Thammasat Vs. Mahidol

[maxsurly]

Hello all!

I'm applying to go to university in Thailand sometime next year (I'm a foreigner living in Thailand, currently 19) and I'm planning on doing a BBA with a major in Management. My question is, in your opinion, which international BBA program is better? Thammasat or Mahidol? (Fees are not an issue, as I believe they are approximately the same)

Here's how I see it:

Thammasat:

Pros: Better reputation, primarily a business/law/political university, inside of Bangkok

Cons: Not sure what the internship offerings are like, almost all students in the program appear to be Thai (not so much a con), seems less professional than Mahidol, low on the rankings of universities (doesn't seem to appear at all).

Mahidol:

Pros: Highest on the rankings of universities in Thailand, campus seems huge beautiful, appears very professionally run, the international college is actually a full international college, not just an international program inside of a Thai university, internship opportunities

Cons: Is primarily seen as a medical university, quite a ways from Bangkok apparently (both a pro and a con)

Even if you don't have an opinion on one vs. the other, any information about either that you think to be relevant would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch.

[ricklev]

My Thammasat BBA western students are pretty happy with the program, but almost all are exchange students. You will get a good education there so it wouldn't be a mistake. Admission is difficult. I don't know much about Mahidol, but I'm sure it's pretty good.

[ricklev]

Well, to be clearer, it might be a mistake in terms of future employment in another country.

[maxsurly]

Thanks for the information. I have no worries about admission, and have no plans to seek future employment in the west. But it's good to hear that at least the educational quality is not substandard.

[CWMcMurray]

I graduated from BBA program (international business) at MUIC and have been working in Bangkok for the last 5 years with the same company I did my internship with.

If you are looking to work in Thailand, then an internship can be a very good opportunity if you can line up internship with the right company

Also academically I felt that the level of instruction at MUIC was just as good if not better than the University I was attending in US before coming

Never attended Thammasat , but it also does have a good reputation. Although I believe their are a lot more international students at MUIC and not just exchange students, also a fair number of full time international students as well.

In either case, you are likely to be ok which ever of the 2 you pick.

Feel free to PM me if any questions about MUIC

[maxsurly]

Thanks. Yes, the 'student profile' section on the Thammasat website shows the student admission makeup in the BBA program for last year as 100% Thai, which is a bit odd.

It's also good to hear that the quality of instruction is adequate, admittedly that's a serious concern when attending uni here (in Thailand) - but my worries have been allayed considerably.

[culicine]

Of those two, I'd choose MUIC without much hesitation, based on my discussions with my on my past students who is now doing his BBA there.

[RAZZELL]

Chulalongkorn university?

RAZZ

[scorecard]

Thanks. Yes, the 'student profile' section on the Thammasat website shows the student admission makeup in the BBA program for last year as 100% Thai, which is a bit odd.

It's also good to hear that the quality of instruction is adequate, admittedly that's a serious concern when attending uni here (in Thailand) - but my worries have been allayed considerably.

Thammasat has two streams:

- The Thai language program conducted at the enormous Rangsit campus.

- The International program (English language), conducted at the Tar Pra Chan campus on the Chao Phya river. I've lectured in this program many times and every class has had from 2 or 3, or more often about 25 to 30% of the students being from: China, Singapore, Japan, Myanmar, South Africa, Italy Australia, Denmark, France, USA, UK, Colombia, Canada, Spain...

Perhaps there are no international students for the next course, that would be unusual.

Yes Thailand has some universities which lack quality and credibility. The same comment is applicable for most countries in the world, just one example, the USA.

As mentioned above Thammasat usually has international (mostly exchange) students from a large range of countries. I can assure you that these offshore universities would not enter documented exchange agreements unless they were satisfied with Thammasat quality.

Exactly the same comment for Mahidol and for Chula.

[maxsurly]

Of those two, I'd choose MUIC without much hesitation, based on my discussions with my on my past students who is now doing his BBA there.

Could you expand a bit on that? What did he or she say that makes you believe Mahidol is a better choice than Thammasat?

Chulalongkorn university?

RAZZ

The fees for the BBA program are laughably exorbitant, and it's my understanding that the international BBA program there is not especially good. Although it must be said that they do seem to have the best exchange program links amongst the three, but I don't plan on going on exchange anyway.

Thammasat has two streams:

- The Thai language program conducted at the enormous Rangsit campus.

- The International program (English language), conducted at the Tar Pra Chan campus on the Chao Phya river. I've lectured in this program many times and every class has had from 2 or 3, or more often about 25 to 30% of the students being from: China, Singapore, Japan, Myanmar, South Africa, Italy Australia, Denmark, France, USA, UK, Colombia, Canada, Spain...

Perhaps there are no international students for the next course, that would be unusual.

Thanks for the information. The '100% Thai' comment I made was referring to the makeup of the student population that was admitted for the full 4 year program, excluding exchange students.

[scorecard]

Of those two, I'd choose MUIC without much hesitation, based on my discussions with my on my past students who is now doing his BBA there.

What year is the student in?

Thai students in first and second year of uni are very immature and somehow I doubt whether (in 1st or 2nd) year they are really capable of making a good assessment of quality / focused comparisons, etc. In fact it wouldn't surprise me at all if 1st and 2nd year students, if asked to make an assessment, would instantly (and only) think about: making friends, fun, dancing routines, food in the canteen...

I've taught BBA classes in several high profile Thai unis., getting the students (at this level) to pay attention, arrive on time, stop talking, stop watching Korean soap operas on their notebooks, bring their textbooks and assignments, turn off their mobile phones, etc., consumes half the class time.

Getting students to take part in discussion in also a nightmare, and often simply because of laziness.

I instituted several 'discipline' factors to try to get past many of the points above.

