Studying a MBA in Thailand

[BBesoteric]

Hello all.

I am in my last year studying a international Studies degree in the south of Thailand and I have been thinking for quite sometime what it would be like to move up to BKK to study a MBA.

I would appreciate any advise to my questions:

What is the atmosphere like studying full time compared to a p/t evening course?

Do many people attend the night time courses? I'm keen to make contacts and meet people.

I have thought about Ramkhamheng, but are the social side of the classes are quite dull compared to Assumption/Mahidol? I heard most people just study from home etc.

I'm pretty keen to start working but I'm also happy to study a pt course to gain some connections and learn some more. I have mixed feelings on studying a MBA vs going out and getting on hand experience.

To be honest I was thinking of Mahidol and Assumption due to their prestige and rank, but mostly due to the kind of people I will surround myself with. As I studied in the south I felt that they weren't very focused or ambitious at all....I won't get into it but I'm sure many of you understand what it is like. Many of my friends dream about the items that they want but they never spend time studying hard or actually making a plan for what they will do in life....and how to go about it. I am very keen on entrepreneurship and business, so my thoughts were to study in BKK would be a great idea.

I also have never lived in BKK but only traveled for holidays. I have done internships and exchange programs in Chiang Mai which I love, but I feel outside of summer holidays it would be more hectic and the roads will become more jammed than BKK, due to lack of subway and a good public transport layout.

I have lived in Japan for 5 years before I decided to study and after living the slow life down south I really want to get amongst it!


For now ill post this as the mobile app is quite slow for typing etc.

Please mind any mistakes, I will go over this again on my pc tonight and possibly add a few more questions.


Thanks for your input,

BB

[BBesoteric]

Hmmm well it seems I cannot edit my typos!

Sorry guys.

[AyG]

You really should post a bit more about yourself to get a measured response.

(1) Do you have any work experience? If so, what? Those without work experience tend to be immature, get looked down upon by those with work experience, and do less well academically.

(2) Do you want to study exclusively in English? Or are you also fluent in Thai?

(3) Are you a Thai national/have PR?

(4) What do you plan to do with your MBA when you get it?

I can only speak about NIDA (based upon my partner's experience), but attendance in the evening is compulsory. The atmosphere is one of friendly rivalry. However, once class is finished, everyone goes home, rather than socialising. Group activities such as writing reports are arranged through the Internet, rather than in person.

Incidentally, NIDA is probably the best Thai university academically for an MBA, but Chulalongkorn the most prestigious and where you'd make the best business contacts.

[Baerboxer]

You really should post a bit more about yourself to get a measured response.

(1) Do you have any work experience? If so, what? Those without work experience tend to be immature, get looked down upon by those with work experience, and do less well academically.

(2) Do you want to study exclusively in English? Or are you also fluent in Thai?

(3) Are you a Thai national/have PR?

(4) What do you plan to do with your MBA when you get it?

I can only speak about NIDA (based upon my partner's experience), but attendance in the evening is compulsory. The atmosphere is one of friendly rivalry. However, once class is finished, everyone goes home, rather than socialising. Group activities such as writing reports are arranged through the Internet, rather than in person.

Incidentally, NIDA is probably the best Thai university academically for an MBA, but Chulalongkorn the most prestigious and where you'd make the best business contacts.

I agree with most of your comments. Accept that NIDA is the best academically.

Try out Bangkok University, Mahidol. Assumption and Stanford etc. They have some very good international programs and connections.

[footiefanz]

Hi,

I heard that Webster is the only Western accredited MBA course in Thailand. If you have future plans in other countries, it might be worth heading in this direction. Potential employers sometimes have negative feelings towards non-accredited courses from non-english speaking countries. Accreditation assures the standards of most North American institutions.

[AyG]

I heard that Webster is the only Western accredited MBA course in Thailand.

You heard wrong. NIDA and Chulalongcorn (Sasin) are both accredited.

I don't believe that Webster University Thailand is AACSB/AMBA/EQUIS accredited.

[richard10365]

I believe most, if not all, of the MBA programs are accredited by the Ministry of Education in Thailand. To study for a PhD after your MBA, the government institution that regulates education in the country where the university is located, must accredit the program.

