Published on Jul 22, 2004

Assumption University will next month officially open what is vaunted as one of the world's largest Internet-based integrated educational centres at its Bang Na-Trat campus.

Built at a cost of Bt500 million, the centre is dominated by the 10-storey, 10,000-square-metre Srisakdi Charmonman IT building and College of Internet Distance Education that will provide accredited degree programmes and short courses to an estimated 100,000 students per year.

Internet College chairman Prof Srisakdi Charmonman said the building, equipped with 2,000 computer terminals, could fulfil a range of functions, including an incubator service for IT-related start-up companies, Internet radio and TV stations, a digital library, software certification and engineering services, and an e-commerce information centre.

"If you're interested in setting up an IT-related business, you could just come here with a briefcase and plenty of ideas, rent a space, and all the backup services, including a secretary, will be provided at a relatively cheap rate.

"We hope to support as many start-ups as possible, including those initiated by students, faculty members. One condition is that once a start-up starts to make a profit, say exceeding Bt10 million yearly, we prefer to have it move out so we can accommodate more newcomers," said Srisakdi, often dubbed the father of the Internet in Thailand.

Srisakdi said the centre featured 1,000 telephone lines and a sophisticated power security system to ensure that the Internet university and other facilities are accessible electronically around the clock.

On education services, he said, the Internet university would provide short courses, certificate courses, bachelor's, master's and doctorate degree courses covering business management, information technology, science, engineering, sociology, among other disciplines.

"It will be a one-stop service for worldwide e-education for anyone, from anywhere and at any time," said Srisakdi, adding that some degree programmes will be offered in partnership with UK eUniversities Worldwide, Middlesex University, and Unitar (Universiti Tun Abdul Razak) of Malaysia.

In addition, the centre will dedicate some of its facilities to special training and development for the hearing- and sight-impaired, autistic children, pre-school children, and citizens aged over 60.

Nophakhun Limsamarnphun

The Nation