Building Academic Success through Parents’ InvolvementSuthep Madarasmi, Ph.D.- EIS Parent- EIS Alumni- Assoc. Prof., Computer Engineering Department King Mongkut’s University of Technology, Thonburi

About Me 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 Building Academic SuccessSuccess1. Prepare for success in High School

2. Prepare your child to succeed in College

3. Help Choose a Career and Major

4. Help Choose a College and Country

5. Follow the Timeline - Placement Tests & Application Dates.

1. Prepare for Success in 1. Prepare for Success in High School 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 2. Preparing to Succeed in College 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: 1. Integrity. Deciding based on Values. Say ‘No’.

2. Good Study Habits and Routines

3. Time Management and Planning Skills

Student Developments Student Developments in College in College Developing competence Managing emotions Moving through autonomy toward int

erdependence Developing mature interpersonal rela

tionships Establishing identity Developing purpose Developing integrity

Values Issues Values Issues Alcohol Tobacco Drugs Sex Violence The Golden Rule Respect Diversity: race, nationality, gender,

and sexual orientation

Extra-Curricular Extra-Curricular Activities 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 3.Choose a Career and Major 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 Examples of CompromisesCompromises 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 Other Compromise OptionsOptionsSome 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 Specializations for Thailand Thailand 1. Tourism2. Food3. Health Care 4. Education5. International Investments and Manufacturing Bases 6. Energy 7. Infrastructure Development 8. Natural Resources only available in Thailand9. Consumption within the Nation 10. Efficient Business Management

ALL REQUIRE GOOD COMMAND OF ENGLISH!

Choosing Professional Choosing Professional MajorsMajors1. Medicine (pre-medicine), Nursing,

Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine2. Law (pre-law)3. Engineering – i.e., those requiring

certification

- Non-Professional majors have flexible career paths.

Choosing Engineering Choosing Engineering MajorsMajors Civil Computer Electrical Chemical Mechanical Industrial Food Environmental Biomedical & Genetic

Choosing Business Choosing Business Majors 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 / Choosing Architecture / Design MajorsDesign Majors Building Architecture & Design Interior Design Landscape Design Construction Management Fashion Design Jewelry Design Animation Packaging Design

Choosing Science Majors Choosing Science Majors Medicine Computer Science Alternative Energy Life Sciences Medical Technology Chemistry Physics Mathematics Geography

Other Majors 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 4. Choose a College and CountryCountryChoosing 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 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 Thailand International UniversitiesUniversities Business – Assumption University Sciences – Mahidol University Engineering – Sirinthorn Institute of

Technology (SIT), Thammasart U.

Graduate School – AIT MBA – Sasin.

Example Thai Universities Example Thai Universities with Some International with Some International Degree Programs 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 CAUTION on Thai Universities 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.

This type of program should be avoided.

Find out about College Find out about College Research on College’s: Curriculum: degrees offered and content Faculty Members Size Focus – Research, Teaching, etc. Affordability

Parents should also encourage campus visits

5. Follow the Timeline 5. Follow the Timeline

1. Placement and Admission Tests

THAILAND: Admission-O, Admission-A. USA: SAT, SAT Subject, ACT, TOEFL UK/AUSTRALIA/NZ: GCE-O, GCE-A, IELTS

2. Help with Application Forms and Essays

Summary & ConclusionSummary & ConclusionTHINGS PARENTS CAN DO TO HELP:

1. Prepare for success in High School

2. Prepare for success in College

3. Help Choose a Career and Major

4. Help Choose a College and Country

5. Follow the Timeline - Placement Tests & Application Dates.