The department, which is under the Communication Arts Faculty, hopes the course will increase the number of qualified journalists in the local media industry.

Admission to the course is by direct application to the department for Mathayom 6 students. Applicants do not have to apply through the Education Ministry's central university admissions system, but will have to sit a test set by the department. There are 10 places available for the academic year 2007.

The aim of the course is to seek and support students who are interested in journalism.

"We want to increase the number of people in the field. Many students are blown away from the mainstream of society to study in other fields. Meanwhile, there are many students who really want to study in the field but they are not able to overcome difficulties in the central university admissions system," said Pirongrong Ramasoota, the head of the department.

The department defines "Fan of Journalism" as a person who loves and realises the value of news and information and who also has a good awareness of society.

The course will focus on students' potential and interests in covering news more than academic knowledge.

Applicants must have at least a 3.25 GPA (grade-point average) in five semesters from Mathayom 4 to 6 and submit heir portfolio to a committee.

Portfolios have to contain a body of work that has been published in a newspaper or magazine or they might have other relevant skills such as designing websites or publishing a school newspaper or newsletter.

Applicants also have to sit written tests for some journalism skills. All examinations will be set by the department's lecturers.

Mathayom 6 students can apply for the course from now until end of this month directly at www.admission.chula.ac.th.