An opportunity for SIUC students and professors to study and teach in the far east is in its planning stages, as negotiations progress with Thailand for an SIUC campus in the Asian nation.

Rhonda J. Vinson, executive assistant to the president for international and economic development, said SIUC has a license from the Thai government, and is in the final stages of negotiations with a private partner.

The branch is tentatively set to open in 1997, Vinson said, and will offer full four-year bachelor’s degree programs.

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Students from the U.S. will be able to study at the Thai campus, where SIUC staff and faculty will provide an education program paid for by the Thai government, Vinson said.

This is an opportunity for students to experience a very different culture, a great resume builder, she said. Faculty will be able to enrich their own experience as well.

Vinson said Puckdee Vithakamontri, an SIUC alumnus, is head of the private investment group which will work with

see THAILAND, page 5