CHIVATXARANUKUL 307

Thanittha Kat Chivatxaranukul

Mr.Abel Cadias

English 10 / 1004

June 4, 2018

How Does the Name ‘Mahidol University’ Affect Students Enrollment at MUIDS?

Most of the students prefer good universities for themselves. The name or the

fame of the university is one of the main reasons that affects the students’ decision to

apply to universities. For instance, many students want to go to University of Oxford,

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University which are the top

universities in the world. In Asia, many students prefer high ranking universities such as

National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, and Tsinghua

University, too. Also, in Thailand, most of the students prefer high ranking universities

especially the universities which have good long history, for instance, Chulalongkorn

University and Mahidol University. In order to apply easily in high ranking universities,

all students are required to graduate from a qualified high school which will be easier for

them to apply to good university. The purpose of this research report is to find out how

the name of ‘Mahidol University’ affects students enrollment at MUIDS in order to

provide information about how a university name especially from the high rankings

affects education. The author uses eight academic articles from different sources, and a

survey to gather data. The name ‘Mahidol University’ affects students enrollment at

MUIDS because they believe that education has good quality and they will have a

successful future.

Mahidol University

Mahidol is one of the top universities in Thailand. Mahidol University is widely

known for its outstanding accomplishments in teaching, research, international academic,

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and professional services. Moreover, the ranking of Mahidol University is in the 295th

place out of all universities in the world. According to Ranking web of Universities

(2018), there are about 26,368 universities in the world. The first rankings of all

universities in the world is the University of Oxford followed by Massachusetts Institute

of Technology and Harvard University. Mahidol University has established over 100

years. Its origin is started from the establishment of Siriraj Hospital in 1888 by His

Majesty King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and after that, it becomes the hospital’s medical

school which is the oldest institution of higher learning in Thailand. Later in 1943, it

became University of Medical Sciences and it was renamed by H.M. King Bhumibol

Adulyadej in 1969 after his Royal Father, H.R.H Prince Mahidol of Songkla who is

known as Father of Modern Medicine and Public Health in Thailand. On 26 March 1986,

there was a permission on having an International section for Mahidol University called

International Students Degree Program (ISDP). At first, this program was taken on the

second floor of the MU Social Science and Humanities Building. In 1992, the program

had its own new building. The name Mahidol University International College (MUIC)

was officially named by Mahidol University Council. In addition, Mahidol University

International College is the first government international university in Thailand.

Mahidol University International Demonstration School

Mahidol University International Demonstration School is an international high

school which has a curriculum that is combined by Thai and American standards. The

curriculum of this school includes core subjects such as English, Math, and Science and

elective courses which will be career based electives such as, Business, Food Science,

and Mandarin. MUIDS is minded to the extracurricular activities as important as the

academic part. For instance, in order to graduate, every student must have at least 300

hours of learner development and 60 hours of community service hours. Mahidol

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University International Demonstration School is operated by Mahidol University. After

Mahidol’s Board of Directors knew the changing of international education, they

suggested Mahidol University to make its own demonstration school. Therefore, it is lead

to the creation of Mahidol University International Demonstration School or MUIDS

which the school will apply improved educational methods to prepare students for

university.

Survey Result

This survey was created to find out what is the reason why the students enrolled

at MUIDS. There are 63 responses in the survey which all the responses were from next

MUIDS grade 10. In addition, the survey has 4 questions. The first question of the survey

is asked about the school that the responding come from. The second question of the

survey asked about who decided to enroll at MUIDS. The third and the last question of

the survey is asked about how and did the name ‘Mahidol University’ affect the students’

decision to join MUIDS.

The first question of the survey is asked about what school that they came from.

The results of the first question is that, out of 63 students, there are 6 students from

Plearnpattana school, 6 students from Assumption College English program, 3 students

from St.Francis Xavier Convent, 9 students from Lertlah school, 2 students from Saint

Joseph Convent School, 1 student from Sarasas Ektra School, 1 student from Roong

Aroon School, 3 students from Satriwithaya School, 2 students from Amnuay Silpa

School, 2 students from Assumption College Thonburi, 2 students from Global English

School, 1 student from Samsenwittayalai, 2 students from Garden International School,

1 student from Assumption College, 2 students from Chitralada School, 1 students from

Satit Bilingual School of Rangsit University, 1 student from Sarasas Witaed Bangbon

School, 3 students from Yothinburana School, 5 students from Matthayom Watnairong

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School, 1 student from Baanploy school, 2 students from Saint Gabriel’s College, 1

student from Panyarat High School, 1 student from Suratthani School, 2 students from

Joseph Upatham School, 2 student from Potisarnpittayakorn School, and 1 student from

Demonstration School of Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University.

The second question is asked about the person who make decision to enroll to this

school. The result is that 46 students out of 63 students or 73% of students answer that

they decided to enroll to MUIDS by themselves, and 15 students of 63 students or 23.8%

of students answer that their parents decided for them to enroll at MUIDS. In addition, 2

of 63 students or 3.2% of students answered that they enrolled at MUIDS by both their

parents and themselves.

The third question is asked about the effects of Mahidol University on Mahidol

University International Demonstration School affect the student’s enrollment. The

results are that there are 36 students out of 63 students or 57.1% of students agree that

the name Mahidol University affected their decision to enroll at MUIDS and 27 students

out of 63 students disagree with it.

The last question is asked about the reason why the name ‘Mahidol University’

affects the students’ decision to study at MUIDS. There are 6 choices which are that

Mahidol University is a top university in Thailand, they think that they will gain a lot of
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knowledge, Mahidol University is the name of the late king, their parents convinced

them, they want to attend to Mahidol University, and the name Mahidol University

doesn’t have any effect on them. For the first reason, the students had chosen 26 times.

The second reason, there are 23 choosing times. The third reason had been chosen for 2

times. The fourth reason had been chosen for 7 times. The fifth reason had chosen for 17

times and the sixth reason which is that the mahidol university doesn’t have any effects

on their decision for 14 times. Moreover, there are some more reasons that students

answered. For instance, MUIDS is close to their house and MUIDS is one of the cheapest

International school.

Conclusion

This research report aimed to show effects of the name ‘Mahidol University’ on

MUIDS’ students enrollment. This research concludes that the name ‘Mahidol

University’ affects over a half of the students who took the survey. In addition, a survey

is also provided the reasons why the name ‘Mahidol University’ affects students’ decision

to enroll at MUIDS. This research recommends further studies on achievements and

successes of MUIDS’ students and alumni.

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References

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David, D. D., & Soo M., (2005, June). Academic quality, league tables, and public
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Mahidol University, (n.d.). Mahidol University. Retrieved from May 9, 2018, from
https://mahidol.ac.th/history/

Mahidol University International College, (n.d.). History of Mahidol University

International College. Retrieved May 22, 2018 from
http://www.muic.mahidol.ac.th/eng/?page_id=1068

Mahidol University International Demonstration School, (n.d). Mahidol University

International Demonstration School. Retrieved from May 23, 2018, from
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Mahidol University International Demonstration School, (n.d.). Student Goals.

Retrieved May 22, 2018 from http://www.muids.mahidol.ac.th/academics/goals/

Ranking Web of University, (2018, January). Countries arranged by Number of

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