Dr. Suthep's PPT: Academic Success

Building Academic Success through Parents’ Involvement

Suthep Madarasmi, Ph.D.

EIS Parent

EIS Alumni

Assoc. Prof., Computer Engineering Department

King Mongkut’s University of Technology, Thonburi

About Me

EIS Alumni (Class of 1980)

Educational Background

EIS High school

Andrews University, USA (2 years)

Michigan State University – B.S. Computer Science

Michigan State University – M.S. Computer Science

University of Minnesota, USA – Ph.D. Computer Science

EIS Parent of 2 Boys (Grades 7 & 8)

University Professor – Head of Computer Engineering Department, KMUTT.

Software Business

Building Academic Success

Prepare for success in High School

Prepare your child to succeed in College

Help Choose a Career and Major

Help Choose a College and Country

Follow the Timeline - Placement Tests & Application Dates.

1. Prepare for Success in High School

Get Involved. Teachers have 25 students to teach, you have only 1-2.

Track progress in major courses weekly. Spend 2 hours per week.

Teach “How to Learn”. Help taking notes. Use Computers, Multi-Media, Group Study.

Set Routines for Homework.

Teach Time Management Skills. Reward good planning.

Focus on Math and Science. Get a Tutor, if needed.

Encourage Good Grades for better college choices

Get involved in PCEIS and Teacher Meetings

2. Preparing to Succeed in College

Take High-School Courses needed for College such as Algebra II, Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, etc.

A child who does well in high school will do well in college, EXCEPT if there are adjustment problems due to increased independence.

Must hope they have developed:

Integrity. Deciding based on Values. Say ‘No’.

Good Study Habits and Routines

Time Management and Planning Skills

Student Developments in College

Developing competence

Managing emotions

Moving through autonomy toward interdependence

Developing mature interpersonal relationships

Establishing identity

Developing purpose

Developing integrity

Values Issues

Alcohol

Tobacco

Drugs

Sex

Violence

The Golden Rule

Respect Diversity: race, nationality, gender, and sexual orientation

Extra-Curricular Activities

Community Service

Student Representatives

Build Networks and Self-Confidence

Student Newspaper

Clubs

Sports

Religion

Part-Time Work and Internships

MUST HAVE GOOD TIME MANAGEMENT ABILITY

3.Choose a Career and Major

“ To be happy for life, love your work.”

Some universities allow students to enroll as “undecided” major, but choose a college such as Engineering, Business, Science, Languages, or Arts.

Choosing a major is complex, but guidance counselor can help by looking at your interests and career choices.

Do not pick an easy major or you will lose competitive edge, just like in business.

How to balance between what parent wants and what child wants?

Examples of Compromises

Parent prefers Civil Engineering, Child prefers Artistic field. Choose Architecture .

Parent prefers Computer Science, Child prefers Artistic field. Choose Focus on Animation, or Packaging, or Printing.

Parent prefers Business, Child prefers Computer Science. Choose Focus on Management of Information Systems (MIS or IT).

Parent prefers Business, Child prefers Artistic field. Choose Advertising.

Parent prefers Medicine, Child prefers Engineering. Choose Biomedical Engineering.

Other Compromise Options

Some compromises can be made via –

Minors

Elective Courses

Extra-Curricular Activities

College Sports Team

Website Programming Club

University Newspaper or Magazine

Graduate School. Example MBA.

About 40% do not have jobs in their field.

Specializations for Thailand

Tourism

Food

Health Care

Education

International Investments and Manufacturing Bases

Energy

Infrastructure Development

Natural Resources only available in Thailand

Consumption within the Nation

Efficient Business Management

ALL REQUIRE GOOD COMMAND OF ENGLISH!

Choosing Professional Majors

Medicine (pre-medicine), Nursing, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine

Law (pre-law)

Engineering – i.e., those requiring certification

- Non-Professional majors have flexible career paths.

Choosing Engineering Majors

Civil

Computer

Electrical

Chemical

Mechanical

Industrial

Food

Environmental

Biomedical & Genetic

Choosing Business Majors

MOST BUSINESS MAJORS CAN BE DONE IN GRADUATE SCHOOL OR LEFT AS MINORS (BUT MBA MAY NEED 3 YEARS WORK EXPERIENCE). Better to focus on science/engineering, if possible.

Finance and Accounting

Business Management (even International)

Hotel Management

Business Computer

Marketing

Economics

Advertising

Choosing Architecture / Design Majors

Building Architecture & Design

Interior Design

Landscape Design

Construction Management

Fashion Design

Jewelry Design

Animation

Packaging Design

Choosing Science Majors

Medicine

Computer Science

Alternative Energy

Life Sciences

Medical Technology

Chemistry

Physics

Mathematics

Geography

Other Majors

SUITED FOR THE HIGHLY PASSIONATE

Psychology

Sociology

Political Science

Education – consider going Ph.D.

History

Language

Literature

Music

Performing Arts

Art and Craftwork

4. Choose a College and Country

Choosing Thailand or Foreign University:

Always Choose Foreign First for international exposure, independence, and confidence.

Less Flexibility in Choosing/Switching Majors

Worried about maturity? Choose 2+2.

There’s always graduate school

If expensive, can choose France, Germany, and Japan which have tuition waiver programs.

Preferred Countries

USA – roughly 800,000 baht per year.

Not as frightening as Hollywood movies: safe and not safe areas

Has low cost and high cost colleges, depending on region

Has Junior College (2 Year) system for transfers

Canada – similar to USA but 25% cheaper.

Has high quality

Has low-price options in midland regions, but COLD!

UK – roughly 100,000 baht per year

Australia – roughly 600,000 baht per year

New Zealand – roughly 500,000 baht per year

Better to choose “Melting-Pot” countries with great diversity.

If complete undergraduate studies abroad, masters education can usually be self-supported. Also, English is excellent.

Thailand International Universities

Business – Assumption University

Sciences – Mahidol University

Engineering – Sirinthorn Institute of Technology (SIT), Thammasart U.

Graduate School – AIT

MBA – Sasin.

Example Thai Universities with Some International Degree Programs

Chulalongkorn U. – accounting, IBM, communication management, economics, architecture, aerospace engineering, automotive design, information and communication engineering, nano engineering, applied chemistry

King Mongkut’s University Thonburi – computer engineering, civil engineering, computer science, architecture.

Kasetsart University – Aerospace Engineering.

ENVIRONMENT IS NOT TRULY INTERNATIONAL, BUT ACADEMIC AND TEACHER QUALITY IS HIGH.

CAUTION on Thai Universities

It only takes 2-3 faculty members to offer a degree program, so some universities offer degrees without having sufficient faculty members. All courses are taught by outside/part-time faculty members.