Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) Young Alumni Award 2008 (Thailand)
In 2008 AustCham introduced a Young Alumni Award. AEI (BKK) as a member of the AustCham alumni committee was also a member of the selection committee. The Young Alumni of the Year award aims to identify and recognise an outstanding Thai alumnus who has made a significant contribution to relations between Thailand and Australia.
Focus of the second education reform in Thailand is on Quality and Opportunity (Thailand)
A second decade of education reform has been introduced by the Thai government with the focus on “Quality” and “Opportunity”. Nine 9 focal points for this second reform has been identified as: development of students; development of teachers; increasing education-management efficiency; increasing educational opportunities; producing the skilled workforce needed for the country; finding sufficient funds for education; educational technology; enforcing education laws efficiently; and promoting non-formal education.
Rules relaxed for Singaporeans with overseas law qualifications to practice locally (Singapore)
The Ministry of Law has cut the need for Singaporeans with qualifications from recognised foreign institutions to sit for a year long Diploma in Singapore Law course. Those with a Second Lower Honours law degree attained from a recognised foreign institution are also now eligible to practice after passing the Bar exam.
Survey of Hong Kong Education Agents’ Market Observations and Feedback (Hong Kong)
AEI Hong Kong visited 47 education agencies in December 2008 and obtained their views on the current market trends and forecasts on the market for study in Australia. The survey reaffirmed the strength of Australia’s position in Hong Kong and key issues that may affect it in the longer term.
Sweden’s Master Programs prove popular with international students (Sweden)
One year after the new system for Masters program was introduced the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education has reviewed its impact. The new ‘masters’ structure has been widely adopted and proved popular with international students, with 61 per cent of enrolments coming from overseas.
Sweden introduces Parliament bill to reform the Secondary School grading system (Sweden)
A proposed new grading scale for Swedish Secondary students enters the Swedish parliament. Australian institutions accepting Swedish students will be affected by the changes.
Thai Ministry of Education to promote vocational education (Thailand)
The beginning of 2009 academic year in May will be the first time for vocational students at the certificate level under the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC), Thailand, to receive free education support from the government. The Secretary General of OVEC said that the government also plans to attract more students to vocational education and increase the ratio between students who choose to study general education and those who choose vocational education from 63:37 to 50:50.
The 2009 Reception for the Malaysian winners of the Endeavour Awards and the Malaysia Australia Colombo Plan Commemorative (MACC) Scholarships (Malaysia)
The Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Her Excellency Ms Penny Williams hosted morning tea and a media reception to congratulate the 11 Malaysian winners of the 2009 Endeavour Awards and the six Malaysian recipients of the MACC Scholarships.