Wintec strengthens ties with Thailand

Wintec senior academic Bill Charleston training teachers on using English as a medium of instruction (EMI) at Raja Mangala University of Technology Krungthep, Thailand.

Thailand aims to raise its English teaching standards to a global level and Wintec is there delivering training programmes to help them achieve this with the support of Education New Zealand.

With more than 6,000 students studying Wintec courses off-shore, international business development director Girish Nair says Wintec has the relevant experience to support Thailand’s goal to improve the quality of vocational education in English.

“This is a great opportunity to share New Zealand education best practice beyond our shores. We are proud to be part of the global education landscape and it’s exciting to be in Thailand as the country is going through a major transformation.”

Earlier this year, Wintec academics Robert Mclarty and Bill Charleston, have been working with Raja Mangala University of Technology Krungthep (RMUTK) in Thailand to train local teachers to use English as a medium of instruction and introduce them to contemporary teaching practices. 

“We were in Thailand for two weeks to deliver training sessions based on language and methodology. Then, our Thai student teachers got five weeks of online training with various assignments before coming to Wintec in New Zealand for a further two weeks to improve their presentation and teaching techniques,” says Robert.

To provide an immersive experience, the Thai teachers were hosted with Wintec homestay families during their stay in New Zealand. It is an important part of the programme, which allows them to learn more about the Anglo-Saxon culture and practice the English language on a daily basis.

Wintec also delivers a second professional development programme with the Thailand Office of Vocational Education Commission (OVEC) dedicated to teachers of local technology institutes.

Wintec academics Adie Haultain and Sue Edwards from Wintec’s Centre for Education and Foundation Pathways visited Thailand to conduct a three-week intensive training programme for 20 vocational teachers to upskill their English language.

“Along with the practice of teaching English language, Sue and I introduced contemporary teaching methods to our Thai teacher students,” says Adie.

“I really enjoyed working in Thailand. Our teacher students were very enthusiastic and receptive to the training. They also showed a lot of willingness to participate and get involved. We hope to develop an ongoing connection between Wintec and OVEC through this new programme.”

For some time, Wintec has had an excellent working relationship with Thailand. Wintec fashion design students and tutors visited the Raja Mangala University of Technology Krungthep last year.

Learn more about Wintec’s global activities:

• Wintec celebrates 10 years of friendship with Shimane University
• Wintec wins global operator award
• New nursing education promises a better future for Kiribati
• A world away from home

Wintec senior academic Robert Mclarty (right) with Knowledge Plus Education Services managing director Nuttapon Watanajarukij (left) training teachers on using English as a medium of instruction (EMI) at Raja Mangala University of Technology Krungthep, Thailand.




(Front from left) Sue Edwards (Wintec), Chortip Pramoolpol (Education New Zealand), Atthaphon Sangkawasee (Director, Bureau of Cooperation at the Office of Vocational Education Commission), Adie Haultain (Wintec) and Wanyoot Jitsamut (Director, Thonburi Vocational College) and the OVEC teacher students.


Five Thai teacher students took part in a three-week intensive training programme for vocational teachers.