The highlights of 2 years of studying AUTO-TU in Pattaya campus of Thammasat School of Engineering (TSE) are a pleasant environment near the industry and the intensive course content. Students can learn the design of commercial vehicles. The course creates graduates in accordance with the government’s S-Curve policy to push Thailand to be a hub for producing electric cars. Although the world is driven by advanced technology, “automotive” has been a crucial vehicle that takes us to anywhere we want for centuries, including workplace, home, or tourist places. However, globally, automotive industry is transforming from gasoline power car to electric car. In the future, technology will advance to self-driving cars.
Automotive industry is Thailand’s no.1 export income source according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). In 2019, it was estimated that there are 1.1 million automotive exports. Therefore, in the future, the labor market needs people who have knowledge and skills in automotive engineering. Students from AUTO-TU, the Faculty of Engineering, TSE share their studying experience at the Pattaya campus in order to give inspiration to people who prepare for the entrance exam.
The teaching techniques of the teacher are excellent and there is friendship from friends in the course. Mr.Veeraphat Taweeprida, the third-year student of AUTO-TU, the Faculty of Engineering, TSE, Thammasat University tells us about his beginning of studying in AUTO-TU, the Faculty of Engineering, TU. He says that the automotive industry in Thailand is more likely to be a high potential market and a fast-growing industry in the future. However, the labor market cannot serve the demand of the industry. Therefore, I decided to study Automotive Engineering as the industry is currently transforming to electric cars and intelligent cars which are regarded as a level-up technology in the world.
AUTO-TU courses are outstanding and interesting as we conduct class in a student-centered manner. We also focus on student self-learning and work-integrated learning. During the second and the third year, students will get a chance to do an internship at our alliance and domestic and international world-class industries and companies. The internship lasts for 2 – 3 months. When students are in their second semester of the fourth year, they can do research on the topic they want or the topic their teachers assign. They also can choose to work in our partnership company.
Mr.Veeraphat also says that “AUTO-TU requires 4 years of studying. Students will study at the Rangsit campus in the first two years. Later, in the last two years, they will study at the Pattaya campus. The learning environment is open for students as they can express their opinion freely without right or wrong. When I study at the Pattaya campus, I am impressed with the intense course content. Professors always guide us during the two years of studying. They encourage us to think in a big picture and the campus is equipped with laboratory rooms where we can research and learn. Therefore, we have a priceless AUTO-TU learning experience at the Pattaya campus. There are good friendships, excellent teaching techniques, freedom of expression, and social life learning. These elements make us grow up. Therefore, studying at TU widens my world. I also got a scholarship from Siam Motor Group Company to do an internship in Thailand for 2 weeks and in Japan for 2 weeks.”
“For me, my life goal is to work in an automotive engineering field and chase my dream. After I graduate, I have to work at Siam Motor Group Company for 3 years. I would like to use my knowledge and internship experience in Japan about developing electric cars or self-driving cars to elevate the automotive industry to have competitiveness for global competition and create income for the country,” says Mr Veeraphat.
“Pattaya campus” is seen as a small-sized factory for practical practice. Mr.Katan Chansaenvilai, the third-year student of AUTO-TU, the Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University (TSE), talks about his decision of studying in AUTO-TU. He says that he has been compassionate about cars and mechanics since he was young. When he studied here, he learned about automotive technology and the production process. Pattaya campus is equipped with advanced learning tools so students can apply what they learn in theory to a practical practice. It enhances student’s skills to work in a real working world.
“Pattaya campus has a large area which is like a small-sized automotive factory. There are mechanical robot arms, forklifts, and cranes. I think the campus is well-equipped with modern facilities. Learning method focuses on students’ freedom of expression. In terms of the environment, I think it is a good place, the weather is nice as the place is surrounded by the mountains. In another point, students get a chance to observe an automotive factory in Thailand that is mostly located in Chonburi. It fulfills our learning experience.” says Mr Chansaenvilai.
After graduation, I aim to use what I have learned in theory and practice for 4 years to work in an automotive engineering industry. My main 2 fields that I dreamed of are being an automotive engineer and designing automotive parts. If I have an opportunity, I would like to study abroad in Germany as it is a high-technology automotive country. For my English skill, I don’t think it would be my obstacle to work in an international company or study abroad as AUTO-TU is a course under TEP-TEPE program which conducts in English. Therefore, every student has a good English communication skill.
Assoc.Dr.Thee Chiasiripongkul, Director of the Faculty of Engineering, TU or TSE, reveals that the automotive industry is our crucial foundation of economic development. Currently, the industry accounts for 5.8% of the overall GDP. According to the government strategy goal, the automotive industry will be one of the tenth S-Curve industries that will drive the industry to a modern electric car producing industry. TSE launches AUTO-TU course and instills students with the notion “beyond engineering” in order to build the potential graduates to the automotive industry and push Thailand to be an automotive producing hub in the future.
Learning at AUTO-TU focuses on mechanical engineering knowledge as a foundation. For example, the courses are Thermodynamics, Fluid Dynamics, and Mechanical Vibration. It includes automotive courses like Design of Commercial Vehicles and Management of Automotive Manufacturing Process under TEP-TEPE program which are conducted in the English language. TSE also offers V-TECH course which is a new course on automotive technology that is conducted in the Thai language. The course focuses on work-integrated learning and real work practice in automotive and technology companies. This course will conduct learning in Pattaya campus for 4 years. “We focus on Work Integrated Learning: WIL which is an Experimental Learning. Students in this course will get an opportunity to get real work experience and apply their knowledge into work before they graduate.”
This is a good opportunity for students as TSE gives away scholarships for TEP-TEPE programs. For those who are interested, they can apply for scholarships by submitting their scores through the TCAS system (the application for scholarship might change in the next year). The scholarship includes tuition fees and other fees. There are partial and full scholarships. Students can get their scholarships in the next year if they can keep their academic scores according to the conditions of the faculty. The second-year students have to maintain their GPA more than 2.5. Students can get scholarships for more than 450,000 Baht from Siam Motors Group if they get selected from the company’s committee. They also can work with the company for 3 years after graduation.
All in all, AUTO-TU and V-TECH courses will be opened for admission through 2 rounds of TCAS system as follows.
The third admission round: 1st round during 17-27 April 2020. Apply at Aranyaprathet District, Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chonburi, Prajeenburi, Trat, and Srakaew province on www.mytcas.com.
The fourth admission round: 2nd round during 7-20 May 2020. Apply on www.mytcas.com and follow the Faculty of Engineering’s activity on www.facebook.com/ENGR.THAMMASAT or website: www.engr.tu.ac.th