities and in the hope of getting them closer to UK graduates' standards. That would add an extra year of costs for British students.

Anyway good luck to all who will study, teach or send there kids there. The environment next to the Best Group's golf course should certainly be a lot nicer than the slag heaps of Preston anyway!

Edited July 13, 2012 by Arkady

[MESmith]

The environment next to the Best Group's golf course should certainly be a lot nicer than the slag heaps of Preston anyway!

Slag heaps of Preston? News to me, but hey, I only grew up there.

[Honkytowner]

The first? I don't think so! There's already at least a couple of these cash-strapped overseas universities, "colleges" and "institutes" in Thailand, linked with similarly desperate local universities, for what they pretentiously call a "double degree". The Mountbatten Institute (U.K.) is partnered with Naresuan University in an "Asian business studies" MBA programme, as was Southern Cross University (Australia) until recently, when they severed ties following a row over endemic cheating, and I hear that Pha Yao University's "Bangkok campus" (operated by the same people who are behind Naresuan's "double-degree" MBA) is actively scouting for partners in a similar venture. There are others, but my information is for the time being sketchy. Watch this space.

[Estrada]

What a bunch of moronic comments. You guys really need to pull your heads out your own <deleted>. If you are shining examples of graduates from "real" British Unis you make a good case for avoiding such establishments...

Polytechnic? Oh my god, how awful... I cringe at your comments. How out of touch are you people? Elitist muppets, the lot of you.

The number of universities in Britain almost doubled this fall, as 38 former polytechnic schools or colleges changed status and names - ending a distinction that had more to do with the nation's deep-rooted class-consciousness than academic reality.

For years, the polytechnics have been turning out some of Britain's best scientists and technologists - without neglecting the humanities and social sciences - while being seen by much of the general public as second best to the traditional universities.... many people looked down on the polytechnics "out of snobbery or ignorance."

I don't think anyone is saying The University of Central Lancashire is not a good university just because it was formerly a polytechnic.

The fact is standards vary between universities and are measured and compared via various rankings, none of which rank this university towards the top.

Where would you prefer your children to study if they had a choice between Cambridge University or Anglia Ruskin University (formerly Anglia polytechnic)?

Sent from iPhone; please forgive any typos or violations of forum rules

What a bunch of moronic comments. You guys really need to pull your heads out your own <deleted>. If you are shining examples of graduates from "real" British Unis you make a good case for avoiding such establishments...

Polytechnic? Oh my god, how awful... I cringe at your comments. How out of touch are you people? Elitist muppets, the lot of you.

The number of universities in Britain almost doubled this fall, as 38 former polytechnic schools or colleges changed status and names - ending a distinction that had more to do with the nation's deep-rooted class-consciousness than academic reality.

For years, the polytechnics have been turning out some of Britain's best scientists and technologists - without neglecting the humanities and social sciences - while being seen by much of the general public as second best to the traditional universities.... many people looked down on the polytechnics "out of snobbery or ignorance."

I don't think anyone is saying The University of Central Lancashire is not a good university just because it was formerly a polytechnic.

The fact is standards vary between universities and are measured and compared via various rankings, none of which rank this university towards the top.

Where would you prefer your children to study if they had a choice between Cambridge University or Anglia Ruskin University (formerly Anglia polytechnic)?

Sent from iPhone; please forgive any typos or violations of forum rules

Here lies the rub. I studied for exams to be taken by London University. We practiced on Cambridge and Oxford University past papers because they were regarded as the easiest exams to pass. Cambridge and Oxford standards were at the time lower presumably to up the pass rate and keep the mainly well to do upper classes and aristocracy happy that their offspring obtained a Degree from a Prestigious University. In reality, in my experience, the best Universities are those founded by the great Engineers of history such as Richard Arkwright and James Watt. Cambridge and Oxford seem to specialise in churning out politicians whereas in my view we need are more skllied Engineers, and let's face it, Countries always seem to run better when the Politicans are on vacation.

[brit1984]

I don't think anyone is saying The University of Central Lancashire is not a good university just because it was formerly a polytechnic.

The fact is standards vary between universities and are measured and compared via various rankings, none of which rank this university towards the top.

Where would you prefer your children to study if they had a choice between Cambridge University or Anglia Ruskin University (formerly Anglia polytechnic)?

