Thai university terms changed ahead of AEC

The Association of University Presidents of Thailand has passed a resolution to adjust the terms of 27 universities starting in 2014 ahead of the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) next year.
The Association of University Presidents of Thailand has passed aresolution to adjust the terms of 27 universities starting in 2014 aheadof the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) next year.

The new university terms are from August to December for thefirst term and January to May for the second one. Previously, the termswere from June to October and November to May.

Meanwhile,primary and secondary schools and vocational schools are unchanged. Thefirst term runs from May 16 to October 11 and the second from November 1to April 1.

The Association said the change at universitylevel aims to create conditions for academic personnel and students totake advantage of exchange programmes among ASEAN countries, and otherregions as well.

In addition, grade 12 students will have moretime to prepare for university entrance exams. The universities willutilise the gap before starting each new term to prepare students, forexample, by improving their language skills.-VNA

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