#ThaiStudents

Australia continues to cement its status as a global education powerhouse, attracting a growing number of international students who are not only seeking world-class degrees but also life skills, cross-cultural friendships, and a gateway to global careers. New research and updated reports highlight how universities, policymakers, and students themselves are evolving to foster a thriving environment—while navigating challenges in academics, cost of living, mental health, and migration rules (The Economic Times).

Claims that artificial intelligence (AI) could soon replace computer scientists are deeply misguided, according to the latest research published in The Conversation. As anxieties rise about the role of AI in the future of work, particularly in technical professions, this new analysis by a leading academic in the field emphasizes that computer science expertise will remain indispensable for years to come (The Conversation).

The recent surge of generative AI technologies, such as language models and coding assistants, has sparked widespread speculation – including among prominent economists and secondary school advisors – that computer science degrees may be rendered obsolete. These narratives have gained so much traction that some Thai students are reportedly being discouraged from pursuing computer science or software engineering, with fears that AI will make these careers redundant.

As the United States grapples with shifting immigration policies and intensifying global competition, the future of its 1.1 million international students—and the vast contributions they make—hangs in the balance. Latest developments, including a temporary suspension of new student visa appointments and heightened social media vetting, have left international students anxious and universities concerned about the long-term impact on the nation’s educational standing and economic strength (Al Jazeera).

Recent moves by the US government, particularly the State Department’s decision on May 27th to pause scheduling new student visa appointments, have intensified an atmosphere of apprehension among current and prospective international students. The policy comes in the wake of several other restrictions, notably expanded social media screenings. For international students—such as a junior at Georgetown University recently interviewed—these changes have fueled anxieties about deportation or sudden policy shifts that could jeopardize their studies and futures.

An American high school counselor’s viral testimony about students’ “alarming lack of basic knowledge” has sparked renewed global debate about learning loss and declining educational readiness, with direct resonance for Thai educators and policymakers. This counselor shared their experience of students struggling with basic information—such as their parents’ jobs, their own zip code, or differentiating between “area code” and “county”—problems that would once have been unthinkable in high school settings (Buzzfeed). This anecdotal evidence is supported by mounting international research showing that, since the pandemic, gaps in foundational knowledge have reached crisis levels for a generation of students, including those in Thailand.

In a compelling narrative that is resonating with educators and families worldwide, a recent story from the Cap Times profiles a young student who overcame early struggles with English as a second language to earn admission to Harvard University—a feat achieved through perseverance, strategic educational support, and the transformative power of writing. Her journey, while individual in scope, shines a spotlight on the broader challenges and victories experienced by English language learners (ELLs) in education systems around the world, including in Thailand.