Webster (www.webster.edu) is a university from the United States that has a campus here in Thailand. They are the only school in Thailand (afaik) that are authorized to distribute FASFA (US Financial Aid) to Americans studying in its Thai campus.

I studied the MBA at Payap University in Chiang Mai and the experience has helped me to develop an opinion about what a good program has or doesn't have.

(1) Entrance requirements need to be high.

[A] TOEFL 550-600, IELTS 5.5-6.0. Poor English speakers mixed in with excellent English speakers brings the quality of the class down. Poor English speakers will not read case studies or required text and always slow the class down with questions self study with a text book would have answered. The most competitive non-native English speakers score TOEFL 600+ or IELTS 6.0. These students make excellent team members when working on required group projects.

GMAT or equivalent should be required for entrance but I am not sure of what a competitive score for this would be since the program I enrolled in didn't require it. The math part would have definitely been a challenge for me but would have been a great skill to have prior to starting this program. Students with strong math skills had less difficulty with some of the more math intensive programs such as Managerial Economics and Financial Management.

[C] GPA of undergrad degree program need to be at least 3.0. Anything less than this lets in students who would possibly be dead weight to the class as their academically challenged skills limit the pace of the class.

[D] Programs that allow students with no academic business background need to have a solid foundation program to teach the basics to business beginners. The foundation program should run prior to the 1st class of the 1st semester. Any foundation programs running concurrently with the MBA program risks slowing the pace of the class as the business beginners ask many questions due to their lack of an academic business background.

(2) Academic research needs to be a strength of the university/program

[A] Does the MBA program detail current research on its website? Are the MBA instructors doing any active research? On the instructor's biography, is their research listed?

Are you able to access the students Independent Study/Theses on their website? This is an invaluable resource to help educate novice academic writers on how to properly write an Independent Study or Thesis paper. It is no replacement for a proper format made available to the student.

[C] Is there a standard format in English given to students for Independent Study/Theses? The lack of clear instructions on what an academic paper is and how its structured causes a lot of headaches for graduate students trying to complete the requirements for their MBA.

[D] Are there any instructors with the academic rank of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Professor who are teaching in the MBA program? Instructors are awarded this rank because they have done recognized research and would know how to advise students on how to write their academic papers.

(3) There needs to be full time MBA faculty employed by the MBA program you are studying in?

[A] Universities that rely on visiting instructors to teach their courses do not have instructors on hand to assist MBA students outside of the classroom who are struggling with complex business concepts and theories.

This also complicates the academic research part of the MBA program during the Independent Study/Thesis part of the course. It is difficult to find an instructor to be an advisory to help guide you in constructing your paper. What is left is very poor quality service and failures during proposals and defenses.

Final Notes

One other thing that is a pet peeve of mine is when text books are not used in the classroom. Unless an instructor has their name on the outside of a university textbook, they should be using a textbook that has someone else name. In my opinion, if the instructor doesn't use a textbook, it really lowers the quality of the class as not ever concept can be learned in the classroom. Most every instructor I've had that didn't have a textbook totally disagrees with me. Some used chapters from their favorite textbooks to teach and did a good job explaining those chapters while others thought 100+ text filled slides accomplished the same thing. I wasn't happy in those classes.

With all that said, NIDA does look pretty good on their website. Their website did impress me especially their association with the Wharton University. Their entrance requirements are high and they have flexible study options during the week or weekends. The cost is a little high for two years but it seems with the higher quality comes higher cost.

Assumption is another university I like for their MBA program. The dean of their MBA program actually was a visiting professor at Payap and taught Financial Management. It was one of the most amazing finance classes I ever had and made me want to study finance more. However, he only came to Payap on the weekend to teach our classes.

Mahidol has much of what I list in 1, 2, & 3 above. They have many instructors with academic rank as well as listed their research online. They don't; however, offer a MBA but rather a Masters in Management.

Finally, while I do think I got an excellent education at Payap, I would not recommend it for the MBA program for the reasons I listed above. I got an excellent education because I wanted it and studied hard despite of the unnecessary hurdles I faced in the classroom.

Good luck with your decision. Choose wisely because 2 years is a long time to spend in a weak program.

Edited July 9, 2014 by richard10365

[BangPaInn]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I'll ask my question any way.... Has any one had any experience/information with Mahidol's Undergraduate Environmental degrees?

