Mr Taha Macpherson, Ambassador, New Zealand Embassy in Thailand, comments on the establishment of the Thai-New Zealand Centre (TNZC) as a collaboration between Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT): “As a world-leading international education destination, New Zealand is one of a very few countries that have an International Education Strategy in place.
Moreover, New Zealand was ranked first in the world for English-speaking countries by the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2018 Educating for the Future Index.”
“The establishment of the TNZC, a collaboration between AUT and RMUTT, is a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship between
New Zealand and Thailand, and is a good way to enhance the standard of Thai education. In recent years, AUT has been New Zealand’s fastest rising university and now finds itself ranked in the 301-350 range in the 2019 Times Higher Education World University Rankings. I understand that through its collaboration with AUT and the TNZC, RMUTT has aims to attain similar achievements such as English language development, while RMUTT will also learn first-hand about our country’s world-renowned education system that’s focused on being flexible and personalised.”
Associate Professor Dr Prasert Pinpathomrat, Senator, and former RMUTT President, adds “In the beginning of May 2016, while I was still the president of RMUTT, the New Zealand Embassy in Thailand invited all nine presidents of the RMUT universities to participate in a site inspection project of 10 higher educational institutions throughout New Zealand, with the aim of creating a network and strengthening educational relationship between the two countries. I assigned Assistant Professor Dr Nartraphee Chaimongkol, Dean, RMUTT Faculty of Business Administration, to attend the tour on my behalf.”
Since the conclusion of the project, the RMUTT-Faculty of Business Administration has continued collaborative efforts with various New Zealand universities through the New Zealand Embassy in Thailand. The desire for RMUTT and AUT to join hands was most remarkable. These efforts led to a flurry of meetings between RMUTT and AUT over a two-year period, culminating in the signing of an MOU between the two institutions in 2017 in New Zealand. RMUTT and AUT have recognised the opportunity to jointly upgrade and develop educational standards together through the establishment of the education centre under the banners of both institutions, aptly named Thai-New Zealand Centre (TNZC) at RMUTT Innovation and Knowledge Center, DD Mall, Chatuchak, Bangkok.
Assistant Professor Dr Nartraphee Chaimongkol, Dean, RMUTT Faculty of Business Administration, reveals that “After having signed an MOU in education collaboration between RMUTT and AUT, the Faculty of Business Administration sent our lecturers and employees to AUT for a one-month English language development course, while AUT sent executives, representatives and guest lecturers to advise staff at RMUTT and other institutions, which later led to a collaboration in the establishment of the TNZC. This centre marks the first time ever that New Zealand government has authorised the establishment of a government-funded university on foreign soil under AUT auspices.”
“In its initial stages, the TNZC educational method will focus on intense training aimed at improving English communication skills, including listening, speaking, reading, writing, and grammar usage, that will benefit entrepreneurs, students or others for whom English is a required language. Future plans include English courses for master’s and doctoral degree candidates, along with 6-12 months short courses emphasising AUT’s top-ranking majors, which are aligned with 10 target industries specified in relevant government policies. There are also long-term plans to designate Thailand as an AUT education centre for ASEAN.”
THAI–NEW ZEALAND CENTRE (TNZC)
RMUTT Innovation and Knowledge Center,
7th floor, Bangsue Junction Shopping Center (DD Mall),
Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Khwaeng Chatuchak,
Khet Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
http://www.tnzc.rmutt.ac.th
06 6051 3377, 0 2549 3239
www.facebook.com/TNZCentre