RSU offers new online courses

"We decided to go for courses that are still scarce in our country. We still lack leaders and finding good teachers is still a big problem here," says Dr Arthit Ourairat, the president of Rangsit University.

"Besides, this will also give everyone an educational opportunity. People can study any where, at any time and pay a lot less than they would at a university."

The university decided to add these two new programmes to its curriculum after its first online bachelor's in Law, launched last year, became a huge success. The new programmes are set to kick off in the upcoming semester.

The curriculum for the courses are the same as the regular programmes. The only difference is that instead of being in a classroom, the students and teachers will communicate through online or offline messaging and videoconferencing.

"The programme doesn't expect to create political leaders or a prime minister, but leaders in all levels of society such as family, organisation and community," says Witayakorn Chiengkul, dean of the university's College of Social Innovation.

According to Witayakorn, in the leadership programme, students will learn to focus on analysing and learning everything there is to know about society, business and political issues. This way, the students can get an insight into what makes the country tick.

"For the Education Administration course, the university has realised that education is the main factor in helping Thailand get through any crisis. So, if we have good educators, our country will become better," says Wichai Tansiri, former deputy education minister.

The lessons will be uploaded onto the webpages and students can log in as often as they want. They can also have live chats with friends and lecturers logged on at the same time.

However, despite this constant online access, exams will still be held at either the university or the university's education centres, so students will have to leave home during the examination period.

"Online study is the next best thing for anyone who doesn't have the time to attend class. My study time varies. I log on as often as I am free and mostly it's late at night," says Soraphol Tulayasathien, an online bachelor's in law student.

Currently, there are about 100 students in the online programme. The university hopes to offer about 50 Internet-based programmes for bachelor's, master's and doctor's degrees in the next 10 years, and expects some 30,000 students to join up.

"The number of students is very satisfying," says Dr Boonmark Sirinaovakul, asst to the president of RSU Cyber University. "It is as many as the number of students who enrol for the regular law programme each year. Hopefully the new programmes will be equally welcomed."

In the 2008 academic year, the university will also offer courses in Information and Technology.

For more information, contact RSU Cyber University of Rangsit University at (02) 997 2200-30, extensions 3467 or 3650, or log on www.rsu-cyberu.com.

By Suwicha Chanitnun

The Nation