Cheers.

[wvavin]

BB, I am not in a position to say anything about the MBA in Thailand but one thing for sure is that I will not even waste my time interviewing someone holding an MBA from Thailand! Not kidding, I am very serious. Hope you got it.

[richard10365]

BB, I am not in a position to say anything about the MBA in Thailand but one thing for sure is that I will not even waste my time interviewing someone holding an MBA from Thailand! Not kidding, I am very serious. Hope you got it.

We really would not want to work for you either. We are very serious. I hope you got it.

[Bob12345]

I have just finished the full-time program at Sasin (Chulalongkorn) and many of the professors are flown in for a couple of weeks from around the world to teach their field of expertise. We did not have much contact with the part-time students as they tend to do all the studying over the weekends while we do weekdays, but I can imagine that the teambuilding and getting contacts is a lot less with part-time students who also have other businesses to tend to.

Within Thailand Sasin is the most respected and well-known, outside of Thailand probably nobody has ever heard of it but the program was constructed together with Kellogg and Wharton and they have all the accreditations one can wish for. Besides, they just introduced their new Director, Dipak Jain, former dean of Kellogg, which would help them get more international exposure.

In case you have any specific questions do not hesitate to post them here or send me a message.

[PhilipCook]

The Sasin program is a good one, not just because I went there(evening program) but because the new director was the dean at Kellogg and INSEAD and the faculty come are excellent local and foreign. You learn alot, you make good friends and you experience two weeks at Kellogg in Chicago are extremely challenging. The new director was our professor for a couple of classes when i went there and I never forget one of the case studies he taught was Lexus. Deepak Jain and plenty of the other professors are inspirational, even 10 years after I graduated!(2002-2004)

www.sasin.edu

[BBesoteric]

Hi, thanks for all of your input. I honestly did not think I would get as many replies this fast!

Here is a little bit about me:

I'm a 26 year old Australian.

I am almost fluent in Thai, my speaking is better than my reading and writing.

Im also fluent in Japanese and my reading and writing is above average but I am yet to do a proficiency test.

I have about 5 years of full time employment and a few internships in other areas. I have traveled around the world but lived mostly in Asia. Living in Vietnam and Indonesia for a few months really broadened my mind, especially from living in a muslim and a communist society.

In my mind i know its time to get into the work place and start my career, but I would like to continue my studies here while I have a chance. MBAs in Australia, Europe and America, are really pricey these days.

I know I would gain more skills from straight up work, but a masters would help me (gain knowledge and) get into other avenues that I would like to persue. Also my BA in Asean studies makes it harder to get a job in 'such' areas.

Edited July 10, 2014 by BBesoteric

[AyG]

You don't mention what kind of employment you've had. Is it something that could be considered "serious" i.e. business related.

Where do you hope to work after you finish an MBA? Thailand? Elsewhere? If the former, you should seriously consider whether you're likely to get work working for a company when there'll be plenty of Thai competition. If the latter, you need to consider whether a Thai MBA will be recognised and valued.

If however, the idea is to get an MBA and then immediately set up your own enterprise, then these issues don't matter.

And a personal observation: back in the days when I was recruiting I was reluctant to recruit MBAs over the age of 30. I don't think I was unusual with that attitude. You'll be getting close to that line by the time you finish the course.

[BBesoteric]

BB, I am not in a position to say anything about the MBA in Thailand but one thing for sure is that I will not even waste my time interviewing someone holding an MBA from Thailand! Not kidding, I am very serious. Hope you got it.

That is ok, I wouldn't want to work for someone with such a narrow mind. Your missing out on many brilliant minds and hard working people out there that dont fall under your standards.

I do understand your beliefs and what your point is, but in this day and age there is more behind a piece of paper. Now im not going to lower myself and be judgemental or offensive, but here are a few points I would like to say:

Growing up in my experience I have met many self made millionaires and some very smart people that have not even passed high school, not to mention the countleaa others that I have read about. I am also happy to take the MBA here, learn a bit from a different field and also make some contacts.

The problem today is that people are going commercial and anyone that doesn't go for the 'brand' become outcasts to the mainstream conformers.

