Press Release

Scholarships for Indian Studies Program, PridiBanomyong International College, Thammasat University

Ambassador of India to Thailand, H. E. Mr. Bhagwant Singh Bishnoi hosted a dinner at India House today on the occasion of handing over of scholarships raised by the Indian Community in Thailand for students of the India Studies Program at Thammasat University.
The prestigious PridiBanomyong International College atThammasat University initiated a Bachelor’s degree in Indian Studies in 2013.  This is the first programme of its kind in Thailand, and seeks to create a corpus of expertise and knowledge among young Thais on India, its economy, polity, philosophy, languages and culture. The Indian Studies programme encompasses proficiency in Hindi and involves a semester’s exposure with a leading University in India.
In the initial years of its existence, the programme has succeeded in generating significant interest in student and academic circles in Thailand.  However, being at a nascent stage, it required further nurturing by way of funding and support. As an international course the fees for this program is three times higher compared to the regular bachelors program at Thammasat University. The Government of India, through the Embassy of India Bangkok,provided support for the students by way of scholarships to reduce their financialliabilityin undertaking the programme.  From the current year,business leaders from the Indian community in Thailand have come forward to support the students and raised 20 scholarships for the students which will cover their Bachelors’s program. These scholarships have been planned with the aim to provide sustained funding and support through institutionalized scholarships and mentorship from corporate houses and community associations. The scholarships are expected to contribute to the larger vision of creation of human resource in Thailand with deep knowledge and insight on India that wouldfurther strengthen India-Thailand relations.
In the presence of the Ambassador, 20 business houses from the Indian community in Thailand handed over their scholarships to the Rector of Thammasat University, marking a new milestone in the history of India Studies Program at the Thammasat University.
The Embassy of India is very much thankful to the Indian community, which always acted as a golden bridge between India and Thailand, for its generous and visionary gesture and hopes that this program continues on sustainable basis. Young friends of Thailand are requested to make full use of this opportunity to join India Studies Program at Thammasat University.
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29 July 2016
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