Mahidol University Question

[TotallyOz]

A friend from NYC just got accepted into Mahidol University in Bangkok. He asked me about it and I didn't know anything to share with him. I did google it and it says it is one of the best if not the best in Thailand.

 

However, for someone who wants to be in academia I am not sure how much a degree from a foreign university will help them with jobs in the USA. Perhaps I am wrong but most of the professors I know tend to frown on foreign degrees.

 

Any info on this place?

[ChristianPFC]

Mahidol has a large campus in Salaya, which is in Nakhon Phathom province, your friend should check carefully where exactly he is supposed to work. Chulalongkorn University is largely regarded as the best university in Thailand.

 

Will your friend be working in teaching, research or will he continue studies? I did research for one year in Thailand, and my degree and work experience from Europe were fully accepted.

[Alexx]

However, for someone who wants to be in academia I am not sure how much a degree from a foreign university will help them with jobs in the USA. Perhaps I am wrong but most of the professors I know tend to frown on foreign degrees.

I think you've summed it up.

 

Mahidol University is indeed one of the best universities in Thailand. There are several different rankings, some also specific to certain faculties. Mahidol University can usually be found somewhere at the top.

 

That said, I think it's fair to comment that degrees from any Thai university (including the best ones) have a fairly dubious reputation outside Thailand, and in Western countries in particular. Both in academia and in Corporate America, having a degree from a foreign university makes you a more interesting candidate at first glance. However, at second glance, the question where this degree is from comes into play. A prestigious UK or Continental Europe university will then look much better than even the best Thai university, that's for sure.

 

Studying in Thailand is more a lifestyle thingy for those who aren't Thai. If you're really after academic achievements, it's not the place to study. There are some notable exceptions, however, rabies research comes to mind. Also, I know quite some people who came for just a term or a year as part of an exchange program. That's great, because they could enjoy the lifestyle and got a degree from their home university nevertheless.