​Cooperation in education, science and training remains a central and significant aspect of the bilateral relationship between Australia and Thailand with the renewal of an MOU signed by the Minister for Tertiary Education, the Hon Chris Evans and the Thailand Minister for Education, Dr Suchart Thada-Thamrongvech.

The MOU was signed by the Ministers during a leaders meeting between Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard and Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra during her visit to Australia on 28 May 2012. The visit was especially significant as it marked the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations and strengthened joint commitment to the growth of people-to-people links, trade and investment ties and shared interests in a prosperous and stable region.

Education is a pillar of the bilateral relationship between Australia and Thailand, going back to the early days of the Colombo Plan scholarship program, first formalised in 1991, with the signing of the first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two countries on education.  That MOU was signed between the then Department of Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (DEETYA) and the then Thai Ministry of University Affairs and promoted and supported a program of information, staff and student exchanges, collaborative research and development, and institutional links including joint degree programs.

An MOU with the Thai Ministry of Education, signed in June 1994 (and again in 2004), substantially extended that cooperation to the schools and vocational education sectors and provided for cooperation in primary and secondary schooling, technical and para-professional training, non-formal education, professional development of educators and distance education.

The 2012 MOU renews and reinforces the strong education and training linkages between Australia and Thailand.  This new MOU will encourage and facilitate cooperation between government, educational and training institutions through policy dialogue, information sharing and partnerships.

The two Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the MoU and subsequently, Prime Minister Gillard was pleased to announce the new Discover Thailand scholarship program which will provide assistance to Australians studying in Thailand, as well as partnerships between Australian and Thai schools to boost Asian literacy.  Prime Minister Yingluck underlined the importance of vocational training where Australia has expertise and best practice. Both sides looked forward to stronger cooperation in industries such as energy, mining, agriculture, hospitality and tourism.

Minister for Tertiary Education, the Hon Chris Evans and the Thailand Minister for Education, Dr Suchart Thada-Thamrongvech. Photo courtesy of AUSPIC Photography.