Sent from iPhone; please forgive any typos or violations of forum rules

Here lies the rub. I studied for exams to be taken by London University. We practiced on Cambridge and Oxford University past papers because they were regarded as the easiest exams to pass. Cambridge and Oxford standards were at the time lower presumably to up the pass rate and keep the mainly well to do upper classes and aristocracy happy that their offspring obtained a Degree from a Prestigious University. In reality, in my experience, the best Universities are those founded by the great Engineers of history such as Richard Arkwright and James Watt. Cambridge and Oxford seem to specialise in churning out politicians whereas in my view we need are more skllied Engineers, and let's face it, Countries always seem to run better when the Politicans are on vacation.

Which century was this in? When I went to Oxford (matriculated 2003), most of the students were working-class or middle-class. From my understanding, that has been the case for a long time.

I do not deny that Oxford and Cambridge are breeding grounds for the world's future leaders (of government and industry) but I do not understand how that could be construed as a negative.

I agree with you that engineers are important, and there is indeed a global shortage of them right now, but (again) I really do not understand the relevance of that to my post (which you quoted).

[Baerboxer]

Will students be allowed to fail their exams?

This was going to be my question too.

The true test of a "real" university is to fail students that do not make their grades.

Yes - British educational standards - schools, universities and proffessional qualifications via chartered professional bodies are strictly monitored and controlled. So not everyone passes.

Guess what - students fail in Thailand. Yes, I know that 50% of a course at Kasetsart failed the English module on a master's course. They had to pay extra to do a retake. 60% failed the retake. They now have to wait until next year to resit and cannot progress to graduation until passing. The academic content and volume of work on this particular course compares with any I've seen in the UK.

A friend's son failed one module of an engineering degree at Rangsit University which has meant his plans to follow up wiht a masters in the UK have now been scuppered. Not allowed to retake.

Many European and American professors and doctors already act as visiting professors to Thai universities - have a chat with some of them if you get the chance. They'll give you a good opinion on the state of education in Thailand and their own countries. Which doesn't sound like some of the drivel I read on TV! Some American qualifactions would be hard to fail providing you turned up often enough, and paid your fees of course.

Passing exams and tests are and should not be one off experiences. If people don't meet the required standard it may be due to a combination of things that need addressing.

[Baerboxer]

What a bunch of moronic comments. You guys really need to pull your heads out your own <deleted>. If you are shining examples of graduates from "real" British Unis you make a good case for avoiding such establishments...

Polytechnic? Oh my god, how awful... I cringe at your comments. How out of touch are you people? Elitist muppets, the lot of you.

The number of universities in Britain almost doubled this fall, as 38 former polytechnic schools or colleges changed status and names - ending a distinction that had more to do with the nation's deep-rooted class-consciousness than academic reality.

For years, the polytechnics have been turning out some of Britain's best scientists and technologists - without neglecting the humanities and social sciences - while being seen by much of the general public as second best to the traditional universities.... many people looked down on the polytechnics "out of snobbery or ignorance."

I don't think anyone is saying The University of Central Lancashire is not a good university just because it was formerly a polytechnic.

The fact is standards vary between universities and are measured and compared via various rankings, none of which rank this university towards the top.

Where would you prefer your children to study if they had a choice between Cambridge University or Anglia Ruskin University (formerly Anglia polytechnic)?

Sent from iPhone; please forgive any typos or violations of forum rules

Depends on what course they would be takling. Cambridge and Oxford are not the "be all and end all" of British universities, anymore than Eton and Harrow are for schools.

[Baerboxer]

The environment next to the Best Group's golf course should certainly be a lot nicer than the slag heaps of Preston anyway!

Slag heaps of Preston? News to me, but hey, I only grew up there.

Yes, don't think Preston had many coalmines!

[Baerboxer]

I hope the English profs have better accents than my UK Golf Buddies. Sometimes I can only understand every 3rd word. The Pommie accents tend to increase in direct proportion to the number of Beers consumed.

Interesting point. I have 3 friends, 2 Thai 1 Chinese, who all have masters degrees from Aussie universities. The other thing they have in common is a very low standard of written and spoken English. Yet, they all got through the Aussie university system and graduated ok.