Huachiew U announces expansion plans to meet AEC demands
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Huachiew Chalermprakiet University has announced a Bt2 billion-expansion plan that will see the addition of more facilities and increase academic proficiency to enhance its stand in the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
The university will develop an additional plot of 36 rai, adding buildings and facilities to enhance educational proficiency and quality. The Poh Tek Tung Foundation has granted financial support for the next stage in the university’s development.
The move is aimed at coping with the commencement of AEC in 2015. The university’s health sciences and Chinese language and culture are among the most successful curricula offered by the university over the last several decades. The university is seeking greater cooperation with institutes in the AEC and beyond to help further enhance graduate perspectives.
Kobchai Sosothikul, Executive Director of Poh Tek Tung Foundation and member of the Huachiew Chalermprakiet University Council said that to ensure the competency of future global citizens, the foundation had approved a budget of Bt 2 billions to add 101,176 sqm of facilities to the university’s current establishment on a newly acquired 36 rai plot of land
Assoc Prof Dr Prachak Poomvises, the President of Huachiew Chalermprakiet University, said that over the past years, HCU, a non-profit making university, had proved that it could help add quality graduates to the country’s community and markets. Among the university’s most popular and proficient programmes are health sciences, Chinese studies, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public & Environmental Health, Chinese Medicine, Chinese Language & Culture and International & Chinese Business.
HCU collaborates with more than 20 universities in China, sending 300 students each year to study Chinese programmes at some of the 40 universities with which HCU has agreements. About 400 Chinese students from these universities come to study at HCU each year.
Asst Prof. Dr Uraipan Janvanichyanont, Vice President of Huachiew Chalermprakiet University said the university has been focusing on curriculum development in line with market demand, especially when AEC is implemented, which will allow the workforce to move more freely throughout the region. Thais will need to prepare for the AEC, particularly in terms of acquiring foreign language skill in order to increase competitiveness. The university plans to introduce new curricula for graduate and master degree studies. It also plans to open a doctoral degree programme in Chinese language teaching in 2013.
The university is also planning to develop and upgrade its special medical facilities including a Chinese Medical Clinic.
Currently, the university is offering graduate studies and higher level in Thai and international programmes in 13 colleges or faculties with 31 different programmes with 10,872 students.
