Welcome to the University of Wollongong

The Thai representative office of Wollongong University was founded in 1997 and mostly Thai students know the office because of word of mouth from current students and alumni. But this year the office is doing its own public relations work among Thai students to attract their interest in studying overseas.

"We found that most Thai students prefer to directly contact the university rather than go through agencies," says Dusada Nunta, director of the Thailand office of the University of Wollongong. "Students contact the office in Australia because they might not know that there is a university representative in Thailand. That's the reason why we want to present ourselves to the public."

There are nine faculties in the university. Two faculties, Infomatics and Science, are popular among Thai scholars. Among well-known Thai alumni are Bundit Ungrangsee who graduated in creative arts in 1993 and Panadda Wongphudee who studied for a masters in international business in 2000.

Now there are almost 200 Thai students in the university and about 80 per cent are studying at the graduate degree level. They sometimes gather for activities and consultative sessions. In total, 2,000 students are from overseas and 80 per cent come from the US because Wollongong has co-programmes with American universities.

"Some students might have only Thai friends and speak in Thai there. Some might have friends from Europe. I think it depends on them," says Kornnatcha Wittayatam, academic counsellor and UOW graduate in 2004.

In Australia, students spend three years for a bachelor's degree and only one year for a master's degree. Each year undergraduate students have to pay between A$29,600 (Bt828,800) and A$31,600 (Bt884,800) including living expenses and accommodations.

"Living expenses and tuition fees aren't different from studying at other universities in Australia. But it's quite different in the cost of accommodations," says Padhawat Charoenpit, assistant to the director of the Thailand office and a UOW alumni.

The university was given Australia's University of the Year award for two consecutive years in 1999-2000 and 2000-2001. It is a Top 10 Australian University and has received a five-star rating in seven categories: getting a job, graduate starting salaries, positive graduate outcome, generic skills, graduate satisfaction, overall graduate rating and staff qualifications.

The representative office located in Ramkhamhaeng 24 directly contacts the university for applications and to manage a visa and accommodations as well.

"I don't say you shouldn't go to study in a big city. But if you like to live in an education-city atmosphere and live in a dormitory, I suggest Wollongong," says Dusada, director and UOW alumni

Students who want to apply to the university must have at least a 2.5 GPA and all Thai students have to meet conditions for the English languages, even if they were international school students. Some might choose to take the TOEFL exam or to fly to the university before the opening of next semester to attend English courses. About 80 per cent of Thai students live there between three and seven months to attend English courses before the opening of new semesters in February or July.

"We don't block students," says Dusada. "Everyone can go to study there but it depends on them whether they'll survive. Even though we don't limit the number of students, we also have to recognise their success depends on them. It's not easy to study there. Parents should understand. We don't want complains about why my daughter cries everyday even if you say she'll survive."

The university is not in a big city such as Sydney or Melbourne. Rather is an Australian education city.

"Wollongong" in an aboriginal language means the sound of surf and is known among Australians as a city of education surrounded by the sea in front and the mountains behind.

"I believe a good environment and atmosphere supports learning. I often wake up in the morning, open the window and hear the wind blow. Look down at a park and read books. That's a very good experience," says Kornnatcha.

The university is 80 kilometres from Sydney. Students take about one hour if they want to have fun in the city.

"If on some days my friends and I have free time or finish class at 4pm and want to go shopping, we can take a bus to Sydney in one hour. And we come back at 9pm. It's not too far," says Kornnatcha.

For more information, log on www.uowthailand.com or send e-mail to dusada@uowthailand.com or www.uow.edu.au.

Suwicha Chanitnun

The Nation