Mahidol university international college

Mahidol university International college

While the beginning may have been a modest one, it did have a special significance. Initially established in 1986 as the International Students Degree Program, with an enrollment of just 45 pioneering students, the College holds the distinction of being Thailand’s very first international bachelor degree program at a public university. Over the ensuing years the College flourished, growing in both size and stature. In 1996 its name was changed to Mahidol University International College and is currently recognized as one of the leading international institutes in the region.
Another hallmark that distinguishes MUIC is its focus on a strong and inclusive liberal arts curriculum, which promotes a learning culture that prepares its students to meet the challenges of living and working in a diverse and globalized world.
Over the years that commitment to a liberal arts education has prompted the College to develop and expand its academic offerings in the Arts, Sciences and Business Administration, all in accordance with international standards. It has even instituted its own Pre-College Program, offering English instruction in speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, as well as TOEFL preparation and mathematics so that prospective candidates can reach the required level for entrance to the College.
The College’s curriculum is recognized globally and serves as a magnet in attracting students from around the world. MUIC currently enjoys formal exchange agreements with 52 universities from North America, Europe, Australia and Asia – partnerships that continue to increase with each passing year – in addition to its informal association with over 100 other universities and educational agencies. Sixty-two percent of its faculty members are foreign nationals and its international full-time, visiting and exchange students, representing 40 countries from six continents, constitute 20 percent of the student population.
Always mindful of its international character, MUIC is also Thailand’s leading undergraduate international institution that offers special projects and training programs. Each year over 200 visiting students, primarily from North America and Asia, participate in short-term exchange experiences through formal instruction, conferences, workshops, seminars and even internships, covering a wide range of academic, social and cultural issues, including bio-ethics, Southeast Asian Studies, languages, hospitality management, the environment, Thai history and culture, Buddhism and the philosophy of religion. Participants also engage in field trips and community outreach programs, all in an effort to promote and develop cross-cultural sensibilities.
That commitment to internationalism is reflected in the MUIC community itself, in which administrators, teachers, students and staff are exposed to a variety of cultures and ideas, learning how to understand their differences while at the same time celebrating what they all share in common.
Given its successes, it isn’t surprising that MUIC has served, and continues to serve, as both a model and a resource. Public universities throughout Thailand, which have established or are preparing to introduce their own international programs, inevitably visit the College in order to familiarize themselves with MUIC’s curriculum, its organizational structure and its satellite programs.
In compliance with Mahidol University’s core values, MUIC’s mission can best be summarized in the words of His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkla: “True success is not in learning but in its application for the benefit of humankind.” In that spirit the College endeavors to instill in its students a sense of service and encourages them to develop and exercise their responsibility as global citizens.
MUIC’s distinctive liberal arts focus has enabled its students, Thai nationals and international students alike, to develop a well-rounded world view, resulting in an array of achievements in national, regional and international competitions as well as career opportunities. The MUIC Debate Club is readily acknowledged as Thailand’s top debating enterprise, having secured a significant number of national championships, and the MUIC chapter of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), while relatively new, is fast becoming a leading competitor in its community outreach efforts. Other students over the years have received special awards for public speaking, journalism, computer programming and business planning competitions, including first prize for the Brandage Award 2009 for OTOP products, along with science and research projects.
Moreover, MUIC consistently represents Thailand at both regional and international conferences and student leadership forums in Asia, particularly in ASEAN events, Europe and North America, including the United Nations in New York City, once to receive a special science award and again as young ambassadors to the UN General Assembly Session on Youth.
Meeting the challenges of our new world order has required foresight, resilience and innovation. The journey that began over two decades ago is far from over as Mahidol University International College continues to commit its full resources and innovative energies to the pursuit of academic excellence for your bright future.

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