On 19 September 2019, Mr. Damrong Kraikruan, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, presented the financial contribution cheque of THB 300,000 to Mr. Sutham Boonmalert, Secretary of the Sheikhul Islam Office of Thailand, for organising the Orientation Programme for Thai Muslim students who receive scholarships from the Government of Egypt. These students will further their studies at the prestigious Al Azhar University in Cairo. Among those present at the ceremony were Mr. Wutthichai Thamaniyomkul, Deputy Secretary of the Sheikhul Islam Office, and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who witnessed the endowment.

 

Deputy Permanent Secretary Damrong and Mr. Sutham exchanged views on the promotion of education and the welfare of Thai Muslim students in Egypt. Both sides expressed their satisfaction that the Government of Egypt decided to increase the number of scholarships from 82 to 112 for the academic year 2019 – 2020 to cover secular curriculum, apart from the Islam studies. They concurred that efforts should be made to expand the fields of study for Thai students, with an emphasis on developing the students’ Arabic and other foreign language proficiency, as well as facilitating the students’ pursuit of higher education by certifying their secondary school’s credentials. On this occasion, the representative of the Sheikhul Islam Office expressed his appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the annual support to the Orientation Programme. The Orientation Programme for 2019 will be held from 28 – 30 September 2019 at the Training Centre of BMA Training and Development Institute in Bangkok.  

 

Since 2009, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Sheikhul Islam Office of Thailand and the Central Islamic Council of Thailand, have organised the Orientation Programme to prepare new Thai scholar students to adapt to the new study environment and living conditions in Egypt.