One example: 'repeat back to me what I said in the last two minutes'.

If you can't repeat it back on the first occasion you leave the room immediately and can't attend the next lecture. Too bad if this puts your attendance factor at risk (meaning if attendance is under 85% you cannot sit for the final exam).

If you can't repeat it back a second time, your out for the rest of the semester, and you cannot sit for the exam.

But I should be honest, I copied this from an old female Thai Ajahn who was very strict on these younger students. Her knowledge and her teaching ability first class.

Another example (I also copied from her). Class room door is locked on the inside 2 minutes after class start time. Student cannot enter until after first break but marked absent for the whole class.

[scorecard]

Of those two, I'd choose MUIC without much hesitation, based on my discussions with my on my past students who is now doing his BBA there.

Could you expound a bit on that? What did he or she say that makes you believe Mahidol is a better choice than Thammasat?

Chulalongkorn university?

RAZZ

The fees for the BBA program are laughably exorbitant, and it's my understanding that the international BBA program there is not especially good. Although it must be said that they do seem to have the best exchange program links amongst the three, but I don't plan on going on exchange anyway.

Thammasat has two streams:

- The Thai language program conducted at the enormous Rangsit campus.

- The International program (English language), conducted at the Tar Pra Chan campus on the Chao Phya river. I've lectured in this program many times and every class has had from 2 or 3, or more often about 25 to 30% of the students being from: China, Singapore, Japan, Myanmar, South Africa, Italy Australia, Denmark, France, USA, UK, Colombia, Canada, Spain...

Perhaps there are no international students for the next course, that would be unusual.

Thanks for the information. The '100% Thai' comment I made was referring to the makeup of the student population that was admitted for the full 4 year program, excluding exchange students.

Well I'll make the same comment, in regard to the full 4 year BBA program:

- Thai language stream - usually only Thai students, but I'm aware of several western students in these classes over many years. Mother and father both western, student born and lived their entire life in Thailand, and speak, read, write Thai at native speaker level.

- International program (English - 4 year program), again I'm aware of a sprinkling of offshore students. In some cases same detail as the bullet point immediately above.

In some cases the student has selected to move to Thailand to study BBA, perhaps wanting to get longer term immersion into an Asian culture.

I recall one similar case where the student came from a German family who had a well establsihed very large tourism business (in Germany - covering all of europe) and they saw Asia as their longer-term business strategy. The (quite mature for his age) son suggested to his family that he study BBA in Thailand (in English) and also do the early research etc., about establishing a large tourist business in Thailand.

He has in fact just completed and passed the four year BBA with an impressive GPA, but the family eventually decided that Myanmar, rather then Thailand was the place to establish their Asian business arm.

[maxsurly]

Another example (I also copied from her). Class room door is locked on the inside 2 minutes after class start time. Student cannot enter until after first break but marked absent for the whole class.

Haha, I thought I read somewhere that if the students arrive within the first 15 minutes of class starting it doesn't count as an absence.

...

Just checked, here it is: "Being late for less than 15 minutes would be considered as “Present”."

http://www.bba.bus.tu.ac.th/carule.php

So...how did you get away with locking the door and marking them absent is what I'm curious about....

[Neeranam]

Id choose Thamm. due to its reputation.

You say money is no option, then perhaps Mahi. as you can buy your degree there whereas Thamm., you have to work.

[maxsurly]

Id choose Thamm. due to its reputation.

You say money is no option, then perhaps Mahi. as you can buy your degree there whereas Thamm., you have to work.

I have no need nor intention to buy my degree, I'll be in the top 10% regardless of which uni I attend - and I hope to be made to work hard.

[scorecard]

Another example (I also copied from her). Class room door is locked on the inside 2 minutes after class start time. Student cannot enter until after first break but marked absent for the whole class.

Haha, I thought I read somewhere that if the students arrive within the first 15 minutes of class starting it doesn't count as an absence.

...

Just checked, here it is: "Being late for less than 15 minutes would be considered as “Present”."

http://www.bba.bus.tu.ac.th/carule.php

So...how did you get away with locking the door and marking them absent is what I'm curious about....

Different schools have different policies on these matters. The uni i'm talking about:

- Is serious about students attending class. And serious about not sitting for exams if attendance is not up to the requirement. Also, an admin. officer comes to each class room about 15 minutes before class (1st and 2nd year) and students know it's their responsibility to make sure the admin. oficer marks them present. At exactly 2 minutes after 09:00 (for example), she leaves.

Lecturers and students are not allowed to touch the actual attendance records. Students know, if they come late, that going to the office and pleading is futile (except a note from a hospital that they were attending to sick relatvies, but this cannot be used if the student is more than one hour late).

Students not attending if they are personally ill will be given some consideration against the attendance requiremenst if the student has promptly contacted their lecturer and requested reading and personal work assignments and they have been completed.

- The dean of the business school strongly encourages lecturers to be tough with these matters, especially for 1st and 2nd year students (strong recognition that they are immature and will skip classes at the drop of a hat if not disciplined).

- New students are made very aware of 'rules' before day one any they seem to know and respect that some Ajahns have 'extra' rules.

- The dean will always strongly support lecturers if there is any parent complaints or similar. (Dean to lecturers: "If it's necessary to get more tough with some classes then please do so."

[maxsurly]

Fair enough. Perhaps we'll meet someday - if one of my lecturers asks me to repeat what he said in the last two minutes back to him or locks the door immediately after class starts, I'll know it's you.

[scorecard]

Fair enough. Perhaps we'll meet someday - if one of my lecturers asks me to repeat what he said in the last two minutes back to him or locks the door immediately after class starts, I'll know it's you.

Your most welcome.

But seriously and sincerely, good luck with your studies and your future.