AIT Thailand offers graduate scholarships

[Laoupdate]

AIT offers graduate scholarships

Viengsavanh Phengphachan

THE Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand yesterday opened the doors of opportunity for Lao students and invited applicants for interview at the National University of Laos.
Dozens of applicants turned up to fill in forms, take interviews and sit English tests, hoping to be one of the lucky few to be selected for study at the Institute.
The Institute is offering scholarships for master's and doctorate degrees. Eligible candidates must already have completed a bachelor's or master's degree in a related subject. The chosen applicants will study in the fields of environment, natural resources and energy.
Mr Bounseng Kannhavong, Director of the Planning and International Relations Office of the NUOL, said: "We do not have a specific number of scholarships available, but the candidates will be selected according to their ability."
The Institute has offered scholarships for graduates in Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. "They are giving priority to Laos right now," said Mr Bounseng. "They want to give more places to Laos, because there are only a small number of Lao students at the Institute compared to those from other countries."
At present there are about 55 Lao students studying at the Institute, and about 180 have already graduated from AIT.
"We don't have any overseas degree courses for study in Laos, but AIT is the leading institute in the region, and they have the best courses," said Bounseng.
AIT requires students to have a good standard of English, so that they can participate in classes. "Even if a student has a good bachelor degree from NUOL, if their understanding of English is poor, we won't be able to accept them,"said Mr Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Director of Promotion Activities at AIT, who came to Vientiane to oversee the interviews.
He said that applicants whose English was weak but who had an outstanding academic record could undergo an intensive language programme to bring them up to the necessary level. This is called the three masters reading programme and lasts five to seven months. "It is possible for some students to do this first, before embarking on their study courses," said Jayasinghe.
Graduates will spend two years studying for a master's degree and three years for a doctorate. "This is full-time study," pointed out Jayasinghe.
Members of the public interested in taking the interviews and tests to enter the Institute can request application forms at NUOL today.

Source: VT

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