- Thai Cabinet approves UK universities’ entry into Thailand, allowing Manchester, Birmingham and Reading to operate under the Global Link Institute in Bangkok and the EEC.
- Initiative aims to bridge Thailand’s skills gap, strengthening human capital amid an ageing population and supporting high-value, technology-driven industries.
- Globally accredited UK degree programmes to be offered, in collaboration with Chulalongkorn University, focusing on biotech, data analytics, entrepreneurship and management.
The Thai Cabinet has approved a landmark proposal allowing three leading universities from the United Kingdom to establish a permanent academic presence in Thailand, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to prepare its workforce for future economic challenges. The University of Manchester, the University of Birmingham and the University of Reading will operate collectively under a new entity called the Global Link Institute, with programmes to be delivered in Bangkok and the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
The initiative has been designed to address Thailand’s growing skills gap at a time when the country is facing a declining birth rate and an ageing population. By bringing globally recognised British institutions into the Thai higher education ecosystem, the government aims to strengthen human capital and align education more closely with the needs of high-value and technology-driven industries.
Under the approved plan, the three UK universities will collaborate closely with Chulalongkorn University to ensure local relevance and academic integration. Together, they will offer three undergraduate and four postgraduate degree programmes tailored to Thailand’s industrial and economic priorities. The degrees will be fully accredited by the respective UK institutions, ensuring international recognition and academic standards.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), which proposed the Global Link model, said the initiative would act as a fast-track mechanism to upgrade workforce capabilities. Officials said the import of British academic rigour, developed over centuries, would support Thailand’s transition towards advanced sectors such as digital technology, modern healthcare and innovation-led entrepreneurship.
Each university will contribute expertise aligned with national development goals. The University of Manchester will lead programmes in biotechnology and entrepreneurship, aimed at supporting Thailand’s 'Modern Medicine' and life sciences ambitions. The University of Birmingham will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in data analytics and business analytics, which are expected to play a crucial role in strengthening the country’s digital economy and data-driven decision-making. The University of Reading will focus on integrated management education, covering both foundational and advanced business skills needed across industries.
Also Read: The Significance of Soft Skills in Healthcare Training
Thai officials said the selection of programmes was the result of careful planning to ensure graduates are 'future-ready' and equipped with skills that employers increasingly demand. The collaboration with Chulalongkorn University is expected to facilitate knowledge exchange, faculty cooperation and smoother alignment with Thailand’s education framework.
In line with a 2017 order issued by the National Council for Peace and Order, the foreign institutions will operate locally under the name Global Link Institute. Thai regulations require that overseas academic partnerships do not use the word 'university' in their domestic branding to avoid confusion over legal status. However, authorities clarified that the qualifications awarded will carry the full academic standing and global recognition of the UK parent universities.
Government representatives said the project reflects Thailand’s broader strategy to internationalise higher education while retaining strong regulatory oversight. By embedding world-class education within the country, the Global Link Institute is expected to help develop a skilled, adaptable workforce capable of sustaining long-term economic growth.