I also accept the fact that there are billions of smarter people out there that have alot going for them, but they aren't me and when they get turned down in an interview or can't handle the pressure, I will be the one pushing forward and tackling the task ahead. We could go on forever discussing this topic, but it would be a waste of time. To your comment, I dont know what you would be hiring for, but for example in in project management put a person with a lower IQ and higher EQ and see how he/she performs vs someone with a much lower iq, but higher eq. But switch that around and have that first person attempt to write code or be a network admin and he would be surpassed by the genious. Eitherway these are not the only factors, they are a stereotype. Either could perform well depending on their skills and life experiences.

It's ironic that a person with such standards is actually spending time on these forums.....in the education section.

Thank you for your comment but in regards to my questions it's irrelevant.

[BBesoteric]

You don't mention what kind of employment you've had. Is it something that could be considered "serious" i.e. business related.

Where do you hope to work after you finish an MBA? Thailand? Elsewhere? If the former, you should seriously consider whether you're likely to get work working for a company when there'll be plenty of Thai competition. If the latter, you need to consider whether a Thai MBA will be recognised and valued.

If however, the idea is to get an MBA and then immediately set up your own enterprise, then these issues don't matter.

And a personal observation: back in the days when I was recruiting I was reluctant to recruit MBAs over the age of 30. I don't think I was unusual with that attitude. You'll be getting close to that line by the time you finish the course.

Thank you AyG,

I have mostly worked in hospitality and the entertainment industry. Business related but nothing corporate, which I would like to get into or marketing/advertising and eventually have my own start up.

I am already aware of some of the outcomes, pros and cons. My plan is to work and set up in BKK and stay in Asia. Also Japan and HK is an option. Also I have no plans to worl in America, I would work in my own home country if I wanted to be in the west.

I would really like some more information on what the MBA atmosphere in BKK is like.

Thank you Richard for the great post, im currently sifting through it at the moment.

BB

(Btw running the site in desktop mode on is quite buggy for anyone else?)

Edited July 10, 2014 by BBesoteric

[wvavin]

Probably I have missed out some point that you guys got misunderstood. I might be unlucky to encounter 3 cases of fakes and 2 cases of "purchased MBA" for the past 2 decades. Hence, my resentment on local MBAs.

[BBesoteric]

Probably I have missed out some point that you guys got misunderstood. I might be unlucky to encounter 3 cases of fakes and 2 cases of "purchased MBA" for the past 2 decades. Hence, my resentment on local MBAs.

Haha good point. I suppose from a coverletter and resume pov, it would be a eaay way to be turned down. But I have transcripts and referals from teachera to be legit. Als you would be suprised to learn how many western degrees and mbas are fake too.....

A similar issue is the refugees arriving by boata in Australia....Actually more people enter the country illegaly and undetected by plane.

SEA can be a good stereotype for alot of activities such as fake documents, corruption etc, but it goes on just as much in the west hehe. You juat dont hear about it so often there.

[scorecard]

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You really should post a bit more about yourself to get a measured response.

(1) Do you have any work experience? If so, what? Those without work experience tend to be immature, get looked down upon by those with work experience, and do less well academically.

(2) Do you want to study exclusively in English? Or are you also fluent in Thai?

(3) Are you a Thai national/have PR?

(4) What do you plan to do with your MBA when you get it?

I can only speak about NIDA (based upon my partner's experience), but attendance in the evening is compulsory. The atmosphere is one of friendly rivalry. However, once class is finished, everyone goes home, rather than socialising. Group activities such as writing reports are arranged through the Internet, rather than in person.

Incidentally, NIDA is probably the best Thai university academically for an MBA, but Chulalongkorn the most prestigious and where you'd make the best business contacts.

I agree with most of your comments. Accept that NIDA is the best academically.

Try out Bangkok University, Mahidol. Assumption and Stanford etc. They have some very good international programs and connections.

I teach some MBA courses in the ICO NIDA all day Saturday and Sunday all English program, quick summary:

- A NIDA MBA is well respected by Thai employers and international employers..

- Classes are small - usually about 15 to 25 students.

- Quite a few exchange students from well respected universities: Europe, Japan, China, US and more.

- Fees are less than many other Thai MBA English programs.

- Overall - good quality lecturers, most from abroad, good focused administration, always very helpful to students.

- Class rooms / buildings: modern, up to date, very clean.